Donna Summer Passed Away

[nikkib]

In news that can only be characterised as shocking, disco diva Donna Summer has passed away.

Via TMZ:

Donna Summer – the Queen of Disco — died this morning after a battle with cancer … TMZ has learned.

We’re told Summer was in Florida at the time of her death. She was 63-years-old.

Summer was a 5-time Grammy winner who shot to superstardom in the ’70s with iconic hits like “Last Dance,” “Hot Stuff” and “Bad Girls.”

[nikkib]

R.I.P.: Donna Summer "Last Dance"

[nikkib]

Donna Summer's Top 20 Billboard Chart Hits!



Donna Summer may have been referred to as the Queen of Disco, but her Billboard chart hits weren't confined to the so-called "disco era" of the late 1970s.

While she earned a string of smash singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the '70s -- many produced by Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte, she continued to chart hits on into '80s, '90s, '00s and '10s. Summer earned a total of 32 hit singles on the Hot 100 in her lifetime, with 14 of those reaching the top 10.

She claimed a top 40 hit every year from 1976 and 1984. And, between 1976 and the end of 1982, she had more top 10 hits -- 12 -- than any other act. Her very first entry on the Hot 100 was the epic "Love to Love You Baby" in 1976, which spent two weeks at No. 2. (The 17-minute long song was edited down to a more radio-friendly length of 4:57.)

Her biggest singles include her four No. 1s "MacArthur Park," "Hot Stuff," "Bad Girls" and "No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)" (with Barbra Streisand).

On June 30, 1979, when "Hot Stuff" descended 1-2 and "Bad Girls" moved up 5-3, Summer became the first woman to have two singles in the Hot 100's top three at the same time.

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[sarah]

so sad! r.i.p., donna!

[nikkib]

I know. I didn't know she was battling lung cancer. Gone way too soon!

[nikkib]

Barbra, Aretha & Dolly Mourn Donna Summer's Passing



Following the sad news on Thursday that disco legend Donna Summer lost her battle with cancer, celebrity fans have expressed their appreciation for the singer.

"So shocking to hear about the passing of Donna Summer," Aretha Franklin said in a statement. "In the '70s, she reigned over the disco era and kept the disco jumping. Who will forget, 'Last Dance?' [She was] a fine performer and a very nice person."

Barbra Streisand said she was "shocked" to hear about the death of Summer, 63, who never let on to the public that she was so sick.

"She was so vital the last time I saw her a few months ago," Streisand said Thursday. "I loved doing the duet with her. She had an amazing voice and was so talented. It's so sad."

Comparing the late singer's vocals to Whitney Houston's, country star Dolly Parton praised Summer for having "one of the greatest voices ever."

"I loved her records," added Parton. "She was the disco queen, and will remain so. I knew her and found her to be one of the most likable and fun people ever. She will be missed and remembered."

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[nikkib]

Donna Summer Died Of Lung Cancer



Although it was announced that Donna Summer's death on Thursday was due to cancer, in some quarters it was speculated that it may have been breast cancer.

That was not the case, a source who worked with the singer tells PEOPLE.

"She had lung cancer," says the source. "She got it about a year ago. She was not a smoker." (Summer had, however, smoked in the past.)

Summer, who was 63, remained highly guarded about her condition – many of her close friends didn't even know she was sick.

"Her family knew. I just think that she's private," the source says. "It's not like she was in bad shape. She was healthy, she was taking care of herself," says the source, who worked with Summer in 2008.

"She was healthy and energetic when I worked with her."

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[nikkib]

Donna Summer's Album Sales Increase 3,277% Following Death



The late Donna Summer impacts Billboard's music charts this week, following her death from cancer on May 17.

As Nielsen SoundScan's sales tracking week ended on May 20, Billboard's new sales charts reflect only four days since Summer's passing. (SoundScan provides data to Billboard for its music chart rankings.)

On the Billboard 200 albums chart, Summer hits the tally with four albums. She re-enters the list with her former No. 1, "On the Radio: Greatest Hits Volumes I & II" at No. 73. It sold 6,000 copies last week -- a gain of 10,761% over the previous seven days.

She also debuts on the list with "Endless Summer: Donna Summer's Greatest Hits" (No. 90 with 5,000; up 43,045%), re-enters with "The Journey: The Very Best of Donna Summer" (No. 95 with 5,000; up 3,819%) and bows "Greatest Hits" (No. 194 with 2,000; up 3,842%).

Summer's catalog of albums sold 26,000 last week -- up 3,277% from 1,000 the week previous.

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[nikkib]

Donna Summer Laid to Rest In Nashville



Family and some of her closest friends helped celebrate the life of Donna Summer at the singer's funeral.

A private memorial service was held Wednesday for Summer at Christ Presbyterian in Nashville, Tenn., where she had been a resident since 1995.

Summer, deemed the "Queen of Disco" for hits like "I Feel Love," ''Love to Love You Baby" and "Last Dance," died May 17th of lung cancer at 63 in Naples, Fla.

Producer and close friend David Foster performed "The Prayer" with Natalie Grant. Summer's sisters, Linda Gaines Lotman, Mary Ellen Bernard, Dara Bernard and Jenette Yancey, sang "We've Come This Far By Faith."

Other guests included producer Giorgio Moroder and Tony Orlando.

Summer is survived by husband Bruce Sudano; three daughters, Brooklyn, Mimi and Amanda; and four grandchildren.

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