Donna Giorgio
Donna lived a full and fulfilling life as an amazing wife, mother, and friend. She is survived by Michael as well as their adored sons Derek and Austin who she will miss dearly.
At parties and homes alike, everyone knows the iconic sequenced synth pulse of “I Feel Love”. Giorgio Moroder and Donna Summer laid the groundwork for 70s disco, which subsequently has had an influence on artists such as Beyonce and Daft Punk.
Early Life and Education
Donna Giorgio, better known by her stage name LaDonna Gaines and later Donna Summer, was born in Boston to a family that was highly involved with music. As a child she began singing with church choirs and citywide choruses.
In the late ’60s she moved to Germany in order to perform in musical theatre and met Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte who produced some of her first hits.
As she went on to create many hit songs that pushed the boundaries of disco music, her combination of church-rooted vocals with up-tempo dance beats created the template for 1970s disco music. Additionally, she and her producers pioneered electronic dance music with “I Feel Love”, an iconic track which still pervades 21st century pop music.
Professional Career
Donna was an iconic performer spanning multiple decades. Her music reigned supreme on charts and dance floors alike with hits in various genres including rock (“Hot Stuff”), pop (“MacArthur Park”), new wave (“Love Is in Control”) and R&B.
Her Grammy awards in multiple categories attest to the breadth and depth of her musical abilities, although she never displayed them publicly as symbols of her accomplishments.
Although she achieved great success, there were still obstacles along her journey. David Geffen rejected Rainbow; fortunately she found Quincy Jones to produce and release her second album instead – though not quite as successful than its predecessor; still boasting hits like “Sometimes Like Butterflies” and the b-side track “Protection,” both beloved songs loved by fans to this day.
Achievement and Honors
Giorgio Moroder was an innovator of electronic music. He received three Oscars for the soundtracks he composed for movies like Midnight Express, Flashdance and Scarface.
Donna was the first female artist ever to win a rock Grammy with “Hot Stuff”, also winning two dance music Grammys for Bad Girls and On The Radio.
In 1982 she released her final co-worked album with Giorgio and Pete called Wanderer; it was a fine release but could not match up to previous successes.
After that she continued releasing albums on different labels but the results weren’t as successful. In the 1990s she relocated to Nashville and started painting again – she continues exhibiting her artwork at galleries nationwide.
Personal Life
Donna Summer may be best known for her electronic dance floor sounds, but she excels across many genres. In fact, she holds the distinction of having five double albums hit number one simultaneously and four Grammy awards!
Donna was determined not to let success get in her way of enjoying family life and she and Bruce Sudano have two sons together, Derek and Austin.
While she wasn’t making music, she enjoyed painting and exploring nature. Bruce recalls that every night, she would pray. Luckily for us all, her legacy lives on through her timeless music that continues to inspire artists today.
Net Worth
Giorgio has amassed an impressive net worth through his incredible career as a composer, producer, and songwriter. He has garnered many accolades in recognition of his efforts including Best Music at Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards in 1980 for “American Gigolo” and “Foxes,” plus Composing/Producing soundtrack for 1982 movie ‘Cat People” which featured song by David Bowie himself! Additionally he wrote/produced soundtracks such as Scarface as well as being involved with restoration/editing 1927 movie “Metropolis.”
Donna Karan has become one of the premier names in high fashion design. Beginning as an assistant to Anne Klein, Donna now owns and operates her own line of apparel and accessories under her own name – Donna Karan.
