An Appreciation of Summer

Donna Summer died this morning at 63 years old due to complications from cancer. I’ve always been a fan of pretty much all types of music. Jazz, R&B, Rock & Roll, Pop you name it I can find something I like about it. Most people who know me are aware that I was a big fan of Disco Music. In fact when Greg, Brandol and I were roommates they famously hid my copy of the soundtrack to Saturday Night Fever because they couldn’t bear to hear one more note from the Bee Gees…ah, ha, ha, ha, stayin' alive, stayin' alive. Brass Construction, BT Express, Chic and Barry White, I loved all of it. I took a lot of heat for it but Disco paved the way for House Music which to me is one of the most underrated genres of music. Still I wasn’t initially a big fan of Donna Summer and contrary to popular belief it was Greg and not me who bought that first album of hers and introduced us all to the 17 minute opus Love to Love You Baby and it was Tanya who was in love with Last Dance. Up until this point I had always found her music a bit monotonous and repetitive, however around the time of Hot Stuff and Bad Girls my opinion began to change.

Not coincidently this was around the time I first began examining my sexual identity and going out to dance clubs. I can remember on Saturday nights at this club in Long Beach there was a competition to see whether they would play Hot Stuff or Diana Ross’ The Boss as the last song. (Anyone who knows me is sure how I voted.) Still there was something about her music that drew me to her. It was a difficult time for me, I was alone and didn’t know anyone in these clubs and for someone grappling with freshly realized emotions the freedom she expressed in her songs was refreshing. I’ve always been as equally fascinated with the lyrics as much as the music of a song, “looking for a lover who needs another, don't want another night on my own” and “someone found a letter you wrote me on the radio” or “dim all the lights sweet darling, ’cause tonight it's all the way, turn up the old Victrola, gonna dance the night away"…classics. By the time she recorded “No More Tears” with Barbra Streisand, I was hooked.

In the mid-eighties I attended one of her concerts at the Hollywood Bowl with a group of friends. I was amazed at how much more powerful her voice was in person. In fact some may be surprised to learn of Donna Summer’s connection to gospel music as she never really gained a large African-American following. We partied hard but at the time it was more of a nostalgic event because in spite of her hit “She Works Hard for the Money” her heyday had long since passed and Disco had died years earlier. But the memories it brought back were fulfilling and uplifting, not unlike the emotions I felt this morning upon hearing of her passing.

So we’ve lost yet another fantastic talent and icon and although it makes me feel older, I can’t help but embrace the moment as it takes me back to a lively and energetic period in my life. Thanks Ms. Summer, thanks for all the songs and thanks for the memories.