Donna Summer, the iconic songstress known for such 70’s hits as “Last Dance,” “Hot Stuff”, and “Bad Girls”, passed away today at the age of 63. The Disco Queen, gay icon, and Grammy winner was struggling with cancer, a disease which ultimately claimed her life. She was rumored to have been in Florida at the time of her death.
If the news of Summer’s bout with cancer comes as something as of a surprise to you, then you’re not alone. Summer apparently went to great lengths to conceal just how sick she really was from friends, family, and fans alike. According to the folks at TMZ, the singer was recently attempting to put the finishing touches on her latest album.
Summer was instrumental in kickstarting the dance music craze in the 70’s. With the help of producer Giorgio Moroder, the talented singer delivered a number of hits during the decade, though she couldn’t be confined within one particular era. During the 80’s, Summer kept returning to radio with songs like “She Works Hard for the Money” and “This Time I Know It’s for Real”. She’s credited with influencing with artists as Duran Duran, David Bowie, Whitney Houston, and scores of other artists.
Twitter reactions to the singer’s passing have been understandably overwhelming. For more information about her pass, stop by Famous Dead.