Donna Summer was an American singer and songwriter, famously known as the "Queen of Disco."
Born on December 31, 1948, Donna Summer began her musical journey at the age of ten in church.
Summer's collaboration with producers Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte led to her first album, "Lady of the Night," in 1974.
Biography
Early Life
Donna Adrian Gaines, known professionally as Donna Summer, was born on December 31, 1948, in Boston, Massachusetts. She was the third of seven children in a family where her father worked as a butcher and her mother was a schoolteacher. Raised in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Summer's musical journey began at the age of ten when she performed at church. She attended Jeremiah E. Burke High School, where she participated in musicals and gained popularity. In 1967, she joined the blues rock band Crow, which led her to New York City to pursue a record deal. After the band dissolved, she auditioned for the musical "Hair" and moved to Munich, Germany, to perform in its production.
Career
Summer's career took off in the 1970s when she collaborated with producers Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte. Her debut album, "Lady of the Night," was released in 1974, marking the beginning of her rise to fame. She became known as the "Queen of Disco" and achieved numerous hits, including "Love to Love You Baby" and "Bad Girls." Over her career, she released several successful albums, including "A Love Trilogy," "Four Seasons of Love," and "She Works Hard for the Money." Summer's innovative sound and powerful voice earned her multiple Grammy Awards and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Personal Life
Summer married Helmuth Sommer in 1973, with whom she had a daughter, but they divorced three years later. She later married Bruce Sudano in 1980, with whom she had two daughters. A born-again Christian, Summer's faith influenced her music and personal life. In 1995, she moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to focus on painting and family life, stepping back from the music scene until her passing on May 17, 2012.
Legacy
Donna Summer's impact on music is profound; she set numerous records on the Billboard charts, including being the first female artist to score three number one singles in a single year. Her collaborations with Moroder changed the landscape of music, and she remains a celebrated figure in the disco genre. Summer's legacy continues to influence artists across various genres, solidifying her status as a music icon.
Collected from open sources (4) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Discography
Crayons2008
- 1.Stamp Your Feet3:38
- 2.Mr. Music3:14
- 3.Crayons3:21
- 4.The Queen Is Back3:30
- 5.Fame (The Game)4:04
- 6.Sand on My Feet3:51
- 7.Drivin’ Down Brazil4:43
- 8.I’m a Fire7:11
- 9.Slide Over Backwards4:11
- 10.Science of Love3:48
- 11.Be Myself Again4:20
- 12.Bring Down the Reign4:34
I’m a Rainbow1996
- 1.I Believe (in You)4:32
- 2.True Love Survives3:38
- 3.You to Me4:41
- 4.Sweet Emotion3:45
- 5.Leave Me Alone4:06
- 6.Melanie3:39
- 7.Back Where You Belong3:53
- 8.People Talk4:15
- 9.To Turn the Stone4:22
- 10.Brooklyn4:35
- 11.I’m a Rainbow4:07
- 12.Walk On (Keep on Movin’)3:50
- 13.Don’t Cry for Me Argentina4:28
- 14.A Runner With the Pack4:08
- 15.Highway Runner3:28
- 16.Romeo3:18
- 17.End of the Week3:39
- 18.I Need Time4:25
Christmas Spirit1994
- 1.White Christmas2:56
- 2.The Christmas Song4:12
- 3.O Come All Ye Faithful4:42
- 4.Christmas Is Here3:24
- 5.Christmas Medley: What Child Is This? / Do You Hear What I Hear? / Joy to the World5:18
- 6.I’ll Be Home for Christmas3:31
- 7.Christmas Spirit4:35
- 8.Breath of Heaven6:13
- 9.O Holy Night4:00
- 10.Lamb of God7:25
Mistaken Identity1991
- 1.Get Ethnic5:23
- 2.Body Talk5:01
- 3.Work That Magic5:01
- 4.When Love Cries5:19
- 5.Heaven’s Just a Whisper Away4:07
- 6.Cry of a Waking Heart4:38
- 7.Friends Unknown3:46
- 8.Fred Astaire4:42
- 9.Say a Little Prayer4:09
- 10.Mistaken Identity4:11
- 11.What Is It You Want4:43
- 12.Let There Be Peace3:59
