Disco Queen Donna Summer Dead At 63

Known internationally as the "Queen of Disco" and an all-around gay icon, Donna Summer lost her fight with cancer today at the age of 63.

Her family released a statement Thursday saying Summer had died and that they "are at peace celebrating her extraordinary life and her continued legacy."

TMZ was the first to report that the five-time Grammy winner was in Florida and putting the finishing touches on a new album at the time of her death.

The report adds, "We spoke to someone who was with Summer a couple of weeks ago ... who says she didn't seem too bad."

Summer had been living in Englewood, Fla. with her husband Bruce Sudano.

Summer was born LaDonna Adrian Gaines in Boston, Mass., in 1948, as one of seven children. She was raised on Gospel music

She rose to fame in the 1970s, scoring hits with "Last Dance," "Hot Stuff" and "Bad Girls." She co-wrote the single "Love to Love You Baby" in 1975, and went on to co-write several other hits, including "She Works Hard For Her Money."

"Love to Love You Baby" was her U.S. chart debut and the first of 19 No. 1 dance hits between 1975 and 2008 - second only to Madonna.

This Montclair Patch editor remembers dancing often to "Last Dance" as a teenager. What do you remember about Summer? Tell us in the comments section below.

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