Disco’s Daring Diva: The Donna Summer Effect

Sadly, yesterday the world bid goodbye to music legend Donna Summer.

Branded the Queen of Disco, Summer reigned over charts at a time where very few women, especially those of color, earned the title ‘sex symbol’ while simultaneously maintaining a level of class that restrained her sexuality from defining her image…

The original “naughty girl”, Summer effortlessly blended sex, fashion, and music to boldly profess her femininity – taking charge of her image in a way no woman had really done before her. With lyrics and stage shows that often left many-a-jaw dropped, the electric diva (unlike so many today) could back it up with soaring vocal displays.

Contrary to many of her peers, the death of disco by no means signaled the death of her career. Spanning hits through the 80s and 90s, her ‘Queen of Disco’ billing by no means confined her to that era.

Proof of that, though often uncredited, can be evidenced in Summer’s ongoing influence to current pop music. Through samples (Beyonce, Madonna), or even just the disco-reminiscent styling of techno pop, the Rihannas, Lady Gagas, Kelly Rowlands, and co. by-and-large owe their success to Donna Summer.

We at That Grape Juice love to love ya Donna! Legends never have their last dance…they live on forever.

Donna Summer

1948-Forever