History Music / DonnaSummer

[=LaDonna=] Gaines was born in UsefulNotes/{{Boston}} and originally trained as a gospel singer before becoming successful in RAndB and {{Pop}} as well. Her big break came when she met producers Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte, who managed her for the rest of TheSeventies, and recorded the single "Love to Love You Baby" (1975). She made several concept albums before reaching her peak with ''Bad Girls'' (1979), a double album that mixed RockAndRoll, {{Funk}}, {{Blues}}, Music/{{Soul}} and ElectronicMusic to massive success. She soon broke from {{Disco}}.

* ''Christmas Spirit'' (1994). Album mostly featuring traditional ChristmasSongs, performed in the style of Music/{{Soul}} music. A few original songs were included, though nothing particularly memorable.

* UrbanLegend: For more than 30 years, it was rumored that she actually despised gays, despite becoming one of the first gay icons of disco music. The rumors started after she became a born-again-christian. Those who attended some of her concerts since claimed to have heard her make horrible statements about gays, like how the AIDS virus was God's gift to gays. Many, if not all right-wing Christian Conservatives (of which Summer was one, according to Radio/RushLimbaugh), have been known to despise gays, and some even go so far as to believe that AllGaysArePedophiles. Even now, after her death, these rumors continue to circulate.

* ExecutiveMeddling: After the major success of "Love to Love You Baby", Summer's label, Casablanca Records, wanted her to act as a sex symbol. Initially, despite unease, Summer went with the public image and followed the label's every instruction on what to wear, how to act and even what doctors and lawyers to use. This eventually led to CreatorBreakdown, and after recovery, Summer changed labels to Creator/GeffenRecords and became a born-again Christian.

* CoatsAndJackets: The "old brown overcoat" in "On the Radio."

[=LaDonna=] Gaines was born in Boston and originally trained as a gospel singer before becoming successful in RAndB and {{Pop}} as well. Her big break came when she met producers Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte, who managed her for the rest of TheSeventies, and recorded the single "Love to Love You Baby" (1975). She made several concept albums before reaching her peak with ''Bad Girls'' (1979), a double album that mixed RockAndRoll, {{Funk}}, {{Blues}}, Music/{{Soul}} and ElectronicMusic to massive success. She soon broke from {{Disco}}.

* UrbanLegend: For more than 30 years, it was rumored that she actually despised gays, despite becoming one of the first gay icons of disco music. The rumors started after she became a born-again-christian. Those who attended some of her concerts since claimed to have heard her make horrible statements about gays, like how the AIDS virus was God's gift to gays. Many, if not all right-wing Christian Conservatives (of which Summer was one, according to RushLimbaugh), have been known to despise gays, and some even go so far as to believe that AllGaysArePedophiles. Even now, after her death, these rumors continue to circulate.

* [[HeAlsoDid She Also Did]]: Was "Aunt Oona from Altoona" on ''Series/FamilyMatters''.

!!Summer's music and career provide examples of these tropes:

** There was also a brief one in the late 90's, thanks to TheFullMonty and its use of "Hot Stuff."

->''"Mommy, what's wrong with the lady on the record? Why is she moaning? Is she hurt?"''

* ''Bad Girls'' (1979). Certified platinum. Her best selling album overall.

* SignatureSong: "Last Dance" and "Hot Stuff".

* ''Crayons'' (2008). First album consisting only of original songs since 1991. The album peaked at #17 in the charts, her greatest commercial hit since the 1980s. Three of its song reached #1 in the dance charts. It was, however, her last full album. A few singles followed the album, though it is still seen as her swan song.

* ''Another Place and Time'' (1989). A commercial and critical comeback. Certified golden in the United Kingdom, with several of its songs topping the charts across Europe. Curiously, the album underperformed in North America.

* ''Another Place and Time'' (1989). A commercial and critical comeback. Certidied golden in the United Kingdom, with several of its songs topping the charts across Europe. Curiously, the album underperformed in North America.

* ''Cats Without Claws'' (1984). First Summer album since the 1970s to not sell enough to be certified golden. It peaked at #40 in the charts. Music critics view it as a decent but unspectacular effort.

* ''Donna Summer'' (1982). A SelfTitledAlbum. Certified gold. While several song sold well when released as singles, the album underperformed in the sales charts.

[=LaDonna=] Gaines was born in Boston and originally trained as a gospel singer before becoming successful in RAndB and {{Pop}} as well. Her big break came when she met producers Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte, who managed her for the rest of TheSeventies, and recorded the single "Love to Love You Baby" (1975). She made several concept albums before reaching her peak with ''Bad Girls'' (1979), a double album that mixed RockAndRoll, {{Funk}}, {{Blues}}, Music/{{Soul}} and ElectronicMusic to massive success. She soon broke from disco.