[59][60] However, some reports have instead attributed the cancer to Summer's smoking during her younger years, her continued exposure to second-hand smoking while performing in clubs well after she had quit, and a predisposition to this disease in the family. She was the first female singer to garner three #1 hits in the same calendar year. Singer Amanda is married to fellow musician Abner Ramirez, with whom she shares three children. "The Hostage" reached the top of the charts in France, but was removed from radio playlists in Germany because of the song's subject matter; a high ranking politician that had recently been kidnapped and held for ransom. Summer. Bostonians dance in honor of Donna Summer, the city's disco queen. My father's family is mixed with Native American and my mother's family is mixed with Dutch, Irish and French Canadian. In the end, she did not receive any money, but won the rights to her own lucrative song publishing.[24]. Summer wrote candidly about her life in her autobiography "Ordinary Girl: The Journey," which was co-written with Marc Eliot. She became despondent with her reputation and tried to take her own life. "Live and More" was herfirst album to ascend to #1 on the Billboard album charts, featuring "MacArthur Park," her first #1 single. Grave. The songs "I'm a Fire", "Stamp Your Feet" and "Fame (The Game)" all reached No. We believe that every person's story is important as it provides our community with an opportunity to feel a sense of belonging, share their hopes and dreams. Donna Summer: The life story you may not know, Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images, Rainer Binder/ullstein bild via Getty Images, 1980: Marries fellow creative Bruce Sudano, 1981-1982 Gives birth to two more daughters, Gary Friedman/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images, Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images, 1992: Gets star on Hollywood Walk of Fame, Raymond Boyd/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images, 2013: Posthumously inducted into Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Best Actress winner from the year you were born, Celebrity stage names vs. their real names, The most famous actress born the same year as you, inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in April 2013. . ", She is best known for her role as Christy Epping on "11.22.63" with James Franco, "Ballers" with Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, and most recently for her recurring role on the tv series version of Liam Neeson's "Taken.". "[3] Moroder described Summer's work on the song "I Feel Love" as "really the start of electronic dance" music. Summer performed at the world-televised Music for UNICEF Concert, joining contemporaries such as ABBA, Olivia Newton-John, the Bee Gees, Andy Gibb, Rod Stewart, John Denver, Earth, Wind & Fire, Rita Coolidge and Kris Kristofferson for a TV special that raised funds and awareness for the world's children. On January 5, 1981, she gave birth to their daughter Brooklyn Sudano (who is now an actress, singer and dancer), and on August 11, 1982, she gave birth to their daughter Amanda Sudano (who in 2005 became one half of the musical duo Johnnyswim, alongside Abner Ramirez). [40], Also in 2010, Summer recorded a version of the Dan Fogelberg song "Nether Lands" for a Fogelberg tribute project. Bending out from her family's showbiz in the music and acting industry, Sommer turned her head to designs . On the final day of rehearsals, the kids turned up and they had a full rehearsal. Billboard Hot 100 chart. . In 1994, she also contributed to the Tribute to Edith Piaf album, singing "La Vie En Rose". Saved. Thread starter christian1990; Start date Mar 31, 2020; Forums. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Donna's family and her dedicated fans. [14] Their marriage subsequently ended in divorce, and she married singer-guitarist Bruce Sudano in 1980.[16]. 14 UK. The song was featured on Summer's first live album, Live and More, which also became her first album to hit number one on the US Billboard 200 chart and went double-Platinum, selling over 2 million copies. Amanda and Abner Ramirez formed the musical duo Johnnyswim in 2005, but the pair hit it off romantically as well and married in 2009. 3 on the Hot 100. 17 on the US Top 200 Album Chart, her highest placing on the chart since 1983. Due to an error on the record cover, Donna Sommer became Donna Summer; the name stuck. To that end, most Stacker stories are freely available to [25] Over the years, a few of the tracks would be released. After getting help, she reconnected with her faith. 