Gloria Gaynor facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Gloria Gaynor
Gaynor in 2014
Background information
Birth name	Gloria Fowles
Born	(1943-09-07) September 7, 1943 (age 81) Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Singer songwriter actress
Years active	1965–present
Musical career
Genres	R&B soul disco post-disco
Instruments	Vocals
Labels	Jocida MGM Polydor Chrysalis Stylus Hot Productions Logic Radikal

Gloria Fowles (born September 7, 1943), known as Gloria Gaynor, is an American singer. She is famous for her disco hits like "I Will Survive" (1978) and "Never Can Say Goodbye" (1974). Her powerful voice and inspiring songs have made her a music legend.

Early Life and First Steps in Music

Gloria Fowles was born in Newark, New Jersey. She grew up with her parents, five brothers, and one sister. Music was always a big part of her home. Her father played the ukulele and guitar, and he sang professionally.

Gloria loved listening to music on the radio. She enjoyed artists like Nat King Cole and Sarah Vaughan. Her brothers sang gospel music together. Even though she loved to sing, Gloria was not allowed to join their all-male group.

She kept her dream of singing a secret for a long time. After finishing high school in 1961, Gloria started singing in local clubs. She began her recording career in 1971.

Gloria Gaynor's Music Journey

Starting Out in Music

Gloria Gaynor began her career singing with a band called The Soul Satisfiers. Her first song, "She'll Be Sorry," came out in 1965. Her big break happened in 1973 when she signed with Columbia Records. Soon after, she released the song "Honey Bee."

In 1975, she released the album Never Can Say Goodbye. This album was very popular in dance clubs. It helped introduce disco music to many people. The song "Never Can Say Goodbye" was the first to reach number one on Billboard magazine's dance chart. It also became a Top 10 hit on the main Pop Charts.

Her next album, Experience Gloria Gaynor, came out in 1975. Songs like "Honey Bee" and "Casanova Brown" were big hits in nightclubs. Her cover of "How High the Moon" also topped the US Dance Charts.

The Song That Changed Everything

Gaynor in 1976

In late 1978, Gloria Gaynor released the album Love Tracks. This album featured her most famous song, "I Will Survive". The song is about a woman who is strong and can get through tough times. It quickly became a huge hit.

"I Will Survive" was first released as the "B-side" of a record. This means it was not the main song people expected to hear. But listeners loved it so much that it became the big hit. The song won a Grammy Award for Gloria Gaynor. It is also listed as one of Rolling Stone magazine's "500 Greatest Songs of All Time".

The song was special because it only featured Gloria's voice. There were no background singers. In 1979, she released another album, I Have a Right. It included the dance hit "Let Me Know (I Have a Right)."

Later Career and New Beginnings

In the early 1980s, disco music became less popular in the United States. Gloria Gaynor released new albums, but they were not as successful there. In 1982, she became a Christian. She wanted to make music that reflected her new beliefs.

Her album I Am Gloria Gaynor came out in 1984. It featured the song "I Am What I Am". This song became very popular in dance clubs. It also became an important song for many people, especially in the LGBTQ+ community.

In the 1990s, disco music became popular again. This helped Gloria Gaynor's career. She also started acting, appearing on TV shows like That '70s Show and Ally McBeal. In 2001, she performed "I Will Survive" at a special concert for Michael Jackson.

Gloria Gaynor released a new album, I Wish You Love, in 2002. Two songs from this album, "Just Keep Thinking About You" and "I Never Knew," topped Billboard's dance charts.

In 2005, Gloria Gaynor and her music were honored. They were inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame. "I Will Survive" was also added to the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry in 2016.

Gaynor performing in 2012

Gloria Gaynor continues to perform "I Will Survive" around the world. The song remains popular with people of all ages. In 2017, she changed the lyrics of "I Will Survive" to "Texas Will Survive" to support people affected by Hurricane Harvey.

In January 2020, she won her second Grammy Award. This was for her gospel album Testimony. In 2021, she recorded a new disco song with Australian singer Kylie Minogue. She also appeared on The Masked Singer in 2022.

Gloria Gaynor released new music in 2025, including her EP "Happy Tears."

Personal Life

Gloria Gaynor married her manager, Linwood Simon, in 1979. They divorced in 2005. Gloria Gaynor does not have any children.

Discography

Albums:

Extended Plays:

Filmography

Film

Television

See also

In Spanish: Gloria Gaynor para niños

• List of artists who reached number one in the United States
• List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. Dance Club Songs chart
• List of best-selling singles
• List of Billboard number-one dance club songs
• Lists of Billboard number-one singles