FRIENDS UNKNOWN TRIBUTE
DONNA SUMMER
- MUSIC'S QUEEN OF DANCE!
- THE ONLY TRUE DIVA!
This is a fan's tribute to a truely remarkable star and a career that continues to produce new and exciting material even after 25 plus years!
I will share my experiences/memories concerning Ms SUMMER. (Any stories, explanations, statements, quotes, or anything that seems like fact is purely my recollection of said event. Okay? I don't want any fighting kids.) I'll eventually have my own reviews section for albums, concerts and TV appearences. I will soon post my personal photos and keep on updating! Hope you enjoy your visit!
I first heard of DONNA SUMMER when the song 'LOVE TO LOVE YOU BABY' hit the airwaves in Los Angeles, 1975. I liked the song, but no more than any other on the charts. I never even thought of it in a sensuous or sexual context (I don't know how I missed that one, don't ask!). I remember reading about her in 'PEOPLE' magazine. There was something, I don't even know what, even today, But I found myself drawn to her. Along with the most awesome voice, she looked like no one else I'd ever seen. Thoes eyes! Thoes fabulous shoulders! Her trademark bangs! Her up in the air nose! And that trademark pose, head back, eyes closed, arms out. Oh what a STAR! To this day, she gives me chills and goosebumps.
1976 rolled in and I remember her first appearance on the 'American Music Awards' co-presenting with Jerry Butler.
The Look: Long black hair, layered, ends slighly curled, uneven bangs. Thick lashes, high, thin pencil brows, glossy brown lips. Her outfit was a dress and coat (kind of covered up for the sexy image).
Sometime in February or March my oldest cousin had a party and she was playing albums on a very low volume to keep noise down. I really am a music lover so she sat me by the speaker. So she puts on 'LTLYB' (the album). I COULD NOT BELIEVE MY EARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I ended up playing it over and over and over.
RUMOR MILL: Some say, Donna was really having sex during the recording of this song. Or she was getting a massage, or she's playing with herself, or with some toys, or even laying on the floor with a mic stand. And of course the count, 21 orgasms. Well, the "official?" (I'll go with the first one I heard) word was; Donna did the song as a dare. "I was always the funny girl. There was this french love making song out called 'JeTaime'. I jokingly said, we should do a song like that. Everyone stopped, looked stunned, and said in unison YOU!?! SEXY!?! I said, anyone can be sexy. So I came up with an idea of the lryics and showed them to Georgio (Moroder). He said, Donna this is good! I came in the next day and he (Georgio) had laid out all these tracks and he wanted me to do the vocals. I said, Oh no, I'm not going to sing that, get someone else. Georgio said, just do the demo. So we tried it up-tempo, down, high, low, nothing worked. As time went on, more and more people gathered in the studio, even reporters and a photographer. We were just too distracted. Georgio cleared out the studio, turned off all the lights and it happened, like magic, we did it."
No matter how it was done, I loved it! Sometime shortly after, 'COULD IT BE MAGIC' hit the airwaves, I was hooked! 'A LOVE TRILOGY' came out and I got both albums and played the heck out of them! By the summer of '76 I had all my friends and family grooving to DONNA. The Spinners were comming to town (The Greek Theatre) with special guest DONNA SUMMER! I got my tickets! Another cousin went with me and I'll tell you "SUMMER FEVER" hit me even more than before.
REVIEWSoon DONNA was on 'American Bandstand'
Songs: LOVE TO LOVE YOU BABY & TRY ME, I KNOW WE CAN MAKE IT
The Look: Hair: Dark, wavy, bangs, shoulder length, out at the ends (we called it the egyptian look).
Dress: Long , bodice in sequin vertical stripes in varying shades of beige & brown, v-neck to the waist, short little sleeves. Skirt was same stripe, gathered at the waist, flowing to ankel length.
Make-up: She had grown soft brows, thicker than usual, nicely groomed, pretty lashes, brown/burgundy lips.
Dick Clark got her to do a little of 'LTLYB' in German. Another appearence was on 'The Mike Douglas Show'! (this may have been before AB)
Songs: LOVE TO LOVE YOU BABY & COULD IT BE MAGIC (live!)
