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Philadelphia's Music Community Remembers Donna Summer

By Pat Ciarrocchi

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Philadelphia's music community is remembering a woman who they describe as a queen. They say Donna Summer had you dancing from the first note to her soaring vocals to the last dance.

Donna Summer 1979 – if Disco was your music, then Donna was your queen. For Patty Jackson of WDAS, she was more than that.

"When I heard the news, I just burst out crying. Growing up, Donna Summer was just the essence of my life," Jackson said. "A lot of people dismissed the Disco era, but it was an era of great music and she led the charge."

Legendary disc jockey Jerry Blavat says he had no idea Summer was battling lung cancer.

"I had spoken to her about the possibility of her coming in in January with the release of the new album and doing a show with me at the Kimmel Center – a Disco show. I mean, it's really sad," said Blavat.

The five-time Grammy winner rose to fame in the seventies with hits like "Hot Stuff" and "Bad Girls" and of course the anthem of virtually every dance party, "Last Dance."

WOGLs Bob Pantano was one of the nation's first DJs to take her music out of the night clubs and bring her to the radio.

"When she was ready to go on stage, she was ready. And she gave you a show," said Bob Pantano.

Donna Summer's family released a statement saying in part they "are at peace and celebrating her extraordinary life and he continued legacy.

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