RIP to the Queen of Disco

We’re shocked and saddened to hear about the sudden passing of another influential musician/singer, Donna Summer, today at the age of 63. I have fond memories of dancing to her music, whether I was an 8-year old trying to emanate the disco moves in my living room, as an 18-year old dancing away at the I-Beam or the Cafe in San Francisco or even playing her music on the Desilicious dance floor in 2012. And, who can forget her “Last Dance” performance in one of the best disco movies of all time – “Thank God it’s Friday”!

Nick Rhodes of Duran Duran (who was heavily influenced by the music of Donna Summer) said it best about her music and the seminal track “I Feel Love” – ” I just heard the very sad news that Donna Summer has passed away. For me, there is no doubt that her song ‘I Feel Love’ had a dramatic effect on1 modern music. it was certainly a key influence on my work with Duran Duran. Together with producer Giorgio Moroder, Donna pioneered the use of electronic sequencers in dance music. Today that sound that seems so familiar, but in 1977, it was a brave new frontier. It’s extremely rare that you hear one song that completely changes the way you perceive music, I Feel Love, achieved that.”