The “Queen of Disco” is gone. Donna Summer died in Florida yesterday after battling cancer for some time. She was 63. The star was one of the most successful recording artists of the 1970s and 80s, who managed to get many parts of the globe and the various generations jamming to some of her biggest hits. Those included She Works Hard For Her Money, Last Dance and Heaven Knows among many other songs. During her career she also won five Grammy Awards. She is survived by her husband and their two daughter.
Earlier the family released the following statement, “Early this morning, we lost Donna Summer Sudano, a woman of many gifts, the greatest being her faith. While we grieve her passing, we are at peace celebrating her extraordinary life and her continued legacy. Words truly can’t express how much we appreciate your prayers and love for our family at this sensitive time.”
Singer and friend Gloria Gaynor had some lovely words for her fellow disco diva: “I am deeply saddened personally for the loss of my dear friend Donna Summer. She and I have been friends for a very long time, we were both known as the ‘Queen of Disco,’ but Donna always referred to me as the ‘First Lady of Disco.’ A fine lady and human being she was. She will be missed dearly by her colleagues, friends and family. She not only made her mark in my heart as well as others, but she forever changed the way of how America danced and enjoyed themselves. She may have had her ‘Last Dance’ here on earth, but ‘Heaven Knows’ it is “dancing with joy for her arrival.”
Other stars have also sent their condolences. Billy Ray Cyrus said, “The more I watch the tributes to Donna Summer the more obvious it is what a HUGE impact she had on music and people around the world. R I P”. Elizabeth Hurley said on Twitter, “RIP Donna Summer. Thank you for the hours of joy I have spent dancing appallingly to your fabulous music.” La Toya Jackson said, “I Feel Love, Hot Stuff, Bad Girls, She Works Hard For The Money, On The Radio, Last Dance what a great contribution to music Donna Summer!❤”
An icon, a legend and a timeless star. May she Rest In Peace.
I’m sure this weekend’s Billboard Music Awards will honour the life of the late star. I’ll be up, as usual, covering the awards from my couch (One day I’ll be there) but for now we wait to see what Billboard has planned.
