Donna Summer: A Career Retrospective

All hail the Queen of Disco!

Donna Summer: 12/31/48 – 5/17/12 - The music world lost disco music icon Donna Summer to cancer on May 17, 2012. Dubbed the "Queen of Disco,” the 63-year-old singer passed away in Florida with her family by her side. Join us as we take a look back at highlights from her trailblazing career.(Photo: Chris Walter/WireImage)

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Donna Summer: A Career Retrospective - Today [May 17] the music world lost disco music icon Donna Summer to cancer. Dubbed the "Queen of Disco,” the 63-year-old singer passed away this morning in Florida with her family by her side. Join us as we take a look back at highlights from her trailblazing career. (Photo: Chris Walter/WireImage)

Donna Summer: Humble Beginnings - Born on December 31, 1948, Ladonna Adrian Gaines grew up in the Dorchester neighborhood of Massachusetts. One of seven children, the young songbird got her start singing in church at the tender age of 10.(Photo: Harry Langdon/Getty Images)

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Donna Summer: A Career Retrospective - Born on December 31, 1948, Ladonna Adrian Gaines grew up in the Dorchester neighborhood of Massachusetts. One of seven children the young songbird got her start singing in church at the tender age of 10. (Photo: Harry Langdon/Getty Images)

Donna Summer: Breakin' Out - After releasing her debut album Lady of the Night abroad in 1974, Summer delivered the breakthrough album Love to Love You Baby in 1975. The album’s title track was her first big hit at home, reaching No. 2 on the U.S. Billboard charts in 1976. (Photo: Oasis Records)

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Donna Summer: A Career Retrospective - After releasing her debut album Lady of The Night abroad in 1974, Summer delivered the breakthrough album Love to Love You Baby in 1975. The album’s title track was her first big hit at home, reaching No. 2 on U.S. Billboard charts in 1976. (Photo: Oasis Records)

Donna Summer: Platinum Lady - Putting her golden touch on Jimmy Webb’s ballad “Mac Arthur Park,” Summer scored her first U.S. No. 1 record and No. 1 album with Live and More. The live LP went on to earn the singer her first platinum plaque after selling over a million copies.(Photo: Oasis Records)

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Donna Summer: A Career Retrospective - Putting her golden touch on Jimmy Webb’s ballad “Mac Arthur Park,” Summer scored her first U.S. No. 1 record and No. 1 album with Live and More. The live LP went on to earn the singer her first platinum plaque after selling over a million copies.(Photo: Oasis Records)

Donna Summer: Feelin' It - 1977 proved to be another big year for the singer as she released the gold-selling album I Remember Yesterday. The first single, “I Feel Love,” peaked at No. 6 on the U.S. Billboard charts and hit No. 1 on U.K. charts.(Photo: Oasis Records)

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Donna Summer: A Career Retrospective - 1977 proved to be another big year for the singer as she released the gold-selling album I Remember Yesterday. The first single, “I Feel Love,” peaked at No. 6 on U.S. Billboard charts and hit No. 1 on U.K. charts.(Photo: Oasis Records)

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Donna Summer: Last But Not Least - In 1978 Summer expanded her talents to the big screen, acting in the disco-themed comedy Thank God It’s Friday, which spawned the Grammy Award-winning single “Last Dance” from the motion picture soundtrack. The infectious groove soared to No. 3 on the Billboard charts.(Photo: Oasis Records)

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Donna Summer: A Career Retrospective - In 1978 Summer expanded her talents to the big screen acting in the disco-themed comedy Thank God It’s Friday, which spawned the Grammy Award-winning single “Last Dance” from the motion picture soundtrack. The infectious groove soared to No. 3 on Billboard charts.(Photo: Oasis Records)

Donna Summer: Bad Girls Do Good Things - As the disco genre faded out, Summer spent nearly two years reinventing her sound and recording Bad Girls. Spawning a No. 1 hit of the same name, the album’s bold new sound proved the legendary singer’s artistry and ability to transcend into other music genres.(Photo: Oasis Records)

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Donna Summer: A Career Retrospective - As the disco genre faded out Summer spent nearly two years reinventing her sound and recording Bad Girls. Spawning a No. 1 hit of the same name, the album’s bold new sound proved the legendary singer’s artistry and ability to transcend into other music genres.(Photo: Oasis Records)

