Donna Adriane Gaines (Donna Summer)

Donna Summer (http://www.donna-tribute.com/)

                    Donna Summer is my hero because she made it possible for African American women to sing and write music. She was born December 31, 1948.  She was born in Dorchester, Massachusetts. Her mom being teacher and her dad a butcher, Summer had a boring childhood.

                    Summer is married to Bruce Sudano.  Summer has 2 daughters.  She also has 3 grandchildren.

                    Donna Summer started singing in Boston Area choirs. Then she started singing secular. Later while in high school, she started skipping to sing in a local band. Two months before graduation she dropped out. She then performed in the German production of "Hair." In 1971 she moved to Austria and married a local actor, Helmet Sommer. For the next 8 years she lived in Europe. Then her marriage failed, but she kept an Anglicized version of her divorced husband's last name. After that she moved back to Germany. She was most known for the 17 minute disco anthem.

                    She was born Donna Adriane Gaines. In 1974 she had her first European hit "The Hostage". In 1975 her first American hit "Love to you Baby". She received Best R&B Vocal Performance Female for 'Last Dance'. 1984 won Best Inspirational Performance for 'Forgive Me'. Summer won her last Grammy in 1997 for Best Dance Recording for 'Carry On'.

                    Donna Summer was a wonderful woman who paved the way for upcoming African American female artists. She came from Boston choirs and made something of herself. Even though she came from a working class family and dropped out of school she became a star. That is why I chose Donna Summer as my hero.