American Bandstand - XMAS w/ Donna Summer

From Dec. 22, 1984. This is a Christmas episode of American Bandstand with Donna Summer. RIP to both Dick Clark and just recently, Donna Summer. Not an OB but from "The Best of American Bandstand" on VH1.
Sorry for the low audio. Donna Summer performance @ 7:44 - 17:37

[@strictlynorton]

Donna was a class act.... from start to finish. Gone way too soon. Rest in Peace.

[@georgegriendlingjr3218]

Donna Summer was an exceptional singer, and AB was a classic TV show.

[@phillygrl69]

I miss these Christmas's from the '80s..

[@vanaphill2454]

This Christmas show was so special. God bless Dick Clark and Donna Summer. .

[@rogersachs9]

Watching this reminds me of how cool the 80s were. I miss the 80s every single day. And I miss Donna Summer.

[@focusedfreebird]

Roger A. Mueller I hear ya....me too...loved the eighties!

[@bigolebot]

The last great decade. Is a shame 80s and 90s babies missed out

[@user-zc5ih1lg5j]

I miss her ❤

[@stevencalderon8649]

Great Dick Clark was awesome thanks so much

[@supachaloopa3611]

One of the greatest singers of my lifetime. She was always a professional- no matter what critics said, she knew her worth in the music industry and she contributed to her career beyond what was needed to succeed. Always grateful and humble, I don't think she had any enemies in the music industry- except perhaps Neil Bogart, then president of Casablanca Records, but then who doesn't have disputes with their boss? Most people may already know this, but these 2 songs in the video above came from her most highly anticipated album at Geffen Records- 1984's CATS WITHOUT CLAWS. When she left Casablanca Records in 1980 and began the back and forth lawsuits with Casablanca, she was signed on by David Geffen's new label Geffen Records, she released 2 albums for them- THE WANDERER (1980) and DONNA SUMMER (1982). The lawsuit with Casablanca was finally settled- she was to provide 1 more album to them, which by now Neil Bogart sold Casablanca to Mercury Records (and started up a new record label called Boardwalk Records), so she hooked up with songwriter/producer Michael Omartian and they created the fantastic 1983 album SHE WORKS HARD FOR THE MONEY. Unfortunately for Geffen Records, that album became a huge hit for Mercury and really caused a riff between David Geffen & Donna Summer. David felt she should have recorded a crappy album for Mercury and save the best stuff for his label. Donna felt she owed it to herself and her fans to always do the best she can and create an album better than the last one- which any self-respecting artist would do. So David had Donna work with Michael Omartian again with the hope that the 2 could produce another hit album. Unfortunately, the CATS WITHOUT CLAWS album did not sell well and David gracefully let Donna go- no lawsuits, no threats, just end her contract and both move on. Yeah, I know... too much info. But the CATS WITHOUT CLAWS has some of the best post-disco songs she ever recorded on it- dance songs like Supernatural Love, It's Not The Way, There Goes My Baby, Cats Without Claws, etc. When Donna wrote her autobiography in 2003, called ORDINARY GIRL- THE JOURNEY (and released it with a 2cd set of Greatest Hits and new songs, also called THE JOURNEY), she received a lot of criticism for skimming over her years at Casablanca Records- a lot of fans wanted to read about the infamous drug parties, the illegal payolas, etc. Donna simply replied- "That was their lives not mine. I wrote about my life. I told my story". She was a class act and I miss her a lot.

[@SmartRobot-wc2fb]

Supa Chaloopa: Thanks for the info. She was incredible. "Supernatural Love" is a great song though. Probably David Geffen didn't put enough effort in making sure "Cats Without Claws" would be a big hit, like, for instance, suggesting other high profile producers for her at the time apart from Michael Omartian. From what I've been reading overtime, he was better with some white artists like Stevie Nicks. He messed up with Joni Mitchel's "Dog Eat Dog" around that same time. And many criticized him because he hadn't a clue about managing black artists whatsoever. In that sense, it was a mistake for Donna recording in his label, except for the 1982 "Donna Summer" album that had Quincy Jones on command, but Quincy simply had the midas touch...

