The five-times Grammy winning “queen of disco” passed away in Florida after a long battle with cancer.
The superstar famed for the disco hits I Feel Love, Hot Stuff and Bad Girls died this morning, her publicist has confirmed.
Sources say she had attempted to conceal the severity of her illness as she tried to finish her latest album.
Born Donna Gaines in Boston, Massachusetts, Summer learned to sing in church before fronting a series of bands and appearing in the musicals Hair and Porgy and Bess.
Working as a session singer brought her into contact with the producers Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte and together they established her as one of the biggest acts of the 1970s.
She made her breakthrough with Love To Love You Baby in 1975. The extended 16-minute version of was a big club hit, but was banned from several radio stations because of her “suggestive” vocal style.
Summer was married to musician Bruce Sudano and the mother of three daughters. A statement issued on behalf of her family hailed her as “a woman of many gifts”.
“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.”
Record producer Pete Waterman, who worked with Summer in the 1980s, said she was “a lovely person”.
“Whenever you were with her she made you feel so special. She had all the talent but she gave you all the credit. She was not a diva in any shape or form.”
“What a voice she had,” he added, “She used to warm up in the ladies toilet and everyone in our building would stop and it would come to a standstill to hear her warm up.”
Twitter tributes are already flowing for the five-times Grammy and six-times American Music award winner who stole the heart of disco in the 1970s.
Singer Kylie Minogue wrote: “One of my earliest musical inspirations, RIP Donna Summer #BadGirlsForEver”
The Scissor Sisters singer Ana Matronic tweeted: “As amazing as last night’s show was, something tells me tonight is going to be LEGENDARY. We’ll be doing it for Donna tonight!! xxANA”
Producer Quincy Jones said: “Rest in Peace dear Donna Summer. Your voice was the heartbeat and soundtrack of a decade.”
Singer Natasha Bedingfield wrote: “Just heard that #DonnaSummer died today. This is awful! She was so incredible. Her and her family are some of the most beautiful people.”
The Charlatans’ singer Tim Burgess, meanwhile, linked to the video for I Feel Love saying: “Wow. Shocking news that Donna Summer has died. Spend 15 minutes listening to this and remembering how brilliant she was.”
Here she is singing I Feel Love live in 1978.