Donna Summer: Hot In Herre - After establishing herself as a dominant force in disco music, Summer stepped outside the box and added a rock edge to her sound with the multiplatinum single “Hot Stuff.” The risqué smash earned the singer her second Grammy Award in 1979 as she became the first Black artist and female artist to win Best Female Rock Performance.(Photo: Oasis Records)

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Donna Summer: A Career Retrospective - After establishing herself as a dominant force in disco music, Summer stepped outside the box and added a rock edge to her sound with the multiplatinum single “Hot Stuff.” The risqué smash earned the singer her second Grammy Award in 1979 as she became the first Black artist and female artist to win Best Female Rock Performance.(Photo: Oasis Records)

Donna Summer: A Career Retrospective - With the disco era virtually extinct, Summer found new life as she rejuvenated her career with the pop-dance smash “She Works Hard for the Money.” The appeal of the new wave anthem helped the songstress to cash in on the buzz many mainstream stars were getting with the evolution of music videos. The visual for the single was in heavy rotation on the then-revolutionary music video channel MTV.(Photo: Oasis Records)

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Donna Summer: A Career Retrospective - With the disco era virtually extinct Summer found new life as she rejuvenated her career with the pop-dance smash “She Works Hard for the Money.” The appeal of the new wave anthem helped the songstress to cash in on the buzz many mainstream stars were getting with the evolution of music videos. The visual for the single was in heavy rotation on the then-revolutionary music video channel MTV.(Photo: Oasis Records)

Photo By Photo: Oasis Records

Donna Summer: A Career Retrospective - During the mid-1980s, Summer came under fire for allegedly making anti-gay remarks about victims of the AIDs virus. The hailstorm of controversy took its toll on the singer’s career as fans reportedly returned her albums to record stores. Summer later refuted the alleged comments and sued New York magazine.(Photo: Beth Gwinn/Redferns)

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Donna Summer: A Career Retrospective - During the mid 1980s Summer came under fire for allegedly making anti-gay remarks about victims of the AIDs virus. The hailstorm of controversy took its toll on the singer’s career as fans reportedly returned her albums to record stores. Summer later refuted the alleged comments and sued New York magazine.(Photo: Beth Gwinn/Redferns)

Photo By Photo: Beth Gwinn/Redferns

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Donna Summer: Hollywood Star - As a nod to being a groundbreaking music artist, Summer was honored with a star on the esteemed Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1992. A global star, the songstress’ music catalog includes countless international hits and she will be remembered for the various record-setting concerts she headlined during the pinnacle of the disco era.(Photo:  Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

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Donna Summer: A Career Retrospective - As a nod to being a groundbreaking music artist, Summer was honored with a star on the esteemed Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1992. A global star, the songstress’ music catalog includes countless international hits and she will be remembered for the various record-setting concerts she headlined during the pinnacle of the disco era. (Photo:  Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

Donna Summer: Post-Disco Era - After parting ways with producers Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte, Summer collaborated with Grammy Award winning producer Quincy Jones for her 10th album, Donna Summer. The project went in a more traditional R&B direction spawning the hit “Love Is in Control (Finger on the Trigger).”(Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

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Donna Summer: A Career Retrospective - After parting ways with producers Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte, Summer collaborated with Grammy Award winning producer Quincy Jones for her 10th album, Donna Summer. The project went in a more traditional R&B direction spawning the hit “Love Is in Control (Finger on the Trigger).”(Photo:  Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Donna Summer: Disco Icon - After releasing her final album, Crayons, in 2008, the legend slipped away from the music spotlight to focus on family and health. After news of her passing spread throughout the industry, fans laid roses across the singer’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Departed but not forgotten, the iconic singer’s music will forever be remembered for transcending a genre and being the soundtrack to a treasured generation.    (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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Donna Summer: A Career Retrospective - After releasing her final album, Crayons, in 2008, the legend slipped away from the music spotlight to focus on family and health. After news of her passing spread throughout the industry fans laid roses across the singer’s star on the Hollywood’s Walk of Fame. Departed but not forgotten, the iconic singer’s music will forever be remembered for transcending a genre and being the soundtrack to a treasured generation.    (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)