Donna Summer Dead at 63
Donna Summer
Disco legend Donna Summer died Thursday morning at the age of 63, CNN has confirmed.
A cause of death was not revealed, but according to TMZ, the five-time Grammy winner had been battling cancer.
"Early this morning, we lost Donna Summer Sudano, a woman of many gifts, the greatest being her faith," a family statement said. "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."
Summer, who became known as the Queen of Disco, began her career as a backup singer for the trio Three Dog Night. She rose to fame in '70s and defined the sound of the decade after launching her solo career with such hit singles as "Last Dance," "Hot Stuff" and "Bad Girls."
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The singer/songwriter strayed from disco in the '80s and developed a more soulful, rock 'n' roll sound. "She Works Hard for the Money," released in 1983, became her biggest hit of the decade.
Over her career, Summer released 17 studio albums and charted 14 Billboard top 10 singles, four of which hit No. 1. Her most recent album, Crayons, was released in 2008. According to TMZ, Summer was working on an album at the time of her death.
Summer is survived by her husband of 32 years, Bruce Sudano of the '70s music group Brooklyn Dreams, and their two daughters, Brooklyn and Amanda.