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Donna Summer Dead: Disco Legend Dies After Cancer Battle at 63

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Donna Summer has died following a battle with cancer. The 63-year-old disco legend reportedly passed away this morning (May 17) in Florida, and her family released a statement, saying they are "at peace celebrating her extraordinary life and her continue legacy."

"Words truly can't express how much we appreciate your prayers and love for our family at this sensitive time," they said.

Summer is known for her many hits, including "Hot Stuff," "Last Dance," "She Works Hard for the Money" and "Bad Girls," among many others, and won five Grammys over the course of her career. According to an update on TMZ, Summer had lung cancer, which she believed came from inhaling particles after the 9/11 attacks in New York. She was reportedly working on a new album up to the time of her death.

Born Donna Gaines and raised in Boston, Summer began singing in her church and decided to pursue a career in music in the late '60s. After performing in musicals in Europe, she released her first single, "Sally Go 'Round the Roses," under her birth name in 1971. That year, she married actor Helmuth Sommer, whose name she would keep -- and anglicize the spelling of -- after they divorced in 1975.

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That same year, Summer had her first big success was with the song "Love to Love You Baby," which caused some controversy due to her orgasmic moaning. The track was also released as a 17-minute single in order to get more play in disco clubs and hit No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. That song was the first in a series of singles to top or make it to the top 10 on the Billboard Dance charts.

Donna Summer Dead at 63

In 1978, Summer hit No. 3 on the singles chart with "Last Dance," a song taken from the disco-themed movie "Thank God It's Friday," in which she acted. She then had her first No. 1 single with "MacArthur Park," and topped the chart three times in 1979 with "Hot Stuff," "Bad Girls" and "No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)," a duet with Barbra Streisand. "Last Dance" and "Hot Stuff" also won Grammys.

Around this time, she also battled anxiety and depression, which led to a prescription-drug addiction and several suicide attempts. She kicked the habit, became a born-again Christian and married singer and producer Bruce Sudano in 1980.

Summer strayed from her disco sound in the '80s, opting for a more rock, New Wave and R&B-oriented sound. Her greatest success of that era was 1983's She Works Hard for the Money, the title track of which went to No. 3.

She is survived by Sudano, their two daughters, Brooklyn and Amanda, and her daughter with Sommer, Mimi.

Listen to AOL Radio's Donna Summer Station

Donna Summer Performs "Last Dance"

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CooRich.T.

Going to miss her..Great Voice.

July 15 2012 at 7:22 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
spikegang vertan

lord jesus please comfort donnas family and fans please log on to equip.org

May 19 2012 at 5:40 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
MareyAna

Thank You Donna Summer For All Your Great Songs and Fantastic Memories !
You Will never Be Forgotten You Have Touched So Many Hearts n Souls .
You Will Be Greatly Missed n Greatly Remembered My Heart Goes Out To Your Family Especially Your Daughters . May GOD Give Them The Strength To Go On!!
GOD Grant You Peace My Friend

May 19 2012 at 1:12 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
Sharon

i always loved donna summers music remarkable talent sorry for losing her she will always be remembered.God Bless you donna now you sing with the angels.

May 19 2012 at 6:49 AM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
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May 18 2012 at 4:36 AM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
CajunCatin9

I liked her music but if she cared anything for her body she wouldn't have smoked so much as other actors and actresses.For someone who smokes I have no sympathy,only for her family.Sorry,but how how I feel about smokers.Don't blame 9/11 for this.

May 18 2012 at 3:34 AM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
Glenda

I danced many dances to her music. She was totally the Queen of Disco. I can't believe we have lost another major talent. This is so sad. A beautiful woman with a beautiful voice. My heart and prayers goes out to her family and friends. I had no idea she had been suffering from cancer. So many fireman from 911 has also contracted cancer and other diseases. May God lift her up in His loving arms and give her peace. God bless you Donna. You will be missed. I miss you already.

May 18 2012 at 3:29 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
mt1975

Donna Summer's music always reminds me of riding around with my aunt and now late mother when I was 4 years old in 1979, when Donna Summer was all over the radio, Very Fond memories. My family and I listened to Donna so many times while I was growing up that we burned up her "On The Radio" album 8 track tape. R.I.P Donna

May 18 2012 at 2:51 AM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
mt1975

I bought a DVD of her in concert several years ago, and man it is really really good, she has an unknown sing Barbara Streisand's part of No More Tears, and the unknown did a superb job, the only bad thing is this song is only about 4 minutes long and not the 12 minute version on her 8-track, and CD. Go out and purchase her DVD, it is a definite must have, it was filmed in about the late 90s or early 2000s

May 18 2012 at 2:47 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
margie

their are only a few artists that have a unique voice in song that you will never hear the likes of again and donna summer was one of the few R.I.P

May 18 2012 at 2:45 AM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply