Yesterday we lost an unforgettable voice, Donna Summer. I remember being just a young boy and roller skating down my street with an 8-track tape player in hand. The disco beat of Donna Summer was the soundtrack. She introduced me to my love of dance music and ultimately the 12″ single. “Hot Stuff” was one of my first 12″ singles, and I think I wore my needle out playing it. I was shocked yesterday when I heard the news. It was so unexpected. Now somehow I understand that they must have needed her angelic voice in heaven.
Donna Summer was an Icon and Legend. She will never be forgotten. She will be missed.
I am planning more Donna posts in the coming weeks, once I am able to get some things prepared. In the meantime all of the archive links featuring Donna Summer have been restored.
Please feel free to share your memories of Donna.
– DjPaulT
Probably the very first disco-song I loved was Donna’s “I Feel Love”. I was a child and was mesmerized listening to the infectious bass and blossoming vocals.
R.I.P. dear Donna.
thank you
ALSO ONE MORE THING NO OTHER PERFORMER IN THE HISTORY OF MUSIC HAD THREE NUMBER ONE HITS BACK TO BACK THATS REAL WORK AND THAT IS TRUE SUCCESS AS I RECALL HER THREE NUMBER ONES WERE HOT STUFF BADGIRLS AND LASTDANCE SHE ALSO WON A GRAMMY AND HER ANTHEM SHE WORKS HARD FOR THE MONEY THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER ANTHEM LIKE IT EVER
SORRY YOU GUYS DONT KNOW DONNA SUMMER I SAW DONNA TWICE IN CONCERT HER BEST TRACKS WERE HOY STUFF BADGIRLS AND ON TH RADIO IF YOU WERE A TRUE FAN IT WOULD BE LASTDANCE BUT THEN AGAIN FOR ME IT WILL ALWAYS BE SHE WORKS HARD FOR THE MONEY AND DINNER WITH GERSHWIN SO THERE TODAYS GENERATION YOU BETTER PRAY WITHOUT DONNA THE MUSIC BUSINESS WILL NOT MAKE IT WITH TODAYS TALENT JUST BECAUSE YOU YOUNGSTERS HAVE ONE HIT DOES NOT MAKE YOU A HOUSEHOLD NAME IN THE MUSIC BUSINESS SO THERE YOU ARE ONE HIT WONDERS DONNA SUMMER REIGNED… Read more »
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I have wanted these digitally for soooo long esoecially Supernatural Love, Eyes and I’m Free. I am so thrilled!!!!! You are the best!!
I still cannot believe she is gone! She touched my life in so many wonderful ways. I am so pleased that our paths crossed and we were able to meet on a few occasions in NYC. Donna was also a muse to me as I wrote a tribute song and recodred it. It got a great remix by the KLUBJUMPERS and was released as a single in 2010. “Riding Home From Baltimore”.
Donna…I will love you always…there will always ba a you!
The Diva left us too soon, her voice will always remind us how precious she is.
I actualy regret the lack of some of her 12 on iTunes…
You regret lackng some her 12 on Itunes? What does that mean, Zig?
She sang on some great Moroder tracks, but also released some real dross. The right-wing Christian homophobic phased wasn’t great either.
The ”homophobic phase” was something i always read about and never heard really.
I don’t think that she done that for true. And if , so what – she later done so many things for Aids Foundations. And to be true i never believed that she was really homophobic. Paul Jabara who wrote ”Last dance” & Enough is Enough died on Aids. Do you really think she would spoke so bad ? As she sang – When people talk…..
