Gossip website TMZ.com is reporting that disco legend Donna Summer has died after a long battle with cancer this morning in her Florida home. She was 63.
Donna Summer, real name LaDonna Gaines, was originally trained as a gospel singer before breaking into the big time as a disco singer.
The 5-time Grammy winner, whose disco hits helped redefine the music industry in the seventies, peaked on the charts with her singles “Love to Love You Baby” (1975), “Last Dance” (1978), “Hot Stuff” (1978) and “Bad Girls” (1979).
Mixing soul and funk with electro house music, Donna was dubbed Disco Queen. But her star soon faded when the industry suffered from a disco backlash in the 80s.
Still, Donna achieved more success in the 1980s with her singles “On the Radio” (!980) “She Works Hard For the Money” (1982), and “This Time I Know It’s For Real” (1988). Her most recent album, Crayons, was released in 2008.
Donna Summer – Last Dance
Donna Summer – Love To Love You Baby
Donna Summer – Spring Affair
