She rocketed to fame on the crest of the million selling (and somewhat controversial) hit "Love to Love You Baby" released in the Winter of 1975. The song, with it's very suggestive lyrics and delivery was he first million seller. It was two years before she returned to the charts, but when she made her "comeback" , there was no stopping her..

 

People had begun to write her off as a "one hit wonder" ..she proved them wrong in September of 1977 with another smoker called "I Feel Love" it went to #6 on the charts and sold another million. From then until her last Top 40 hit in 1989 (This Time I Know It's For Real")..she racked up 20 Top 40 records..9 of them million sellers and three Platinum Hits with "Hot Stuff", "Bad Girls" and a duet with Barbra Streisand called "Enough is Enough"

Her song "She Works Hard For The Money", while not a million seller, took her to #3 on the charts and became an anthem for the women's movement.

She later expressed embarrassment about her 70's ultra sexy image saying she didn't feel right about the image she had portrayed.

Summer had been living in Englewood, Fla., with her husband Bruce Sudano and had been working on a new album at the time of her death.

 

Known as the "Queen of Disco," Summer was born LaDonna Adrian Gaines in Boston, Mass., in 1948, as one of seven children. She was raised on Gospel music

SSummer also appeared in the 1978 film, "Thank God It's Friday," which took home the best original song Oscar for "Last Dance."

Summer's last album, "Crayons," came out in 2008. She also performed on "American Idol" that year with its top female contestants. In 2010, Summer appeared on "America's Got Talent."

Summer married Brooklyn Dreams vocalist Sudano in 1980. She is survived by her husband, three daughters and four grandchildren.

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