That’s correct, Patric. A lot of gay people still harbor what Donna supposedly said, but the fact is, she made a public statement declaring she never said what was attributed to her. And, actions do speak louder than words. Her actions spoke volumes. I always say, if you weren’t there to hear Donna say what she was accused of then you shouldn’t buy into the hype. Some fan could have simply misunderstood something Donna said or just didn’t like the fact that she shared her Christianity at her concerts and they went spouting off at the mouth thinking all Christians… Read more »
Donna’s music was like the soundtrack of my youth…many may look down on the Disco era now, but it was a good time for me as a kid, just happy times. Being a kid, I wasn’t aware of the issues and complexities at that time; to me it was just good, danceable music, and Donna Summer’s music, from the theme song of the movie “The Deep” to “MacArthur Park,” “Last Dance” and beyond, kept the spirit of those good times alive. I truly mourn for her loss and am so grateful for her music. Rest in peace, Donna, and keep… Read more »
I just have to share this…a simply fantastic live performance of “Last Dance” for “Hit Man Returns: David Foster & Friends”, a one-night only special held in Las Vegas on October 2010: http://youtu.be/BKwU847Fh0s
If there ever was a fan of Donna Summer, it’s me. I cannot tell you how my heart is hurting since I heard the news that she died. I hope my heart heals just like the rest of you who are reading my comment. This was a voice that was truly sent from above. Sirius/XM Studio 54 was remembering Donna Summer pretty much 24 hours after her death and I got to hear many of her old tunes like “Walk Away”. Donna Summer left a Legacy in her name which is “Dance Music” and no one, repeat no one else… Read more »
A true legend. And as ground-breaking and fabulous as her disco-era recordings were, let’s not forget there was so much more to her than that. She could hit you hard on a raspy rocker like ‘Protection’ one minute then sooth you on a lullaby like ‘On My Honor’, take you to church on a gospel roller like ‘I Believe In Jesus’ and break your heart on a page torn from her diary like ‘Forgive Me.’ She never indulged in showy runs and empty acrobatics, her voice was pure and strong and when she soared she took your soul with her.… Read more »
Indeed, SpookyElectric. Donna’s voice was like no other. I too admired her vocal versatility. An actress approach to lyrics.
My own personal Donna Summer Tribute Mix can be found on Youtube at the link below. I put it together back in 1992. The sound quality is not great, but it’s listenable. I had a cassette deck and a mixer. Enjoy. I love you, Donna Summer, and all that you inspired in me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vumyKnH2ilc
Thanks for the link Paul – that’s a fantastic mix. I thought I’d post a link too – some readers might have missed this. It’s (as far as I know) Donna’s last appearance on UK tv from several years ago to promote one of the many Greatest Hits compilations her labels released over the years. She sat down with Jools Holland at the piano and just opened her mouth and this beautiful, timeless voice came out – as clear and strong as ever. Listen to the way she subtly varies her phrasing on the outro as she sings the chorus.… Read more »
I was 16-year-old gay kid in 1975 when I first heard Donna Summer. It must have been “Try Me, I Know We Can Make It” which they were still playing two years later when I was old enough to get into the gay clubs in Milwaukee (The Wherehouse, The Red Baron, Kisses, The Circus, Lost and Found, The Y.P.) and dance to it. Donna Summer’s new singles and albums were always an event. She’s one of the few artists I remember anxiously anticipating her new releases. “Once Upon A Time,” “Live And More,” “Bad Girls,” all double-LP sets, were all… Read more »
Iknew of Donna back in the late seventies when here in Australia we had a T.V. commercial advertising “4 n 20” pies and they used either the actual song of “HOT STUFF” or a cover version, but it wasn’t until the “FLASHDANCE” soundtrack which featured “ROMEO” that i fell in love with her.
Two days ago,we lost Donna Summer…today we lost Robin Gibb. Two treasures from my childhood – gone.
Thanks a lot for your nice works on Donna’s back 12 inches catalogue DJPaulT.
Her voice will haunt me till the end of my life. She is UNIQUE.
Alain
R.I.P. Donna Summer.
We shook hands briefly, at Diamond Awards Festival 1987 in Belgium. The first Time I saw You Live. Had wonderfull times enjoying your music all these years. You will be missed.
