Donna Summer

Donna Adrian Gaines (December 31, 1948 – May 17, 2012), known professionally as Donna Summer, was an American singer and songwriter. She gained prominence during the disco era of the 1970s and became known as the "Queen of Disco", while her music gained a global following. Born and raised in Boston, Summer dropped out of high school before graduating and began her career as the lead singer of a blues rock band named Crow and moved to New York City.

In 1968, she joined the German adaptation of the musical Hair in Munich, where she spent several years living, acting, and singing. There, she met music producers Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte, and released her first album, the European market-only Lady of the Night in 1974. Following the recording and European release of the groundbreaking disco anthem, "Love to Love You Baby", she signed with Casablanca Records in 1975, where it was released in North America.