The Look: Hair: Dark, layered, uneven bangs. Sides a few inches past shoulders, uneven ends, waves thoughout but not "Big" hair.
Dress: Black caftan, keyhole neck with ties, embroidered clouds on each side by the shoulders.
Make-up: Thin high pencil brows, light shadow, grey, lid to brow, brown lips. See the back cover of the 'Love Trilogy' album! Mike kept making fun of 'LTLYB' "It's not hard to remember thoes words" (he said it more than once, Donna didn't hear it the first time).
Oh! I wish I had a VCR back then. Needless to say, I was totally thrilled to see her! When September came so did 'SPRING AFFAIR'. Oh what a song! as soon as the 'FOUR SEASONS OF LOVE' album came out I snatched one up! And the BIG bonus, a Calendar! WOW! DONNA's next TV spot was on Soul Train
Songs: SPRING AFFAIR & WINTER MELODY
The Look:Hair: It was like on the 'Love Trilogy' album, but very flat, close to the head, like it was just trimmed.
Dress: Blue satin one piece outfit. The top was fitted like a dress with straps, the bottom was peddal pushers. There was a stem comming up one leg leading to a flower on the blouse (it sounds as bad as it looked! LOL). This came with two variations, a white skirt tied at the waist, or a white shirt tied at the waist.
Then an appearence on Don Kirshner's Rock Concert.
Songs:'COME WITH ME' & 'COULD IT BE MAGIC' & 'SPRING AFFAIR' and DONNA did her soon to be famous 'MY MAN MEDLEY'.
DONNA hits the cover of JET.Then years end came with DONNA hosting 'New Years Rockin' Eve' I know ther were other acts, but I only remember DONNA!
Songs: TRY ME' & 'SPRING AFFAIR'
1977 came and March brought the 'I REMEMBER YESTERDAY' album. DONNA made an appearence on the 'Mac Davis Show'
The Look: Like a Bloomingdale's Cleopatra, just beautiful. She sang one song, 'A SONG FOR YOU' just fantastic!
Soon 'I FEEL LOVE' was the big hit and 'DOWN, DEEP INSIDE' from 'The Deep' soudtrack was released (2 versions!).
There was a cute commercial running for 'IRY'
The Look White, top hat, jacket with tails, and a sequin decorated dance outfit (legs up to her waist), and no bangs! (first time, except for the album cover) hair combed back on top, curls on the sides and back, just past the shoulders. And with a dancing cane in tow, she's singing 'IRY'and tipping her hat as the camera moves in to a close up, then they cut to the album's back cover photo, close up moving out to 'I FEEL LOVE/CANT WE JUST SIT DOWN AND TALK IT OVER' to end (all of 30 seconds!).
DONNA & MIMI are on the cover of EBONY magazine. Around October or November I was in the record store and came upon a fantastic, beautiful album cover, 'ONCE UPON A TIME'. I had heard nothing about this album comming out! What a suprise!
The Once Upon A Time Release StoryRUMOR MILLBack when 'Four Seasons' came out, I heard this one; Donna Summer is really a man in drag. Of course I laughed it off, never even considered it to be true, never thought of it again..........but, apparently the rumor gained some serious steam whe the 'IRY' album came out. Some thought DONNA looked a little masculine in the cover photo. It must have been a problem, cause the 'OUAT' album was rush released. Neil Borgart sent DONNA to photographer Francesco Scavullo and his team for an extra glamourous cover shoot. The results of these fantastic photos, show a beauty which had not been captured before. Not only did DONNA look stunning, but now she had a new trademark"Look". And no one could mistake her gender now.
Actually I saw the album and didn't realize it was DONNA til I read it. Needless to say, I grabbed a copy and ran to the check out! I had the album quite a while before I found out 'I LOVE YOU' was the first single. I think that was it for this year.
January 1978, One night my friend called me, all excited "Donna Summer is on the Merv Griffin!!!..." I hung up, was in front of the TV before she could say "show!". There she was in living color.
The Look:Hair: Dark, straight, shoulder length, ends turned under, parted on one side, all the top pulled over into a side ponytail.
