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Remembering the Diva of Disco, Donna Summer
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The music industry is in mourning the loss of another legendary artist today. The “Queen of Disco” Donna Summer lost her battle with lung cancer yesterday while in Naples, FL. News of her passing has prompted an outpouring of support from her fellow artists and musicians including Caesars Palace headliner Elton John.
“Her records sound as good today as they ever did. That she has never been inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame is a total disgrace especially when I see the second-rate talent that has been inducted,” he said. “She is a great friend to me and to the Elton John AIDS Foundation and I will miss her greatly.”
Summer was a regular on the Las Vegas music scene, appearing numerous times with David Foster at his Mandalay Bay shows as well as in several of her own concerts throughout her illustrious career. The disco diva’s dent on the industry was impressionable and some even say she helped pave the path for such hit artists today as Lady Gaga, Pink, Katy Perry and even Madonna.
Even before her passing the Las Vegas show Legends in Concert at Harrah’s Las Vegas knew Summer was a talent that could not be forgotten having included her in their lineup for some years now as a celebrity impressionists performs some of her biggest hits. Perhaps with the news of her death, Legends in Concert will work in a bigger Summer tribute for the singer.
While Summer came to be known as the face of the glittery era of the 1970’s with a string of No. 1 hits including MacArthur Park, Hot Stuff and Bad Girls, she was first inspired by Janis Joplin. Her debut album came in 1974 and was appropriately titled Lady of the Night. The album, which was only released in Europe revealed her rock roots and paired her with producer/songwriter Giorgio Moroder.
A year later, the two released the controversial disco classic, Love to Love You Baby. At the time Summer was living in Germany and working as a stage actress. She had only intended for the song to serve as a demo for another artist to record. But the tune became Summer’s first American hit and is probably still the song many think of when they think of her.
After her success with Love to Love You Baby, Summer continued to rock the disco era and became the only artist to have three consecutive double-LPs hit No. 1, “Live and More,” ”Bad Girls” and “On the Radio.” She was also the first female artist with four No. 1 singles in a 13-month period, according to the Rock Hall of Fame.
Rest in Peace Donna Summer. Las Vegas will miss you.
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