Find out how to watch the brand new Donna Summer season documentary on HBO and the way did the disco icon die?
4 min read
The phrase trailblazer will get banded round quite a bit, however in terms of Donna Summer season, she’s actually deserving of the title.
A disco diva who set the world alight with iconic classics together with Like to Love you Child and Final Dance, the complete, frank and infrequently stunning story of the singer is one way more layered than individuals would possibly count on.
With HBO’s new documentary, titled Like to Love You, Donna Summer season, the singer’s daughter Brooklyn Sudano and the movie’s co-director Oscar winner Roger Ross Williams study the icon’s life, providing never-before-seen footage and interviews with those that knew her finest to discover the lifetime of an elusive celebrity.
Right here, we take a look at the historical past of the ‘Queen of Disco,’ among the largest revelations from the brand new movie, and learn how to watch the brand new HBO documentary.
When did Donna Summer season begin singing?
Donna Summer season actually broke out into the mainstream through the disco period of the Nineteen Seventies, changing into often called the “Queen of Disco”, as she helped transcend the style.
Whereas she reigned over the disco dancefloors of the 70s, Donna’s large break truly got here slightly earlier than the world was gripped by Saturday Evening Fever.
Influenced by the counterculture of the Sixties, Donna’s first foray into showbiz began because the lead singer of a psychedelic rock band named Crow.
(Picture credit score: GAB Archive/Redferns)
In 1968, she joined a German adaptation of the hippie musical Hair in Munich, the place she spent a number of years dwelling, performing, and singing.
It was right here the place she’d meet legendary disco producers Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte – a gathering that will spawn a few of her largest hits – and among the largest disco hits in historical past – together with I Really feel Love and Sizzling Stuff.
She would go on to promote over 100 million data worldwide, making her one of many best-selling music artists of all time.
Donna Summer season documentary: what are among the shocking revelations?
Within the HBO documentary, followers be taught that the Queen of Disco was a non-public individual – even together with her family.
In truth, it’s revealed her kids have been by no means allowed in her bed room.
One in every of her daughters explains that they “would discover out issues by studying newspaper articles they’d clipped out and hidden in locations.”
One other troubling revelation from the movie means that, beneath the feelgood music she made, Donna had confronted some stunning abuse in her life.
(Picture credit score: Joan Adlen/Getty Pictures)
Donna claimed she had been molested by a minister as an adolescent. The allegations have been confirmed by her brother, who mentioned that the minister “did the Satan’s work higher than most.”
Later, boyfriend Peter Mühldorfer would develop into violent in the direction of her, one thing which he confirms, stating within the movie “I hit her and I by no means might forgive myself.”
One factor many followers would possibly tune in to the Donna Summer season documentary for is an exploration on the controversy surrounding her later years – notably her feedback that have been seen as homophobic.
Whereas she was the Queen of Disco and beloved by many homosexual males through the 70s, Donna returned to her Christian roots by the 80s, with a revamped sound and a extra conservative look.
(Picture credit score: Paul Natkin/Getty Pictures)
There was one 1983 live performance the place it was alleged on the time the singer made quite a few feedback, bearing on AIDS and homosexuality.
Alleged homophobic feedback made throughout an 1983 live performance included telling her viewers, “It was Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve”, “I’ll pray for you tonight” and “I’ve seen the evil homosexuality come out of you individuals … AIDS is your sin…”
It’s vital to notice Donna Summer season all the time vehemently denied these feedback. Members of the family insist that feedback calling AIDS a divine reckoning have been falsely attributed to her, and she or he by no means mentioned them.
The documentary movie features a transient snippet of a press convention through which Donna clarified the misunderstanding and requested for forgiveness.
How did Donna Summer season die?
Donna Summer season died on Could 17, 2012, from lung most cancers, at her dwelling in Naples, Florida.
(Picture credit score: Beth Gwinn/Redferns)
She was 63 years previous.
Find out how to watch the Donna Summer season documentary
Like to Love You, Donna Summer season debuted on MAX (beforehand HBO Max) on Saturday, Could 20.
It’s now out there to stream with a legitimate MAX account.
