She was born as LaDonna Adrian Gaines in Boston, Massachusetts as the 3rd of 7 children for Andrew Gaines (a butcher) and Mary Gaines (schoolteacher). At the age of 10 she replaced a vocalist at the church. In High school she performed in school musicals and left just before graduation to join the blues rock band Crow. To become a role in the musical 'Hair' she moved to Munich, Germany where she learned the German language (which she became fluent in). Later she moved to Austria and joined the Vienna Volksoper. She married the Austrian actor Helmuth Sommer and gave birth to her daughter in 1973. Before she released her first singles, among them a German version of "Aquarius" from the musical 'Hair'.

In Munich she met producer Giorgio Moroder and Peter Bellotte who both lived in Germany at that time. The trio forged a working relationships and Donna was signed to their record label. On the cover of her record though happened to be a mistake and instead of Donna Sommer it appeared as "Donna Summer". But the name stuck with her and she made it her own. Donna release her debut album "Lady Of The Night" in 1974 and in 1975 she and Moroder produced and released the single "Love To Love You Baby" which became a huge hit in the USA, after it was presented to an American label producer. In 1976 the song peaked at #2 in the US Billboard Charts. The song also peaked at #5 in the UK single charts, even some radio stations like the BBC refused to play it due to the moans. The album with the same name was released in 1975 and in 1976 "A Love Trilogy" and later "Four Seasons Of Love" followed. Summer became very popular with more singles and albums in the USA and in 1978 she received her first Grammy Award for the single "Last Dance" in 1978. From 1978 to 1979 she had 4 #1 singles in the USA and her album "Bad Girls" also topped the US charts. It was certified double platinum and also lead the Canadian charts. She receiver her 2nd of totally 5 Grammy Awards that year as well (Best Female Rock Vocal Performance, "Hot Stuff").

Summer got her own TV special in 1980 but soon there after and the release of the album "On The Radio" she wanted to branch out into other musical styles which ultimately led to her signing with a different label. Later she had to release one more album on her old contract and this one became "She works hard for the money" with the title track peaking at #3 in the US Billboard Single Charts. Later in the 80s Donna worked together with well known producers like Harold Faltermeyer and Stock, Aitken, Waterman. The single "This Time I Know It's For Real" became her final US-Top Ten hit, peaking at #7 in the USA and #3 in the UK (her first Top Ten single in that country).

In the 90s she released another Greatest Hits album and had her 2nd Top 10 single in the UK, a remix of "I Feel Love" peaked at #8 in the UK. She had more smaller hits in the later years and recorded songs until the 2010s.

Donna Summer passed away in 2012 from lung cancer but her memories and songs continue to live on. She was dubbed the "Queen of Disco" in the 70s and sold over 100 million records worldwide, making her one of the most successful artists in modern music history. Here now are my favorite 10 songs of this great performer. Hope you enjoy!

What are your favorites? Are they in the video? What do you think of this ranking? Do you remember Donna Summer and what are your memories? Tell us in the comments if you like.

No copyright infringement intended you can buy and stream all these songs in your favorite store in full length. No money is made with these videos, they are simply a hobby to celebrate music.


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