Legendary singer Donna Summer, whose powerful voice and string of hit songs like "Bad Girls" and "Hot Stuff" provided the soundtrack for the disco era, died today, her family confirmed. She was 63.
"Early this morning, we lost Donna Summer Sudano, a woman of many gifts, the greatest being her faith," family of the singer said in a statement.
"While we grieve her passing, we are at peace celebrating her extraordinary life and her continued legacy. Words truly can't express how much we appreciate your prayers and love for our family at this sensitive time."
Often called the Queen of Disco, Summer was born LaDonna Adrian Gaines on Dec. 31, 1948, in Boston. She began singing early in the church choir and by her teens had formed several musical groups.
Disco became as much defined by her sultry, sexual vocals -- her bedroom moans and sighs -- as the relentless, pulsing rhythms of the music itself.
Her first album, "Lady of the Night," arrived in 1974 in Europe, and 1975's "Love to Love You Baby" brought her worldwide fame.
In the 1978 disco film "Thank God it's Friday," her song "Last Dance" won Summer her first Grammy.
Unlike some other stars of disco who faded as the music became less popular, Summer was able to grow beyond it and later segued to a pop-rock sound. She had one of her biggest hits in the 1980s with "She Works Hard For The Money," which became another anthem, this time for women's rights.
She was never comfortable with the "Disco Queen" label. Musically, she began to change in 1979 with "Hot Stuff," which had a tough, rock `n' roll beat. Her diverse sound helped her earn Grammy Awards in the dance, rock, R&B and inspirational categories.
She released her last album, "Crayons," in 2008. She also performed on "American Idol" that year with its top female contestants.
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