Donna Summer.Photo:Rainer Binder/ullstein bild via Getty
Rainer Binder/ullstein bild via Getty
Donna Summer’s legacy as the Queen of Disco lives on.The singer — whodied from lung cancerin 2012 — influenced and shaped several genres of sound, starting with the dance music she defined in the 1970s and early ’80s. Summer’s high-energy hits blasted through the nightlife scene, first dominating charts abroad in Europe before sweeping venues stateside as well.As 2024Grammy Awardshonor Summer with a lifetime achievement award, look back at a young Donna Summer in throwback photos from her career’s heyday.
Donna Summer’s legacy as the Queen of Disco lives on.
The singer — whodied from lung cancerin 2012 — influenced and shaped several genres of sound, starting with the dance music she defined in the 1970s and early ’80s. Summer’s high-energy hits blasted through the nightlife scene, first dominating charts abroad in Europe before sweeping venues stateside as well.
As 2024Grammy Awardshonor Summer with a lifetime achievement award, look back at a young Donna Summer in throwback photos from her career’s heyday.
01of 10A New SoundDonna Summer.GAB Archive/RedfernsThe Queen of Disco initially made her name singing backup for the rock band Three Dog Night in the early ’70s. The gig got her in the studio and in front of impressed producers who offered her a solo record deal in 1974.Summer’s groovy debut albumLady of the Nightmade her an instant star — especially in Europe — though the best of her career was still yet to come.
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A New Sound
Donna Summer.GAB Archive/Redferns
GAB Archive/Redferns
The Queen of Disco initially made her name singing backup for the rock band Three Dog Night in the early ’70s. The gig got her in the studio and in front of impressed producers who offered her a solo record deal in 1974.
Summer’s groovy debut albumLady of the Nightmade her an instant star — especially in Europe — though the best of her career was still yet to come.
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Summer Time
Donna Summer.Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage
Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage
03of 10Hit MakerDonna Summer.Robin Platzer/Images/GettyShe soared through the latter half of the decade with several more monster hits; her songs “I Feel Love," “Bad Girls," “Hot Stuff" and her cover of “MacArthur Park” were just a few anthems that soundtracked the disco scene over which Summer reigned.
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Hit Maker
Donna Summer.Robin Platzer/Images/Getty
Robin Platzer/Images/Getty
She soared through the latter half of the decade with several more monster hits; her songs “I Feel Love,” “Bad Girls," “Hot Stuff" and her cover of “MacArthur Park” were just a few anthems that soundtracked the disco scene over which Summer reigned.
04of 10Decorated CareerDonna Summer.Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via GettySummer took home fiveGrammy Awardsover the course of her lifetime, starting with her win for best female R&B performance with “Last Dance” in 1978. She won her fifth and final Grammy for “Carry On,” her duet with longtime collaborator Giorgio Moroder.
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Decorated Career
Donna Summer.Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty
Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty
Summer took home fiveGrammy Awardsover the course of her lifetime, starting with her win for best female R&B performance with “Last Dance” in 1978. She won her fifth and final Grammy for “Carry On,” her duet with longtime collaborator Giorgio Moroder.
05of 10Lady of Many TalentsDonna Summer.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty"Last Dance” featured in the 1978 filmThank God It’s Friday, which starred Summer as an aspiring disco singer alongsideJeff Goldblum. In addition to the Grammy win, the song also took home a Golden Globe and an Oscar for Best Original Song.
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Lady of Many Talents
Donna Summer.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty
“Last Dance” featured in the 1978 filmThank God It’s Friday, which starred Summer as an aspiring disco singer alongsideJeff Goldblum. In addition to the Grammy win, the song also took home a Golden Globe and an Oscar for Best Original Song.
06of 10Raising a FamilyDonna Summer.Anwar Hussein/GettyBy the early ’80s, Summer was more than a singer – she was also amother to three daughters. She welcomed her eldest,Mimi Dohler, with her first husband, Helmuth Sommer, in 1973.Six years later, the couple split and Summer married Bruce Sudano, with whom she shares daughtersBrooklyn and Amanda Sudano, born in 1981 and 1982, respectively.
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Raising a Family
Donna Summer.Anwar Hussein/Getty
Anwar Hussein/Getty
By the early ’80s, Summer was more than a singer – she was also amother to three daughters. She welcomed her eldest,Mimi Dohler, with her first husband, Helmuth Sommer, in 1973.