Make-up: Kind of natural, brows were high, but not too thin, nice lashes, red lips.
Dress: Black sequined vest type top. Long black flowing skirt.
Songs: I LOVE YOU & ... Neil & Joyce Bogart were guests. DONNA was very shy, (I think sharing the stage with them did it) 'LAST DANCE' is previewed.......more to come...
Billboard #1 Awards: Donna wins 1!
Merv Griffin Disco Party: 'TGIF' preview
Midnight Special : Love & Kisses...
Paul Anka Specials
AB hosting
'THANK GOD IT'S FRIDAY'
ONCE UPON A TIME TOUR: 3 Nights in L.A.!
June 17,1978 By the time Once Upon A Time came out, my Parents were Donna Summer fans too. When they advertised the concert, I asked my Dad if he could get me tickets. Well it turned out he had a friend who worked a Universal! He got 10 tickets! 13th row! Right away I told him I needed 5 of them. Mine were for my Graduation! So I invited my 2 best friends (and Donna fans) and my 2 disco cousins. He kept the other 5 for Mom and 3 friends.There was magic in the air. The Universal Amplitheater was still an outdoor venue. The weather was very nice, the sun just down for the night, so the place was still a bit lit. On each side of the stage, climbing vines. We walked in well before dark. The Ushers handed out little programs that looked like the Once Upon a Time album. Inside was the list of this night's songs. What a treasure! I checked out the crowd, wishing I was an adult, free to be me, but I was just a kid. I don't remember if they announced it, or just flashed the lights to signal the time to get to your seats....
Midnight Special:
LIVE & MORE album released: Hits #1
Mac Arthur Park hits #1
1979
The Merv Griffin Show: Donna sings The Way We Were in a Columbia Pictures tribute.
American Music Awards: Donna Co-host: 3 wins!
Grammy Awards: Presents w/Andy Gibb. 1 win!
Oscars! Donna sings LAST DANCE
Year of the Child Special: Donna sings Fairy tale high, MIMI's Song
Donna's fight for 'HOT STUFF': Give it to Cher?
BAD GIRLS album
The Tom Snyder Show
BAD GIRLS TOUR
Donna on 20/20: "It's been really hard for me to sing LTLYB"
DONNA at THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL: Taping of her TV Special 'Dim all the lights' story
No More Tears (Enough is Enough)
ON THE RADIO
The Tonight Show: Johnny won't shup up!
1980
American Music Awards: Donna wins 3!
Entertainer of the Year Awards: Donna wins Singer of the Year!
The Dinah Shore Show
The Tonight Show (George Carlin Hosting) Donna cuts loose!
The DONNA SUMMER Special
Segment 1: Once upon a time theme to 3 images of Donna, 1 facing right on right, 1 left on left, 1 forward on center, right and left turning to center to make 1 image. Donna speaks "Once upon a time, there was a girl, who believed all her dreams could come true." Fade to stain glass and church scene. Choir singing, Donna's a teenager, short hair, no make-up, singing her heart out. Song ends and kids split up for home. Donna' mom is the conductor, "Donna, don't forget to practice your solo." Donna: "Don't worry, I'll practice." Donna gazes up, "Practice, practice..." Suddenly she's Donna of '79. The music starts "Dim all the l-i-g-h-t-s, Dim all the l--i--g--h--t--s. Donna sings the first verse as the camera moves in for a close up. When se gets to "let it fill you u------p" You're suddenly at the Hollywood Bowl concert! Donna sings 'Dim All The Lights' "Thank you, Good evening everybody! Hi out there! .....Welcome to my living room. I invited you and 17 thousand of my closes friends! Are you ready!?!" (crowd roars) DS: "Alright" removes her cocoon jacket to reveal a short jacket and tight dress, "I've been on a diet you know...It ain't been easy, but it sure has been tight" looks up to heaven "I'm sorry"..."Anyway...I want you to try me 'cause I know we can make it" as the band starts 'Try Me' ...
