Donna Summer facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Donna Summer
Summer in a 1977 publicity photo for Once Upon a Time
Background information
Birth name	LaDonna Adrian Gaines
Also known as	Donna Gaines Gayn Pierre
Born	(1948-12-31)December 31, 1948 Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Died	May 17, 2012(2012-05-17) (aged 63) Naples, Florida, U.S.
Genres	Disco pop R&B dance Eurodisco post disco Hi-NRG
Occupation(s)	Singer songwriter
Years active	1968–2012
Labels	Oasis Casablanca Geffen Atlantic Mercury WEA Epic Durium Burgundy United Artists Island
Associated acts	Giorgio Moroder Brooklyn Dreams Paul Jabara Bruce Sudano Barbra Streisand Quincy Jones Bruce Springsteen David Foster Michael Omartian Matthew Ward Harold Faltermeyer Mickey Thomas Stock Aitken Waterman Liza Minnelli Bruce Roberts Omega Red Darwin Hobbs Ziggy Marley Musical Youth Westlife

LaDonna Adrian Gaines (December 31, 1948 – May 17, 2012), known as Donna Summer, was an American singer and songwriter. She became famous during the disco music era in the 1970s. People called her the "Queen of Disco" because her music was loved all over the world.

Donna Summer was inspired by the counterculture of the 1960s. She became the lead singer of a psychedelic rock band called Crow. In 1968, she joined a German version of the musical Hair in Munich, Germany. She lived there for several years, acting and singing.

In Munich, she met music producers Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte. They worked together to create famous disco songs like "Love to Love You Baby" and "I Feel Love". These songs made Donna Summer a global music star. She returned to the United States in 1976. More hit songs followed, including "Last Dance", "MacArthur Park", "Hot Stuff", and "Bad Girls". She also sang "No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)" with Barbra Streisand.

Donna Summer had 32 songs on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. Fourteen of these songs reached the top ten, and four became number one hits. She was the first artist to have three double albums in a row reach the top of the US Billboard 200 chart. She sold over 100 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling music artists of all time. She won five Grammy Awards. In 2013, Summer was added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Who Was Donna Summer?

Donna Summer, born LaDonna Adrian Gaines, was a groundbreaking singer. She was known for her powerful voice and for helping to define the sound of disco music. Her songs often blended pop, R&B, and dance music. She inspired many artists who came after her.

Early Life and Start in Music

LaDonna Adrian Gaines was born on December 31, 1948, in Boston, Massachusetts. She was the third of seven children. Her first time performing was at church when she was ten years old. She sang because the main singer didn't show up.

She went to Jeremiah E. Burke High School in Boston. There, she performed in school musicals. In 1967, she moved to New York City and joined a blues rock band called Crow. The band later broke up.

Summer then tried out for the musical Hair. She got a part in the Munich, Germany, production and moved there in August 1968. She learned to speak German fluently and sang in other musicals like Godspell.

In 1973, she married Austrian actor Helmuth Sommer. They had a daughter named Natalia Pia Melanie "Mimi" Sommer that same year. Donna later used a version of her husband's last name, "Summer," as her stage name.

Becoming the "Queen of Disco"

Summer at Van Oekel's Discohoek, 1974

While working as a model and backup singer in Munich, Donna met producers Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte. They formed a team, and Donna signed with their Oasis label in 1974. Her first album, Lady of the Night, was a hit in Europe.

In 1975, Summer, Moroder, and Bellotte wrote the song "Love to Love You Baby". A longer, 17-minute version of the song became very popular in dance clubs. Casablanca Records signed Summer and released the song. By early 1976, it was a huge hit in the US and Europe.

Summer in a recording studio in September 1977

In 1977, Summer released the album I Remember Yesterday, which included the hit song "I Feel Love". This song was a big success in the US and the UK. She also released Once Upon a Time, a double album telling a Cinderella-like story.

In 1978, Summer acted in the film Thank God It's Friday. Her song "Last Dance" from the movie became a hit and won her a Grammy Award. Later that year, her version of "MacArthur Park" became her first number one hit. Her live album, Live and More, also reached number one.

In 1979, Summer won three American Music Awards. She then released the album Bad Girls, which had major hits like "Hot Stuff" and "Bad Girls". These songs helped her have both the number one single and album at the same time on the US charts.