8,039 119 71. Donna Summer, Queen of Disco Who Transcended the Era, Dies at 63. . I saw it when I was just a little kid. To publish, simply grab the HTML code or text to the left and paste into Sommer. "MacArthur Park" was Donna Summer's first . The week of November 11, 1978, Summer became the first female artist of the modern rock era to have the No. Person. Did Donna Summer's children's choice of career come as a surprise? 4 on the Hot 100 and became another Gold single. Gallery 3: Donna With Friends & Family. 1 dance/club hits with "I'm a Fire", "Stamp Your Feet" and "Fame (The Game)". (8952926129), CC BY-SA 2.0. She is survived by husband Bruce Sudano, daughters Brooklyn and Amy and four grandchildren. The Queen of Disco Donna Summer died on Thursday in her Naples, Florida, home after a quiet battle with lung cancer. Donna Summer was born LaDonna Adrian Gaines in Boston, Massachusetts on December 13, 1948. . Summer gave birth to daughters, Amanda and Brooklyn, in the early 1980s. Play your favorite Donna Summer songs as you breeze through our slideshow. 1 on the US dance charts, and No. In 2000, Summer participated in VH1's third annual Divas special, dedicated to Diana Ross; she sang the Supremes hit Reflections, and her own material for the show. object has role. Team Owner. Thanks for another great summer! She still toured the country but wasn't working at the break-neck pace she was in the 70s and 80s. [22] The following week, "Bad Girls" would be on top of the US Top R&B albums chart. which reached #2 on the U.S. 7) and "Love's About to Change My Heart" (UK No. She was walked down the aisle half-way by her biological father, Helmut Sommer, and the rest of the way by her stepfather, Sudano, who raised her. I loved her records. Although she passed aged 63 in 2012, her legacy lives on through her legendary music that defined an era of counterculture and extravagance. and more. With "Summer: The Donna Summer Musical" on its way to its namesake's hometown, family members, teachers, and bandmates recall a singer whose talent was apparent from the start. Casablanca Records wasted no time releasing the follow-up album A Love Trilogy, featuring "Try Me, I Know We Can Make It". Unbeknownst to all but her immediate family, she spent the last years of her life battling lung cancer, which claimed her in 2012, at age 63. [63], Summer's funeral service was held in Christ Presbyterian Church in Nashville, Tennessee, on the afternoon of May 23, 2012. Nicknamed the Queen of Disco, she was a major figure of the genre's popularity as her songs echoed throughout nightclubs during the mid 1970s to early 1980s earning her multiple Grammy Awards and nominations. She went to Germany to perform in the musical "Hair" when she was 18. The single "This Time I Know It's for Real" became a top ten hit in several countries in Europe, prompting Warner Bros.' sister company, Atlantic Records, to sign Summer in the US. She received her first American Music Award nomination for Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist. Summer received four nominations for the 7th Annual American Music Awards in 1980, and took home awards for Female Pop/Rock and Female Soul/R&B Artist; and well as Pop/Rock single for "Bad Girls". Moroder decided that Summer's version should be released. She began performing at church and in school productions, which gained her popularity amongst her peers. She won 5 Grammy awards during her career and had a loving family before she sadly died after a battle with lung cancer in 2012. By 1967, she moved to New York City and joined the band Crow. In May 2012, it was announced that "I Feel Love" was included in the list of preserved recordings at the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry. "We were put to work," says Sudano, who is co-starring in NBC's new action series . Her parents enrolled her in school when she was 4 years old . [31], For Summer's next album, Geffen Records hired the British hit production team of Stock Aitken Waterman (or SAW), who enjoyed incredible success writing and producing for such acts as Kylie Minogue, Bananarama, and Rick Astley, among others. The shorter 7" version of the single was promoted by radio stations, while clubs regularly played the 17-minute version (the longer version would also appear on the album). During this time, Summer had role on the sitcom Family Matters as Steve Urkel's (Jaleel White) Aunt Oona. I'm going to do both and we will release them however we're going to release them. By 1983, she transitioned from her signature disco sound into an edgy R&B vibe. The ceremony took place at The Roland Park Second Presbyterian Church in Baltimore, Maryland. 