"Heaven Knows..." RIP Donna Summer

More Falling Stars:
News reports state that 70s Disco songstress aka "the Queen of Disco", Donna Summer,  has died from lung and possibly breast cancer at age 63. Ms. Summer early hits like McArthur Park, Hot Stuff and the moan-filled, Love To Love You, Baby" were the rage of the 70s night clubs, record stores and radio stations.  Despite the erotic nature of some of her songs, Ms. Summer was still my favorite singer of that era along with Gloria Gaynor, Patti Labelle, Chaka Khan and way before Whitney Houston and Anita Baker. Summer's songs, "Dim All The Lights", On The Radio and Enough Is Enough (her duet with Barbara Streisand),  were among my favorites and I remember dancing and singing to her LPs for hours. I love to dance and Summer's songs always had a great dance beat that evolved beyond disco. In fact, Summer is often credited for starting the electronic dance craze that is so hot today.

Ms. Summer was born LaDonna Adrian Gaines and grew up in a Christian family. She began singing in the church as a child then she moved on to sing in musicals like Hair, Show Boat and Godspell in the U.S. and Europe. Summer's career continued pass the disco era into the 80s and 90s with hits like the woman's empowering, "She Works Hard For The Money" and a Christmas album. She won a total of 5 Grammy Awards, garned a star on The Hollywood Walk Of Fame and was also inducted into the Dance Music Hall Of Fame. 

Summer tried her hand at acting and had a role in the film, Thank God It's Friday. She appeared as a guest star on many TV shows and TV specials and televised events including MTV and President Ronal Reagan inaugural in the 80s. She appeared on the X Factor as recently as last season.

Summer had talked openly about her struggles with depression and suicide but she had had a spiritual conversion in the 90s and became a born-again Christian. Summer returned to her greatest hits tour and she often toured with many greats like the Bee-Gees. Summer was said to have been in the studio recording around the time of her death and reports said that she was due to go back on tour again soon.

Donner Summers will be greatly missed but her music lives on. Our prayers go out to Donna Summer's husband and daughters at this sad time. Rest in peace, Donna Summer.

"Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Staying Alive..."
Update:  Ah, the words to this song seems so sad now as I just heard that Robin Gibb of the Bee-Gees/Gibbs Brothers fame has lost his battle with liver against liver cancer in the U.K. The Gibbs, a trio from England /Australia known for their falsetto sound rose to fame after singing the award winning 70s disco sound track for Saturday Night Live.

Funny, they Bee-Gees had toured with Donna Summer and they were inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame together and now both past away so close together. The Bee-Gees have certainly had their share of tragedies. They. lost youngest brother, Andy Gibb due to a drug habit and myocarditis in the 90s and Robin's fraternal twin, Morris died from twisted intestines in 2003.

Robin himself fought courageously to beat his cancer but reports had said that his health had taken a recent turn for the worse. Older brother, Barry Gibb is now the only surviving Gibbs brother so we send prayers to him and Robin's family.  It is unclear what faith Robin Gibb followed while living but I pray that his family may be comforted and that he rests in peace.