Beyond Disco: New Sounds

Summer performing "Bad Girls" during The Donna Summer Special, 1980

In 1980, Donna Summer wanted to explore different music styles. She left Casablanca Records and signed with Geffen Records. Her first album with Geffen, The Wanderer, mixed rock, rockabilly, new wave, and gospel music. The title track became a top 5 hit.

She worked with famous producer Quincy Jones on her next album, Donna Summer (1982). This album included the top ten hit "Love Is in Control (Finger on the Trigger)". It also featured "Protection", a song written for her by Bruce Springsteen.

In 1983, Summer released She Works Hard for the Money. The title song became a huge hit, reaching number 3 on the US Hot 100. The music video for "She Works Hard for the Money" was very popular on MTV. Donna Summer was one of the first African-American artists to have her videos played often on MTV. The song "He's a Rebel" from this album won her another Grammy Award.

Donna Summer performing at the inaugural gala at the Convention Center in Washington DC in 1985

In 1985, she sang at the Presidential Inaugural Gala for Ronald Reagan. Her album All Systems Go (1987) had the hit "Dinner with Gershwin" in the UK.

For her next album, Another Place and Time (1989), she worked with the British production team Stock Aitken Waterman. The song "This Time I Know It's for Real" became a top ten hit in the US and Europe.

Later Years and Legacy

In the 1990s, Donna Summer continued to release music and tour. She reunited with Giorgio Moroder for the song "Carry On" in 1993. In 1994, she released a Christmas album called Christmas Spirit. Her song "Melody of Love (Wanna Be Loved)" became a number one dance hit in 1995.

She also acted in the sitcom Family Matters in 1997, playing Steve Urkel's Aunt Oona. In 1998, she won her first Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording for a remixed version of "Carry On". In 1999, she had a successful live TV special for VH1 called Donna Summer – Live & More Encore.

Summer performing at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert 2009

In 2008, Summer released Crayons, her first album of new songs in 17 years. It reached number 17 on the US album chart. Three songs from the album – "I'm a Fire", "Stamp Your Feet", and "Fame (The Game)" – became number one hits on the US Billboard Dance Chart. In 2009, she performed at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert for Barack Obama.

In 2010, her single "To Paris With Love" also reached number one on the US Billboard Dance Chart. She continued to perform and record until her death.

Personal Life

Donna Summer in 2007, with husband Bruce Sudano and her longtime collaborator, Italian composer Giorgio Moroder. On the left, Giorgio Moroder's wife, Francisca Gutierrez.

Donna Summer married Austrian actor Helmuth Sommer in 1973. They had a daughter, Mimi, and later divorced in 1976.

She married singer-guitarist Bruce Sudano on July 16, 1980. They had two daughters, Brooklyn Sudano (an actress, singer, and dancer) and Amanda Sudano (who is part of the musical duo Johnnyswim).

In 1995, Summer and her family moved to Nashville, Tennessee. She took time away from music to focus on painting, a hobby she loved.

Her Impact and Awards

Donna Summer passed away on May 17, 2012, at her home in Naples, Florida, at age 63, due to an illness. Many singers and music industry professionals shared their sadness. Dolly Parton called her "one of the greatest voices ever." Barbra Streisand said, "She had an amazing voice and was so talented." US President Barack Obama said her "voice was unforgettable."

Fan memorial to Summer in the Castro District, San Francisco

Fans left flowers and tributes at her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. After her death, her album sales increased greatly, showing how much her music was still loved.

Donna Summer's work with producer Giorgio Moroder "changed the face of music," according to singer Marc Almond. She was a cultural icon and influenced many pop artists. Unlike some other disco stars, she successfully moved beyond disco into pop-rock. Her song "She Works Hard For the Money" became an anthem for women's rights.

She was the first Black woman to be nominated for an MTV Video Music Award. Throughout her career, she had 16 number one singles on the Billboard Dance/Club Play Songs chart. In 2012, her song "I Feel Love" was added to the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry, which preserves important recordings. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame called her "the first true diva of the modern pop era."

In 2018, a musical about her life, Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, opened on Broadway.

Concert tours

Discography

Filmography

Awards and nominations

See also

In Spanish: Donna Summer para niños