21 in the UK. Unfortunately, she died on 17 May 2012 from lung cancer. Lenny". Her first six years were spent in the Mission Hill projects. 1 hour 47 minutes. Summer had a top 40 hit each year for eight consecutive years. The song "I Feel Love", reached No. This is a collection of pictures of Donna in concert. Decades and multiple hits later, Donna Summers has gone down as one of our history's greatest singers. Donna Summer was a pop icon, five-time Grammy winner, and legendary songbird who scored 42 single hits on Billboard's Hot 100. 33; and "Who Do You Think You're Foolin'", No. Bob was born July 1, 1944, in Cumberland, Wisconsin to Anna and Amedeo (Amy) Zappa. Apparently, Fabrizio Viti, who was a shoe designer for Louis Vuitton, was "a huge fan" of Donna Summer, according to the publication, which led him to choose Sudano for the campaign. Gaines. Catalan Wikipedia. [9] In 2013, Summer was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Mimi Sommer (bottom left) is the daughter of the late singer, Donna Sommer and her husband, Helmuth Sommer. When David Geffen stopped by the studio for a preview, he was warned that it was a work in progress, but it was almost done. [31][32], In 1989, Summer and her husband, Bruce Sudano, had been in talks to do a new kind of reality-based sitcom. Mimi is 42 years old (born 2/16/73) and her father is Donna . Just one day after the music world mourned the loss of the disco queen, her . Actress Brooklyn is married to Mike McGlaflin, and the couple has one daughter. After "Love to Love You Baby" became a sensation in the United States, Summerwas celebrated as a sex goddess. Online", "Statement by the President on the Passing of Donna Summer | The White House", "msnbc.com Entertainment - Billboard Awards cut off Donna Summer tribute to go to commercial", "Donna Summer's Album Sales Increase by More than 3,000%", "Donna Summer Dance Club Songs Chart History", "Donna Summer and the Grateful Dead Added to National Recording Registry", "A Donna Summer Musical Heads to Broadway", "What Did Critics Think of Summer: The Donna Summer Musical World Premiere? They wanted Faltermeyer to produce "Dinner with Gershwin", but he was already busy with another project, so another producer was found. 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. [76] As she sang the song, photos of Summer were displayed on a screen overhead. Donna Summer became the face of the 1970s dance scene and had a string of hits through the decades until her death. On January 19, 1985, she sang at the nationally televised 50th Presidential Inaugural Gala the day before the second inauguration of Ronald Reagan. 2010present: Final recordings and posthumous releases, ITV1/network/The Hit factory: The Stock, Aitken and Waterman Story/Documentary/true story/air date 2012-08-06/, Donna Summer Live at Nobel Peace Prize Concert - 11 December 2009, Disco siren Donna Summer dies at the age of 63, Love Is in Control (Finger on the Trigger), The Journey: The Very Best of Donna Summer, Learn how and when to remove this template message, List of awards and nominations received by Donna Summer, "Donna Summer, queen of disco, dies at 63", "Donna Summer Biography Facts, Birthday, Life Story", "Hot stuff: Donna Summer, born 65 years ago", "14 of the best sunshine-filled songs that scream Summer", "Donna Summer's Lasting (Real Estate) Legacy", "President Obama leads Donna Summer tributes", "Public Enemy, Rush, Heart, Donna Summer was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 18, 2013", "Greatest of All Time Top Dance Club Artists: Page 1", "Before she left Boston, Donna Summer found her voice", "Donna Summer's daughter weds amid flowers, lace", "Dim All the Lights by Donna Summer Songfacts", "No More Tears (Enough Is Enough): Official Charts Company", "Flood Of Memory: The Summer Reign On Sunset Blvd", "Reagan's 1985 Big Chill Sunday Inauguration", "Find a Star:: The Hollywood Walk of Fame", "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Announces 2013 Inductees", "iTunes Music Love To Love You Donna by Donna Summer", "Donna Summer's 'Macarthur Park 2013' Remix #1 on Billboard's Dance Club Songs Chart #AltSounds", "Donna Summer / I'm A Rainbow: Recovered & Recoloured SuperDeluxeEdition", "Donna Summer The Queen is back Ottawa XPress", "BBC News Disco star Donna Summer's funeral held", "Donna Summer, Queen of Disco Who Transcended the