Earlier today, after battling cancer, the 1970s/disco icon Donna Summer passed. There is no doubt, she is up there playing for the Big Man. This is a woman that knows “She Works Hard For the Money”.

Summers was born December 31, 1948, and after doing background vocals for legendary rockers Three Dog Night throughout the 70s where she met producers Giorgio Moroder (scores for ‘The Never Ending Story‘ and ‘Scarface‘, ‘Call Me‘ by Blondie, ‘Putting Out Fire‘ by Bowie, the list really goes on…) and Peter Bellotte. She eventually signed a record deal in Europe, releasing Lady of the Night as her first album in 1974.

Donna Summers would soon begin to represent everything that is the era. The embodiment of all things decadently glamorous, the passion of the times; her songs have the ability to take you on a wild fantasy and really tell a story. Movies play in your mind. Like a sorceress of emotion, she powered through hits such as “Last Dance“ (for which she would win a Grammy), “MacArthur Park“, and the paramount of the decade “She Works Hard for the Money“. 

To find her signature sound, Donna practiced imitating Marilyn Monroe’s cooing.  She would also spend time in the dark moaning and groaning to warm up her voice before sessions. Everyone has their way. Donna definitely had hers.

“God had to create Disco, so I could be born and be successful”

Donna Summer.

There is no way to even separate the era from this icon of Disco’s heydey. When love was in the air, and the nights were long and extravagant. Lights flashing, Disco’s last dance has yet to be played thanks to hits like Ms. Summers’. So while records may burn in stadiums, and the world reminisces on the last days of Disco, it really lives on in the talent, beauty, and grace, Donna Summers leaves behind to this day.

[Source]

DONNA SUMMERS

December 31, 1948 – May 17, 2012

+{THE EYE}+

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