Could You please post the 2×12″ Power of One
I first read it in the net , when the message came through. First i thought it was a hoax. (a very bad indeed). But after a few minutes it was clear that Donna was really gone – forever.I burst into tears – that really touched me so much. I don’t know what was the first song of Donna i ever heard . But from the late 70’s until today i followed her career and bought everything i could get all over the world. A few years ago i had the chance to see her live concert in Berlin.What a… Read more »
It is a sad day when an original diva passes. I remember going to school disco and just lighting up when th DJ spun Hot Stuff. Me and my girlfriend at the time had lots of fun dancing to that song especially “Hot Hot Hot Hot Stuuuuuff”. That song was one of if not THE first crossover song combining a disco beat to a searing rock guitar solo 3 years before Michael Jackson & Eddie Van Halen. Ladonna you will be missed but never forgotten. Thank you Pau for reupping Donna’s archives. Time to get down.
siempre me fue grato proyectar la musica de esta reina , This Time I Know It’s For Real , fue mi favorita … vaya con dios.
I agree with you too. She introduced me to the love of dance music too! I am so thankful I got to meet her at her book signing in 2003. Unfortunately I never did get to see her perform live. But I cherish her music and play it regularly. Donna Summer and Diana Ross are the two women (divas) who instilled in me my love for music, thanks to my mom for playing them while I was in the womb, and a young boy growing up. 🙂
I hope you guys have purchased one of her last recordings on Itunes. It’s a collaboration with her nephew, O’Mega Red. The song is called “Angel”. It sounds like a tribue to O’Mega’s mother and grandmother (ie. Donna’s mom and her sister as well). Donna sings all the female vocals. Hearing Donna on yet another different genre track is awesome: rap. Now there’s another angel watching over us.
You can buy it on Amazon or on Itunes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmVvHlkTaRs
As a fellow dj & former Billboard reporter, I had the pleasure of meeting Donna when she stopped by my club & hung out in my booth for a while. I’ve been to several of her concerts & she was working on releasing an album of standards. I don’t know if she completed it before her death, but she performed several of the songs in her concerts. A delightful human being who will be sorely missed.
his music will live forever in the hearts of all his fans an unforgettable woman donna summer dj pault is up all her best friend 12 inch please and thank you for all this wonderful music that we share a hug bye
Growing up Disabled, I had kids make fun of me calling me retard, Donna Summer’s music was like a friend to me and always brought a smile to my face, her music was like the paint on my canvas of life and all her songs were like my way to paint the picture of the good things that happened in my life so I can remember it for the years to come. Thank Mr. and Mrs. Gaines for giving us Donna Summer aka Ladonna Adriane Gaines and thank you Donna for all you done for me and many others….. Miss… Read more »
Thank you for sharing that. I can only imagine how happy she would be knowing how much her music meant to you.
I did tell her this when I got her autograph on her CD VH1 Live And More Encore, in NYC thats when I finally met her I think 1999 or 2000
Donna Summer 突然離開，非常難過！
Donna was not Queen of Disco. Donna WAS + IS one of the greatest ever Pop Singer’s ever. When I hear some of the weak & feeble’s that ‘Pass’ for Singer’s Nowaday’s……… Ask yourself or Bruce Springsteen might know – Why there Duet ‘Never Saw the light of Day’? If that had been on her ‘self-titled’ Quincy Jones Produced album….& or as a Single = No1 ! i bet [if i had a time-machine] + Queen of Rock ………..here we come………. Theres something Very Nasty lurking in the music ‘biz’ No more Tears was the 1st Black & White Artist… Read more »
She came to be known as the Queen of Disco but my introduction to Donna Summer really came with her 1989 Another Place And Time album. The first single “This Time I Know It’s for Real” brought my full attention to her and from then on I started appreciating her music, even going back to her disco hey day. That album was one of the soundtracks of my life. Since then, I’ve collected her music and enjoyed her music all these years. I am presently watching her VH1 Presents Donna Summer, Live & More that was recorded back in 1999.… Read more »
I love Donna Summer, but have to admit I was more into her singles than albums. But then again, the lengths of her 12″ single are as long as some albums! I especially love Donna’s collaborations… the awesome Heaven Knows with Brooklyn Dreams the divalicious No More Tears with Barbra Streisand the agape of Unconditional Love with Musical Youth the perfect Another Place and Time album with SAW Finally, as a testament to Donna’s status, who else could get herself an all-star choir to back her up on State Of Independence? A lineup that includes Michael Jackson, Brenda Russell, James… Read more »
I’ve always loved Donna Summer and will miss her very much! RIP The Queen of Disco!