Six years later, the couple split and Summer married Bruce Sudano, with whom she shares daughtersBrooklyn and Amanda Sudano, born in 1981 and 1982, respectively.
07of 10Strong-Willed SongbirdDonna Summer.Chris Walter/WireImageIn 2023, Summer’s youngest daughter spoke to PEOPLE abouther mother’s final yearsbattling lung cancer beforeher death in 2012.“My mom was always so strong and so direct about how she wanted to do things. I think it was the first time where she allowed me to step up and care for her in a different way, and receive it. We’re both really strong-willed,” said Brooklyn, who co-directed the HBO documentaryLove to Love You, Donna Summer.
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Strong-Willed Songbird
Donna Summer.Chris Walter/WireImage
Chris Walter/WireImage
In 2023, Summer’s youngest daughter spoke to PEOPLE abouther mother’s final yearsbattling lung cancer beforeher death in 2012.
“My mom was always so strong and so direct about how she wanted to do things. I think it was the first time where she allowed me to step up and care for her in a different way, and receive it. We’re both really strong-willed,” said Brooklyn, who co-directed the HBO documentaryLove to Love You, Donna Summer.
08of 10Beauty EmbodiedDonna Summer.Fin Costello/RedfernsBrooklyn told PEOPLE that the documentary — which was released in May 2023 — offers a glimpse into Summer’s personal world at home.“When you see my mom in those unguarded moments, she’s super funny, silly and very creative. Our life was, until the day she died, about creation,” the singer’s youngest said. “Everything was about creating a beautiful flower arrangement or a beautiful meal or a beautiful home. Her sensibility was as a true artist, always to be creating, always to make something more beautiful or more of an experience. And that was a constant throughout her life.”
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Beauty Embodied
Donna Summer.Fin Costello/Redferns
Fin Costello/Redferns
Brooklyn told PEOPLE that the documentary — which was released in May 2023 — offers a glimpse into Summer’s personal world at home.
“When you see my mom in those unguarded moments, she’s super funny, silly and very creative. Our life was, until the day she died, about creation,” the singer’s youngest said. “Everything was about creating a beautiful flower arrangement or a beautiful meal or a beautiful home. Her sensibility was as a true artist, always to be creating, always to make something more beautiful or more of an experience. And that was a constant throughout her life.”
09of 10Voice to RememberDonna Summer.Harry Langdon/GettyThe worldcollectively grieved for the disco iconafter she died, with mega music stars includingDolly Partonand the lateAretha Franklinpaying tribute to Summer and sharing how she influenced them. Beyond the music industry, then-PresidentBarack Obamaissued his condolences in an official statement.“Her voice was unforgettable, and the music industry has lost a legend far too soon,” Obama said. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to Donna’s family and her dedicated fans.”Barbra Streisand, who featured on the song"No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)“with Summer, shared her shock after hearing the news: “She was so vital the last time I saw her a few months ago. I loved doing the duet with her. She had an amazing voice and was so talented. It’s so sad.”
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Voice to Remember
Donna Summer.Harry Langdon/Getty
Harry Langdon/Getty
The worldcollectively grieved for the disco iconafter she died, with mega music stars includingDolly Partonand the lateAretha Franklinpaying tribute to Summer and sharing how she influenced them. Beyond the music industry, then-PresidentBarack Obamaissued his condolences in an official statement.
“Her voice was unforgettable, and the music industry has lost a legend far too soon,” Obama said. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to Donna’s family and her dedicated fans.”
Barbra Streisand, who featured on the song"No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)“with Summer, shared her shock after hearing the news: “She was so vital the last time I saw her a few months ago. I loved doing the duet with her. She had an amazing voice and was so talented. It’s so sad.”
10of 10Legacy Lives OnDonna Summer.Michael Putland/GettyThe2024 Grammylifetime achievement award isn’t Summer’s first posthumous honor. She was also inducted into theRock and Roll Hall of Famein 2013.
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Legacy Lives On
Donna Summer.Michael Putland/Getty
Michael Putland/Getty
The2024 Grammylifetime achievement award isn’t Summer’s first posthumous honor. She was also inducted into theRock and Roll Hall of Famein 2013.
source: people.com