Dance Collection1990
- 1.On the Radio
- 2.Try Me, I Know We Can Make It
- 3.I Feel Love
- 4.Our Love
- 5.I Remember Yesterday
- 6.I Love You
- 7.Heaven Knows
- 8.Last Dance
- 9.Mac Arthur Park
- 10.Hot Stuff
- 11.Bad Girls
- 12.Dim All the Lights
- 13.Sunset People
Another Place and Time1989
- 1.I Don’t Wanna Get Hurt3:30
- 2.When Love Takes Over You4:13
- 3.This Time I Know It’s for Real3:39
- 4.The Only One3:55
- 5.In Another Place and Time3:23
- 6.Sentimental3:11
- 7.Whatever Your Heart Desires3:53
- 8.Breakaway4:03
- 9.If It Makes You Feel Good3:45
- 10.Love’s About to Change My Heart4:04
The Dance Collection: A Compilation of Twelve Inch Singles1987
- 1.I Feel Love8:14
- 2.With Your Love6:06
- 3.Last Dance8:11
- 4.MacArthur Park Suite: MacArthur Park / One of a Kind / Heaven Knows / MacArthur Park (reprise)17:47
- 5.Hot Stuff6:40
- 6.Walk Away7:15
- 7.Dim All the Lights7:10
- 8.No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)11:43
All Systems Go1987
- 1.All Systems Go4:14
- 2.Bad Reputation4:15
- 3.Love Shock4:18
- 4.Jeremy4:41
- 5.Only the Fool Survives4:43
- 6.Dinner With Gershwin4:41
- 7.Fascination4:30
- 8.Voices Cryin’ Out5:20
- 9.Thinkin’ Bout My Baby6:18
The Summer Collection: Greatest Hits1985
- 1.She Works Hard for the Money4:37
- 2.Bad Girls3:58
- 3.On the Radio4:07
- 4.Stop, Look and Listen4:11
- 5.Last Dance3:21
- 6.MacArthur Park3:57
- 7.Heaven Knows3:25
- 8.Unconditional Love4:42
- 9.I Love You3:15
- 10.No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)4:49
Cats Without Claws1984
- 1.Supernatural Love3:35
- 2.It's Not the Way4:25
- 3.There Goes My Baby4:07
- 4.Suzanna4:31
- 5.Cats Without Claws4:24
- 6.Oh Billy Please4:56
- 7.Eyes4:48
- 8.Maybe It's Over4:45
- 9.I'm Free4:31
- 10.Forgive Me4:29
Summernight1984
- 1.Funstreet5:14
- 2.Little Mary3:07
- 3.Shout It Out3:38
- 4.They Can’t Take Away Our Music6:25
- 5.Back of Boogaloo3:45
- 6.Jeannie3:46
- 7.Nice to See You3:40
- 8.Na, Na, Hey, Hey3:50
- 9.Do What Mother Do (Spend Your Day the Funky Way)4:09
Walk Away: Collector’s Edition (The Best of 1977–1980)1983
Tracklist not collected yet.
She Works Hard for the Money1983
- 1.She Works Hard for the Money5:19
- 2.Stop, Look and Listen5:46
- 3.He’s a Rebel4:22
- 4.Woman4:38
- 5.Unconditional Love4:41
- 6.Love Has a Mind of Its Own4:16
- 7.Tokyo4:25
- 8.People, People4:19
- 9.I Do Believe (I Fell in Love)4:34
Donna Summer1982
Tracklist not collected yet.
The Wanderer1980
Tracklist not collected yet.
Bad Girls1979
Tracklist not collected yet.
On the Radio: Greatest Hits, Volumes I & II1979
Tracklist not collected yet.
I Remember Yesterday1977
Tracklist not collected yet.
Once Upon a Time…1977
Tracklist not collected yet.
Greatest Hits1977
Tracklist not collected yet.
The Greatest Hits of Donna Summer1977
Tracklist not collected yet.
A Love Trilogy1976
Tracklist not collected yet.
Four Seasons of Love1976
Tracklist not collected yet.
Love to Love You Baby1975
Tracklist not collected yet.
Lady of the Night1974
Tracklist not collected yet.
Gallery
Label
- Record label
- Geffen Records
- Record label
- Atlantic Records
- Record label
- Mercury Records
- Record label
- Epic Records
Achievements
- Award
- star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
- Award
- Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance
- Award
- Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance
- Award
- Grammy Award for Best Inspirational Performance
- Award
- Grammy Award for Best Dance/Electronic Recording
- Award
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Similar artists
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Also known as: Donna A Summer, Donna Gaines, Donna Summers, Donnna Summer, Donny Summer, LaDonna Adrian Gaines
Donna Adrian Gaines, known professionally as Donna Summer, was an American singer and songwriter. She gained prominence during the disco era of the 1970s and became known as the "Queen of Disco", while her music gained a global following.
All links
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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