RIP Donna Summer. You changed the face of popular music and paved the way for those who followed. There will always be a you…
It’s really sad indeed. First Amy , then Whitney and now Donna. Three divas gone within a year.
Dont you dare equate Amy to DONNA SUMMER.
In high school I was a goth so Donna Summer and disco were both very uncool. Then I read how Bowie and Eno freaked the first time they heard “I Feel Love” and called it the sound of the future. Begrudgingly, I picked up a Casablanca compilation and not only loved Donna’s work but most of the other tracks too. That was 20 years ago and I have been a fan ever since. RIP Donna Summer, you will be missed.
Donna .. Giorgio .. and Patrick Cowley .. the PC megamix of IFL is the greatest remix Ive ever heard. PURE heaven on earth and it is a permanent song in my cd player. It was my first exposure to the 12″ single and at 15 minutes+ it still stands the test of time. Then came the Rollo & Sister Bliss remix of IFL. !!! HOT DAMN !!! I must say they all did her proud. Sunset People would follow as another permanent song in my playlist and there are some VERY KEWL remixes out there to enjoy. The Dj… Read more »
Another Diva Gone, Shocking And Sad :((
There wasn’t a Friday or Saturday Evening I wasn’t spinning something from Donna!
Not once I had already cued-up Donnas Hot Stuff,which will be spinning in just few seconds, when a Hot Girl came to the DJ Booth:”Hi can you play Hot Stuff for me?”
Myself:”No chance,no way…”.The girl looks amazed!!! Just as she’s leaving the booth
Hot Stuff starts running,she turns and gives me ”That” smile and I know, after-work enjoyment is secured :))
Donna Summer DJ’s Dance Classic in many ways!
The news of Donna’s passing was completely devastating to me. She will be missed terribly and lovingly remembered for YEARS to come.
Donna Summer touched my heart and spirit and has inspired me and my love for God, for music, and for people. There will never be another voice like hers. Some have tried to imitate it, but none have succeeded. It’s always sad when someone passes and from the announcement of her death to this very day, I have seen and heard the love of Donna Summer by online fans and celebrities on tv who are inside and outside of the music business. Donna’s voice is magical and so, so very versatile. I have always loved the actress approach she brought… Read more »
Such devastating news. Another great voice gone from us. I just hope all her stuff in the “vaults” gets released along with all thew music she was working on.
Thanks for all you do Paul. Could you please check the “All Systems Go” mp3 download? Seems to be an error / bad password / tracks missing.
I hope that rumoured duet she did with ONJ gets released. Think it was done late 70’s?
RIP LaDonna. You were more than the “Disco Queen” to me.
A sad loss – RIP Donna – Loved “This Time I Know It’s For Real” Amazing Track, Amazing Singer. U WILL BE MISSED
Something infecting about that song. The rhythm just stuck with you. Great song, voice etc. The next soul that was born after her death got an incredible gift.-JSR
Dear Paul, what a great guy you are to make some space available on your blog to honour Donna Summer. I was in grade 8 when I first heard last dance at our graduation and I can still remember the excitement it caused. The following year the 17 minute version of MacArthur Park suite would be the very first 12′ vinyl single I ever purchased. I was 15 at the time and that record changed my life, I fell in love with that heavenly mezzo soprano voice that could sing virtually anything. I, myself, have quite a Donna Summer collection… Read more »
Big loss indeed and so unexpected! Outstanding voice. But apart from her talent, she really had a master team helping her big time in the 70’s/80’s. Who knows, but maybe she wouldn’t be The Queen of Disco without Moroder, Bellotte, Faltermeier and Neil Bogart’s Casablanca? Donna Summer introduced me to the long extended version. Only one track or a few sequed on one LP side, man, I was blown away by it. I remember her first 2 singles in the Netherlands back in 1974: The Hostage and The Lady of the Night. I was 8 years old, and played it… Read more »
Her music was, is, and will still be a part of my life. Very sad news indeed.
i am very sad , Donna was one of my favorites singers , when i was a child she came to Brazil, in the early 90s to promove the album another place and time, i have the cassete tape !
