Donna Summer remembered as 'Queen of Disco'

Donna Summer personified the 1970s disco era. But Donna Summer's music career outlived disco. Summer, born in Boston, passed away in Florida on Thursday.

By Jodi Bradbury,?Contributor / May 17, 2012

Donna Summer performs during the season finale of American Idol in 2008, in Los Angeles, Calif. On May 17, Summer passed away in Florida at the age of 63.

Mark Mainz / AP Images for Fox

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On Thursday, Donna Summer, the "Queen of Disco," passed away in Florida after a long illness. ?

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Summer's family released a statement saying that they "are at peace celebrating her extraordinary life and her continued legacy. Words truly can't express how much we appreciate your prayers and love for our family at this sensitive time."

Summer was born LaDonna Adrian Gaines on New Years Eve in 1948 and was raised, along with her six siblings, in Boston, Massachusetts. ?

Summer left school in 1960 to pursue her music career and landed a role in the Broadway musical Hair when it moved to Germany.? She lived in Germany for several years and learned to speak German fluently.

Despite being involved in a number of groups in Europe, Summer's first hit in the US did not happen until 1976 with the release of 'Love to Love You Baby,' which reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Her first No. 1 hit in the US came just two years later with the release of the single, 'MacArthur Park,' from her album, "Live and More," also her first album to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200.

Summer's success came as the 1970s disco sound was gaining popularity, and her star rose with it. She became a icon of the era. But unlike some other disco stars, Summer's success carried into the 1980s and into pop rock. Her 1983 hit, "She Works Hard for the Money" became a heavily played MTV video, and an anthem of the women's rights movement.

Summer went on to be nominated for 12 Grammy Awards, winning five. She was also an accomplished painter who sold over $1 million worth of original artwork during her life. ?

In 2010, Summer was nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but was ultimately not chosen.

She is survived by her husband, three daughters and four grandchildren.

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