Summer, Donna (1948–)

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Summer, Donna (1948–)

African-American singer. Born Adrian Donna Gaines, Dec 31, 1948, in Boston, MA; dau. of Mary Ellen and Andrew Gaines (electrician); sister of Mary Ellen Bernard (singer); m. Helmut Sommer (actor), 1971 (div. 1976); m. Bruce Sudano (singer), July 16, 1980; children: (1st m.) Mimi Summer (b. 1974); (2nd m.) Brook Lyn Sudano (actress) (b. 1981) and Amanda Sudano (b. 1982).

Disco star of 1970s, had 21 #1 hits on Billboard Disco-Dance charts, and was 1st female performer to have 3 consecutive US #1 albums; as child, sang in churches in Boston, MA; performed in German production of musical, Hair, in Munich (1967); had huge hit with title track from debut album, Love to Love You Baby (1975), and followed up with several successful albums, including A Love Trilogy (1976), I Remember Yesterday (1977), and double platinum Bad Girls (1979); appeared in film Thank God It's Friday (1978), winning Grammy for soundtrack song, "Last Dance"; had hit with album, She Works Hard for the Money (1983), and title track went to #1 on R&B charts; after several bleak years, began performing again (1996); moved to Nashville, TN, and began writing songs for other performers, including Dolly Parton and Reba McEntire.