Donna Summer

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Donna Summer Died of Lung Cancer

Originally posted 05/18/2012 01:45PM

Although it was announced that Donna Summer's death on Thursday was due to cancer, in some quarters it was speculated that it may have been breast cancer.

That was not the case, her family says in a statment, giving the cause of death as lung cancer, while also clarifying that her cancer "was not related to smoking."

"Ms. Summer was a non-smoker," says the statement. "Obviously, numerous factors can be attributed to the cause of cancer in general, but any details regarding the diagnosis and subsequent treatment of Ms. Summer's case remain between her family and team of doctors."

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Filed Under: Death, Tributes, Health, Barack Obama, Donna Summer

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Donna Summer Dies: Dolly Parton, Aretha Franklin Mourn Her Passing

Originally posted 05/17/2012 06:45PM

Following the sad news on Thursday that disco legend Donna Summer lost her battle with cancer, celebrity fans have expressed their appreciation for the singer.

"So shocking to hear about the passing of Donna Summer," Aretha Franklin said in a statement. "In the '70s, she reigned over the disco era and kept the disco jumping. Who will forget, 'Last Dance?' [She was] a fine performer and a very nice person."

Barbra Streisand said she was "shocked" to hear about the death of Summer, 63, who never let on to the public that she was so sick.

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Filed Under: Tributes, Katharine McPhee, Aretha Franklin, Barbra Streisand, Billy Ray Cyrus, Dolly Parton, Donna Summer, Solange Knowles

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Remembering Donna Summer: Listen to Her Greatest Hits

Originally posted 05/17/2012 01:00PM

From frisky anthems like "Bad Girls" and "Hot Stuff" to club anthem "Last Dance," Donna Summer provided the soundtrack to the '70s.

Now, PEOPLE honors the late singer, who died May 17 after a battle with cancer, with a Spotify playlist of her most memorable songs.

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Filed Under: Tributes, Music News, Donna Summer

Credit: Ron Wolfson/Landov

UpdatePosted 05/17/2012 12:30PM

Donna Summer Is Dead

Originally posted 05/17/2012 12:10PM

Donna Summer, whose pulsating hits "I Feel Love," "Last Dance" and "MacArthur Park" provided the disco soundtrack for the 1970s, has died at age 63.

Her family confirmed Summer's death, saying in a statement that they "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," the statement continued.

A onetime backup singer for Three Dog Night, Summer, who was born LaDonna Gaines, hit the American charts with the sexually charged "Love to Love You Baby," released in 1975 amid controversy that it was too steamy for radio. The song gained popularity, though, and became a huge favorite in discotheques.

The five-time Grammy winner went on to release a string of dance-friendly songs whose overt sexuality clashed with Summer's strict Christian upbringing in a family of seven children in Boston.

"I Feel Love" became a top 10 single in 1977 and her disco interpretation of the ballad "MacArthur Park" in 1978 was her first number one song. "Last Dance" from the Thank God It's Friday soundtrack earned Summer her first Grammy.