Segment 2: Mimi is featured, Donna:" Once upon a time there was a little girl named Mimi......" Fades to a childs room set. Donna & Mimi in their pj's. Donna puts Mimi to bed and sings 'Fairy Tale High' and Mimi drops off to sleep. Fade to a dream sequence wher Mimi is on stage dressed just like Donna. Back to Donna turning off the lights. Next, Donna sings 'On the Radio' ( it's quite evedent Donna is somewhat disturbed about somthing. The extent of which we will not know for a while, in this performance which can only be called haunting)..
Segment 3: 'HOT STUFF' live form the Hollywood Bowl
Segment 4: Donna continues 'Once Upon A Time', "Once upon a time a man would come and give her everything she vants, and loves. Someone who'll be kind, sweet, gentle" ......................more to come
The Lawsuit: Donna vs Casablanca
The Grammy Awards: Donna is a suprise performer. Wins 1! BEST ROCK PERFORMANCE, FEMALE for HOT STUFF
The American Movie Awards: Donna presents Song of the Year.
Donna & Bruce get Married: Donna's "PG"
Donna Signs with Geffin
THE WANDERER album released
Brooklyn is born
1981
The Grammy Awards: Donna presents.
I"M A RAINBOW album: never to be heard?
The Tom Snyder Show: Donna sings Cold Love, The Wanderer, On the Radio
Interview topics: Marriage, Baby, Drag Queen Rumour "My Mother Loved that one", Religion "I never stopped my faith, I just chose to walk closer with God", New tour "I just gonna do Donna Summer"
The 1981 Tour: Last dance for 'LTLYB'?
1982
The American Music Awards: Donna Co-Hosts w/red hair! Performs Hot Stuff
The "Quincy Jones" album
Amanda Grace is born
The Merv Griffin Show : Donna looks stunning! Sings 'State of Independence'
Solid Gold : Looks Great again! Sings 'State'
Solid Gold Christmas:
1983
The Grammy Awards: Presents with Quincy Jones, Best Pop Vocal-Female (Melissa Manchester) Donna is nominated for: Best R&B Vocal-Female (Finger on the Trigger) and Best Rock Vocal-Female (Protection)
She Works Hard For The Money
'Romeo'
The Tour:
A Hot Summer Night
'FRAMED' album scrapped?
1984
Donna on the Disney Anniversary Special
Cats Without Claws
Soul Train
The Rainbow Tour
Opening Number:
The Look:
Dress:
Hair:
Make-up
1985
'SILVERGIRL' another scrapped album?
1986
1987
ALL SYSTEMS GO
Dinner With Gershwin
The Tour: Donna in top form! Presented in two acts.
1988
'ANOTHER PLACE AND TIME' album recorded: Geffin hates the album and drops Donna!
1989
Atlantic Records releases 'Another Place and Time'
This Time I Know It's For Real
Donna makes a BIG splash with her art!
1990
1991
MistakenIdentity CD released
Donna Sues New York Magazine
1992
1993
Anthology released
1994
Endless Summer released
Melody Of Love
1995
Valentines Day: Donna performs Melody of Love on Letterman
1996
A&E Biography: Donna Summer airs
1997
Donna records a duet with Liza Minelli, Does He Love You
I'm A Rainbow finally released!
1998
1999
Live & More Encore, Television special airs and CD is released
VH1's Behind The Music
I Will Go With You single is released
The Rosie O'Donnell Show
The Today Show
The Oprah Winfrey Show
The View
The 1999 Tour
2000
DIVAS 2000/A Tribute To Diana Ross
VH1's production to benefit 'Save the Music', starring Mariah Carey, Faith Hill, Rupaul, Destiny's Child, the Supremes, Donna Summer, & Diana Ross. Needless to say Donna really shined brighter than any of these other stars. Donna performed three songs: The Supremes hit 'Reflections', Donna's own 'Bad Girls' & 'Love Is The Healer'
Dreamcatcher (Naturally Native Soundtrack)
When I Look Up
The Power Of One (Pokimon Soundtrack)
When The Dream Never Dies(The Child Of The Promise)
Take Heart (Mercy Project)
Rosie Christmas (Another Rosie Christmas)
2001
Last update: 01/03/01
e-mail : donnafan@angelfire.com
