Remembering a Disco Star

Donna Summer age 63 is dead!

Like many of you, I morn the loss of Donna Summer. The news of her death yesterday first shocked and then saddened me. No one apparently knew she had been ill with Lung cancer other than her closest friends and family. I read a report which stated, Donna felt like she contracted the disease from breathing in toxic particles after the 9/11 terrorist attack in NYC.

Donna Summer songwriter and singer has charted 22 #1 hits over a 25 year period earning her the honorary title of The Queen of Disco. In 1975, I was a bit too young to recall the explosive sensation of this very smokin’ hot number.

But, I do remember it well by the end of the decade.

In 1979, Donna Summer topped the charts with count ’em…one, two, three, FOUR number one hits within a 12-month period. Three singles: “MacArthur Park”, “Hot Stuff”, “Bad Girl,” and one duet “No More Tears” with Barbara Streisand.

The 70s and 80s was a signature era for Donna Summer, and perhaps one of the longest uninterrupted musical streaks for anyone song artist. Other popular hits, which landed on the charts included: “Dim All the Lights”, “On the Radio”, “Enough is Enough”, “Last Dance”, and “She Works Hard for the Money” to name, but a few.

Donna Summer has an impressive stash of musical accolades with five Grammy Awards, six American Music Awards, three consecutive #1 platinum double albums (she’s the only artist – male or female, ever to accomplish this), 11 gold albums, four #1 singles, 2 platinum singles, and 12 gold singles. Donna is also the first female artist to have a #1 single and #1 album on the Billboard charts simultaneously (“Live & More;” “MacArthur Park” 1978) a feat she also repeated six months later (“Bad Girls” & “Hot Stuff” in 1979).

You will be missed Donna Summer, but your music will live on forever. Here’s my goodbye to you…

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