Breakaway was a big hit in Brazil!!
Breakaway is my favourite Donna single of the 80s! Those Tony Humphries Mixes….grrrrreat! The single sadly flopped almost everywhere, so I’m glad it was a huge hit in Brazil!
I myself am still reeling from the news. No more albums, no more concerts…. what a loss to the music communiy. I remember being about 8 years old and buying a copy of the album “Love To Love You Baby”, and my dad asked what the hell I was listening to. I replied enthusiastically, “Dad, it’s called sex! Doesn’t it sound great?” Well he didn’t approve, so he took my record away. I of course bought another copy, hid it under my bed, and listened to it with those gigantic headphones back in the day. That started a love affair… Read more »
I was a kid in the 70s, and in addition to going to the roller skating rink, all the kids in the neighborhood would have disco parties. Donna Summer was always at the top of the playlist (usually someone would bring the LP of “Bad Girls” or “Live and More”). We thought we were SO risqué singing “Hot Stuff.” Then, when “No More Tears” came out in 1979, her duet with Streisand was the most potent disco pollination to awaken the gay boy in me. I was so saddened to hear of her passing. She was a huge icon for… Read more »
I am absolutely devastated by this news. I burst into tears yesterday when I heard one of my top ten favorite artists of all-time is now gone. I’ve been listening to her music non-stop. I can’t wait to see what goodies you dig up in memory of dear Donna.
I met Donna Summer in 1997 when i was asked to do a remix of ‘State of Independence’ for the UK dance label Manifesto/Mercury.
She was a complete sweetheart and I bored her to tears with my knowledge of her music. LOL.
I would love it if you could rip the 12in mix & its Instrumental of “Love Is In Control (Finger On The Trigger)”.
I have a special half-speed master that sounds better than the UK & U.S. 12in release.
The bass is noticably heavier, if nothing else.
Thanks Paul!
Keep burning the ground 🙂
Hi Lucky Fellow I believe that 12″ is already posted on the site. Look in the Donna summer section in the left column.
oh man, you don’t get off that easy. I remember the day I walked into my favourite dance store and saw that there was a new cd of remixes for state of independence. That cd was in my hand cashed out and on its way to my way home quicker than you could wink. I wonder, if you’re responsible for my favourite remix of State of independence, the lovely understated creation mix. If you are, a huge thank you from me to you.. I still have the cd to this day and listen to all of the mixes at least… Read more »
Donna Summer was truly a living legend and had command of a wonderful instrument, her voice. I am saddened to hear of her untimely demise. Unlike the eye candy in an industry filled with mediocrity today she actually had talent. May you rest in peace Donna and thank you for the moment you shared with us…
Thanks Paul. Donna is a huge loss and I am very sad. You know you’re a big fan when all your friends and family call and text to check in on you 🙂
Hearing I Feel Love for the first time was a wake up moment in my life and complete defined my music tastes afterwards. My first pop album (8track, actually) was Bad Girls. Bought it with my birthday money and got in big trouble once my mother saw the cover 🙂
As always, thanks. I look forward to your posts.
It’s so good to hear that there are other huge Donna Summer fans like myself. My phone kept going off with Facebook notifications, emails, and phone calls. Donna is like family to a lot of us.
No other singer’s body of work will ever have a deeper or more enduring influence in dance music, bar none. Rest in peace, Donna. As you said in one of your songs, “our love will last forever”.
She was one class act, my favorite song of hers of ALL time is “State of Independence”, a very feel good, inspirational track.
I love State Of Independence. Some of the mixes are good too. Love the NRG Mix.
Agreed. State of Independence is her best. Have heard other versions but hers reigns supreme.-JSR
My first Disco Diva. Just remembering of my self when I was chid dancing across the house… I remember yesterday