US singer Donna Summer, who made her name with disco classics such as 'I Feel Love', 'Hot Stuff' and 'Bad Girls', has passed away aged 63, reportedly following a battle with cancer.

In the 70s, Summer was one of the biggest music stars in the US, and incredibly influential in the world of popular music. Mary J Blige has described her as "a game changer" while Motown producer Quincy Jones has also paid tribute, saying she provided the "soundtrack of a decade".

The fact is, the passage of time since the days of flares and afros has truly allowed us the chance to acknowledge the impact Summer had on both her peers and those who have followed. 'I Feel Love' is widely regarded as one of the most important tracks in the development of electronic music, a forebear to the dance music in the decades that followed.

Summer also broke ground in that she was the first black artist to win a Grammy in a rock category, awarded Best Rock Vocal in 1979 for 'Hot Stuff'. In more recent times, her work has been sampled by the likes of Madonna, Whitney Houston and David Guetta, meaning her influence has continued to live on even in the years since she regularly topped the charts.

Real name LaDonna Adrian Gaines, Summer will be survived by husband Bruce Sedano their daughters Brooklyn and Amanda, as well as her daughter Mimi from her previous marriage. 

Her influence on chart music today cannot be underestimated, and she will be remembered as one of the innovators of a genre.

Donna Summer
December 31, 1948 – May 17, 2012


By Steve Boniface