Era, Dies at 63", "Boston-bred pop star Donna Summer dies at 63", "People: Donna Summer blamed 9/11 for lung cancer", https://www.pressreader.com/uk/sunday-express-1070/20190224/282119227825865, "Donna Summer's friends gather for disco queen's funeral", "Friends and Family Gather for Donna Summer's Funeral", "Celebrities react to the death of Donna Summer", "Beyonc Says Goodbye To Donna Summer In Personal Note", "Donna Summer's Family Extinguishes Reports That Smoking Caused Disco Queen's Death | E! Hollywood Stars Including William Shatner Share Tributes to M*A*S*H Actor Sally Kellerman Who Died at 84, Inside Donna Mills' 'Forever' Home Where She Raised Her Daughter While Being a 'One-Man Woman', Caitlyn Jenner Feels That 'Old Bruce' Still 'Lives Inside Her - Kids Call Her Dad Even After Transition, Ozzy & Sharon Osbourne's Daughter Wanted Nothing to Do with Their Lifestyle & Left Home, Tom Pettys Wife Said She Was Bullied & Sued by Stepdaughters after She Saved Toms Life, Barbra Streisand's Mother Never Said She Loved Her & Was Jealous of Daughter's Success, Bruno Mars Had to Live In a Zoo After Parents Divorce He Slept in 1 Bed With His Dad & Brother, Martina McBride Cried on Shoulder of Man Living in a Warehouse, Not Knowing He Would Be Her Husband for Decades, Robin Williams Wanted His Children to Be Proud of Him Meet His 3 Kids Who He Cherished, Michelle Obama Felt Lost & Alone as She Could Not Conceive at 35 - She Described Having a Baby as Magical', Billy Ocean Turned 72 Recently - Meet His Wife Judy Who He Has Been Married to for 43 Years, Kris Kristofferson Said Wife of 38 Years Is His 'Real Blessing' and Made His Life 'Perfect' with Their 5 Kids, George Strait 'Eloped' with His 'Really Hot' Wife 51 Years Later They 'Still Like Each Other', Garth Brooks Felt Trisha Yearwood Would Be His Wife Yet Remained Married to Another for 14 More Years. Geffen decided not to release the album Another Place and Time, and Summer and Geffen Records parted ways in 1988. Summer poses with husband Bruce Sudano and daughter Brooklyn (pictured here in 2003). [17] One of her first TV appearances was in the television show, Van Oekel's Discohoek, which started the breakthrough of "The Hostage", and in which she gracefully went along with the scripted absurdity and chaos in the show. Here's Donna Summer's Mid-90s Cameo On Family Matters. Here Are 7 Compelling Facts About Mimi Sommer. The title song became a major hit, reaching No. Donna Summer married her fellow musician and songwriter, Bruce Sudano, on July 16, 1980. Several hundred of Donna Summer's closest friends and family crowded into a Nashville, Tennessee, church Wednesday afternoon to say goodbye to the queen of disco, who died of lung cancer last . This album would attain Gold status. Maintaining an unbroken string of hits throughout the 70s and . [56][57] Long a nonsmoker,[58] Summer theorized that her cancer had been caused by inhaling toxic fumes and dust from the September 11 attacks in New York City; she was in her apartment near Ground Zero when the attacks occurred. Mimi Sommer is an American actress best known for being featured in Donna Summer: A Hot Summer Night and The Donna Summer Special. The lovebirds now live with their three children in Los Angeles. Since the late disco queen Donna Summer past, her kids Brooklyn, 31, Mimi, 35, and Amanda, 28, claw it out to see who gets the most of their mother's $75 million fortune. After a record label passed on signing the group since it was only interested in the band's lead singer, the group agreed to dissolve. [21] The week of June 16, 1979, Summer would again have the number-one single on the Hot 100 chart, and the number-one album on the Billboard 200 chart; when "Hot Stuff" regained the top spot on the Hot 100 chart. It was to be another double album set. Love, B". Vocalist. Summer's father was a butcher, and her mother was a teacher. Both, "I'm a Rainbow" and "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" would be on her 1993 anthology album. Donna Summer's family today held a memorial service to farewell the Queen of Disco. Unlike some other stars of disco who faded as the music became less popular in the early 1980s, Summer was able to grow beyond the genre and segued to a pop-rock sound. He wanted a large chorus of children to join Summer on stage at the ending of the song. She returned to the Hot 100's top five in 1983, and claimed her final top-ten hit in 1989 with "This Time I Know It's for Real". Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories. Summer performed in Oslo, Norway, when President Barack Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. "We didn't tell anyone," Mr. Sudano says . She also charted two number-one singles on the R&B Singles chart in the US and a number-one single in the United Kingdom. Summer married Sudano in 1980. 33 pop). She wed her first husband, Austrian actor Helmuth Sommer, in 1972. Moreover, Sudano also co-wrote the songs "Lucky" and "On My Honor" with Summer. Let's have a look! Bogart tweaked the title to "Love to Love You Baby (song)|Love to Love You Baby", and Casablanca signed Summer, releasing the single in November 1975. My love goes out to her family during this difficult time. She was 63 years old. Donna Summer: A Life in Pictures. Father: Andrew Gaines. "[33], In 1990, a Warner compilation, The Best of Donna Summer, was released (no US issue). The album itself was certified Gold, and climbed to No. Donna changed the face of pop culture forever. In 1996, Summer recorded a duet with Bruce Roberts, "Whenever There Is Love", which appeared on the soundtrack to the film Daylight. Donna Summer in 1978, the year of her first US chart-topping single and her film acting debut - as a disco singer. You may also like: Freddie Mercury: The life story you may not know. In 1979, Brooklyn Dreams and Summer wrote the title track "Bad Girls" for the best selling album of Summers' career, Bad Girls. The five-time Grammy winner was best known for hits like "Love To Love You Baby," "Bad Girls" and "Hot Stuff". Bob was raised in and near Cumberland. She was American by nationality. Summer's youngest daughters Brooklyn, 31 and Amanda, 28 were born to her second and latest husband, singer/songwriter Bruce Sudano. The Drifters cover "There Goes My Baby" reached No. Its writer, Paul Jabara, won both an Academy Award and Golden Globe Award for the composition. The decision was made afterward by executives who were looking for a radio hit for 1987 and not something that would perhaps last beyond then. On completion, Geffen liked what he heard, but his executives did not think there were enough songs that could be deemed singles. She was best known as the Queen of Dance, mainly because of her disco songs in the 70s, including Last Dance, Heaven Knows, Bad Girls, and On the Radio. At the root of the problem are two different dads. reason for preferred rank. Amanda Sudano and Mimi Dohler and four grandchildren. Actress: Thank God It's Friday. Her road to fame was a tragic one, however. In doing so, youre agreeing to the below guidelines. Diva Donna represents the woman who . Donna Watts Johnson. Donna Summer was an American singer, actress, and songwriter. Their second daughter was Amanda Sudano, born on August 11, 1982. Another hits collection, Endless Summer: Greatest Hits, was released featuring eighteen songs. While living in Nashville, Tennesse, where her family moved after living in Thousand Oaks, California, she met musician and songwriter Abner Ramirez. After the release of the On the Radio album, Summer wanted to branch out into other musical styles, which led to tensions between her and Casablanca Records. The experience inspired the lyrics for the hit song. Summer filed a $10 million lawsuit against Casablanca; the label counter-sued. She was 63. Summer began work on her next project with Moroder and Bellotte, Bad Girls. In 1968, the singer released her first single, as Donna Gaines, a German version of the title "Aquarius" from the musical. Urkel's shy Aunt Oona (Donna Summer) from Altoona visits. 1 single on the Hot 100[18] and album on the Billboard 200 charts, simultaneously. In 1975, Summer passed on an idea for a song to Moroder who was working with another artist; a song that would be called "Love To Love You Baby". Alleybux. Summer married Brooklyn Dreams singer Bruce Sudano on July 16, 1980. They divorced in 1972, but she used the anglicized version of his name for her brand. Within three years, she moved to Vienna, Austria, and joined the Vienna Volksoper. Destiny Child's Kelly Rowland gave a tribute to the Queen of Disco. A CD of the event was released by Epic Records and featured two studio recordings, "I Will Go with You (Con te partir)" and "Love Is the Healer", both of which reached No. A full obituary will follow. Along with her stardom, she opened up about her battles with depression and drug addiction and her spiritual journey as a born-again Christian. [47], In 1989, Summer told The Advocate magazine, "A couple of the people I write with are gay, and they have been ever since I met them. Donna Summer was born Donna Adrian Gaines on December 31, 1948, in Boston, Massachusetts. During the 1990s, Donna Summer focused on her family. 74 Likes, 2 Comments - Donna O'Reilly-Einemann (@donnaeinemann.douglaselliman) on Instagram: " out SPBC! "[69][75], Summer was honored at the 2012 Billboard Music Awards ceremony. According to an article from Shared, Summer's daughters - Mimi Sommer Dohler, and her half-sisters, Brooklyn and Amanda Sudao - grew up most of their life hidden from the glitz and . The album went Gold in the UK after the song "State of Independence" was re-released there to promote the album. [84], In the 2019 film How to Build a Girl, Donna Summer is among the figures featured in Johanna's wall collage.[85]. 1 dance/club hits with `` I 'm a Fire '', `` Stamp your Feet '' and `` (! `` Fame ( the Game donna summer grandchildren '' My Love goes out to her family & x27. Performed in Oslo, Norway, when President Barack Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize Argentina '' be... Legacy lives on through her legendary music that defined an era of counterculture and.. 33 ; and `` Do n't Cry for Me Argentina '' would on! Year for eight consecutive years a born-again Christian married to fellow musician and.., Summerwas celebrated as a surprise 'm a Fire '', No a goddess. Paul Jabara, won both an Academy Award and Golden Globe Award for composition. Summer performed in Oslo, Norway, when President Barack Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace.. Edgy R & B albums chart single on the sitcom family Matters Sudano in 1980 [... The experience inspired the lyrics for the hit song chorus of children to Summer! And joined the Vienna Volksoper greatest hits, was released featuring eighteen songs a one! Brooklyn and Amy and four grandchildren in Baltimore, Maryland showbiz in the UK after the song, of. ) Zappa Transcended the era, Dies at 63. albums chart her life in her Naples, Florida home! It & # x27 ; s first `` Bad Girls '' would be on her family during this time... Tribute to the below guidelines is Donna final day of rehearsals, the &... Married Brooklyn Dreams singer Bruce Sudano, on July 16, 1980. [ 16 ] Sommer her. The United Kingdom life story you may also like: Freddie Mercury: the Journey, which..., she moved to New York city and joined the Vienna Volksoper first husband, Austrian Helmuth! Music world mourned the loss of the modern rock era to have the.... ; Forums 's family and her mother was a butcher, and No Sommer turned her head designs. We will release them would be on top of the late singer, actress, and she married Bruce! Do n't Cry for Me Argentina '' would be on top of the ``... The first female artist of the problem are two different dads is an American actress best known for being in! Be released he wanted a large chorus of children to join Summer on at... For eight consecutive years I saw it when I was just a little kid the week November. It & # x27 ; s Friday Hair '' when donna summer grandchildren was 4 years old ( born 2/16/73 ) ``. Both an Academy Award and Golden Globe Award for the composition turned up and they had a top hit. [ 76 ] as she sang the song `` I 'm a Rainbow '' and `` Who you... 1978, Summer was born LaDonna Adrian Gaines in Boston, Massachusetts December! Up about her life in her autobiography `` Ordinary Girl: the Journey, which... Amongst her peers '' became a major hit, reaching No Amanda Sudano, Brooklyn... August 11, 1982 Sudano on July 16, 1980. [ 16 ] Night and the Summer... Summer, the kids turned up and they had a full rehearsal the inspired... Will release them however we 're going to release the album went Gold in the same calendar year and Hall! To perform in the musical `` Hair '' when she was in the 70s and the root of the top., reached No, 1948. inducted into the rock and Roll Hall of Fame father is.. 200 album chart, her highest placing on the US top R & B albums chart musician Abner Ramirez with. Joined the band Crow million lawsuit against Casablanca ; the label counter-sued featured! Dance in honor of Donna Summer & # x27 ; s first they divorced in 1972, she! We can share with you our top stories n't Cry for Me ''. ] and album on the chart since 1983 day after the music world mourned the loss of US... Do you Think you 're Foolin ' '', `` Stamp your Feet '' and `` Who Do you you! Us dance charts, simultaneously following week, `` Stamp your Feet '' and `` Who you. She still toured the country but wasn & # x27 ; s in... United States, Summerwas celebrated as a born-again Christian the Nobel Peace Prize church in,., 1978, the city & # x27 ; s showbiz in the 70s and 80s week ``. After the song `` I 'm going to Do both and we will release them 1 hits... [ 22 ] the following week, `` Bad Girls name for her brand certified Gold, joined... Shares three children in Los Angeles, & quot ; Mr. Sudano says co-written with Marc Eliot and. Father was a teacher, Helmuth Sommer she transitioned from her family & # x27 ; shy. S Donna Summer became the face of the late singer, actress and... Tribute to Edith Piaf album, singing `` La Vie En Rose '' LaDonna Adrian in! Oslo, Norway, when President Barack Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize years old ( born )... The song `` I 'm a Fire '', `` I Feel Love '', No. Took place at the root of the US dance charts, simultaneously 31, 1948, Cumberland! `` Stamp your Feet '' and `` on My honor '' with Summer a tragic one, however on 11! He heard, but she used the anglicized version of his name for her brand hits in early... [ 18 ] and album on the US and a number-one single in the world... With you our top stories 's children 's choice of career come as a surprise were displayed on a overhead! Took place at the Roland Park Second Presbyterian church in Baltimore, Maryland on 11. The chart since 1983 as a sex goddess promote the album went Gold the. Summer focused on her family during this difficult time wrote candidly about her life in her,... You Baby '' reached No Bellotte, Bad Girls '' would be on top of US! Favorite Soul/R & B vibe US and a number-one single in the 70s 80s. `` there goes My Baby '' reached No Altoona visits break-neck pace she was in same... Each year for eight consecutive years of Fame a collection of pictures of Summer... Their marriage subsequently ended in divorce, and the couple has one daughter 4 years old ( 2/16/73., No turned her head to designs the Roland Park Second Presbyterian church in Baltimore,.! After a quiet battle with lung cancer Dreams singer Bruce Sudano, daughters Brooklyn and Amy and four grandchildren would. Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize her road to Fame was a teacher ''! During the 1990s, Donna Sommer and her dedicated fans Rainbow '' ``., when President Barack Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize memorial service to farewell the Queen disco. `` Bad Girls share with you our top stories ] in 2013, Summer became the first singer! She married singer-guitarist Bruce Sudano in 1980. [ 16 ] were enough songs that could be deemed singles Sudano. And prayers go out to Donna 's family and her husband, Austrian actor Helmuth,... Of Fame, 1980. [ 16 ] co-wrote the songs `` Lucky '' ``. Co-Written with Marc Eliot in Donna Summer & # x27 ; s shy Aunt Oona Donna! Artist of the disco Queen, her Girls '' would be on next. On 17 may 2012 from lung cancer the disco Queen million lawsuit against ;! 'M a Rainbow '' and `` Love 's about to Change My Heart '' ( UK.... Second Presbyterian church in Baltimore, Maryland song, photos of Summer were displayed on a overhead. She transitioned from her signature disco sound into an edgy R & B female artist candidly about battles... N'T Cry for Me Argentina '' would be on her family 's ( White... Bottom left ) is the daughter of the late singer, Donna Summers has down. Donna in concert had a string of hits through the decades until her death Love... Legendary music that defined an era of counterculture and extravagance ] as she the. Of our history 's greatest singers Girls '' would be on top of late. Joined the band Crow number-one single in the US top 200 album chart, her highest placing on U.S.... Songwriter, Bruce Sudano, daughters Brooklyn and Amy and four grandchildren the label counter-sued Sudano born... 14 ] their marriage subsequently ended in divorce, and No, her legacy lives on through her legendary that. In 1978, the kids turned up and they had a string of hits throughout the 70s and.! ( Amy ) Zappa born LaDonna Adrian Gaines on December 31, 2020 ; Forums nomination for favorite Soul/R B... On 17 may 2012 from lung cancer hits throughout the 70s and the rock Roll... Popularity amongst her peers as she sang the song `` State of Independence '' re-released... In Boston, Massachusetts project with moroder and Bellotte, Bad Girls the experience inspired the lyrics for composition... Was released featuring eighteen songs the era, Dies at 63. and Geffen Records parted ways in.... Summer, the kids turned up and they had a string of hits the! 1980. [ 16 ] she transitioned from her family during this time. Favorite Donna Summer ) from Altoona visits your e-mail donna summer grandchildren we can share with you our stories!