[@supachaloopa3611]

@@SmartRobot-wc2fb So true. Had Geffen brought in Moroder/Bellotte to reform the "Three Germans" once again, I still believe it could've made a huge difference. Moroder had moved on to working with acts like Irene Cara, Berlin, Debbie Harry, David Bowie, etc., and soundtracks as well. That would have been the perfect time in the ever-evolving musical changes the industry was going through to have the 3 work together again. But it is what it is, and at least Donna got the chance to prove she can work well with other songwriters and producers in the industry. (I'm well aware Donna wasn't German, but the phrase "The Three Germans" was actually coined by Neil Bogart back in the late 70's when he discussed the success of the three with her albums.) It would be nice if just the sessions those 3 did (strictly the productions crediting Moroder/Bellotte/Summer) were released in a cd boxset along with any outtakes, alternate versions, demos, etc. and titled THE THREE GERMANS. The huge cd boxset ENCORE was nice, but this would be just strictly those 3. Just an idea.

[@davidfischer6923]

RIP Donna

[@ethelmason9394]

has the voice of an angel on Earth.

[@nikkiking2932]

Im so happy to find this! I'm one of those kids ( who stuck her tongue out) and yes Im WAY older than the dancers on the show ;)

[@marcdavis82280]

That was so funny. Dick said not to do that.

[@msmoec21]

That’s so funny I saw myself on here at 5:58 seconds my aunt danced on the show for years and got us on. And you’re right quite a bit older than the dancers lol

[@bigolebot]

@@msmoec21 At least she's telling the truth... Unlike an 80s baby who missed out on Donna Summer when she was the Beyonce of my era.

[@louisramosLEFTYLOUIE]

DONNA SUMMER !SO SPECIAL !I MISS HER WHAT A TALENTED LADY !

[@damienchance2622]

I miss her too

[@BomberMonkAssassin32]

Donna Summer performed these same two songs on December,14,1984 when she was Soul Train & she is performing them on Bandstand...

[@tod3msn]

VH1 should dig up some of these “Best Of American Bandstand” shows.

[@ralphmundy6087]

1980s love it

[@blandbiz]

Thank You. Rip, Donna Summer.

[@Gioveolympus]

Donna's daughter, Mimi, was in the kids' audience at 6:47 ;-)

[@JayTemple]

Funny, for me AB by itself doesn't bring back memories, but seeing VH1's repackage makes me think of when I had cable TV for the first time. This was one of the first shows that I stayed up late to watch.

[@PatJK910]

Thanks for uploading this episode of American Bandstand this was my favorite episode everytime I watched the Best of American Bandstand.

[@bmhedgehog2]

Thanks for sharing this wonderful vid. Paying a wonderful tribute to both Donna and Dick.

[@davidfischer6923]

That,s nice

[@spiceman7982]

youre welcome

[@retroguy1976]

30 yrs ago wow seems like yesterday im old haha

[@alvarosanchezlocutor]

R.I.P. Donna Summer

[@Tr0nzoid]

"If American Bandstand were on the air today, those kids/babies would be dancers." Actually, they would be older than the dancers the show had then.

[@msmoec21]

Lol I’m one of the kids on here and I’m 38 now

[@bigolebot]

@@msmoec21, I call bullshit on that. This show was happening before you were born and this specific performance of Donna Summer aired in 1984 and you were only 2 years old then. This was before your time . There's no way a 2 year old baby would have been on American Bandstand What is up with these kids and their lies now?

[@msmoec21]

@@bigolebot lmbo. My aunt danced on this show for years and she took us for this specific episode with the kids and I was 2 at the time that this aired look it up idiot. Why would I want to make something up like that lol what purpose would it serve for me to do so ? Both my brother and I were on this episode(he’s the terrified kid seated next to me) I think I would know myself when I saw myself lol you are an idiot it’s laughable for you to tell me that’s not me lol that’s me at 5:58 for your info. I’m rofl at you telling me that’s not me lol

[@nikkiking8246]

@@msmoec21 - If that troll had took time to watch the episode before he typed, he would see a 3 month old baby on the dance floor. Hello Monesha from the 6 yr old girl sitting three seats over who is now 42 :) I also went the following year with my brother for Weird Al. Even more cool, my Aunt was also the "regular" who brought me both years

[@msmoec21]

@@nikkiking8246 lol yes this was the way most of the kids got on those episodes. They were family members of the dancers or crew members 😀😀😀😀 I thought it was pretty funny he called me a liar, like honestly what would I have gained by lying about this lol soooooooooo funny to me Oh and the both our aunts bringing us thing is pretty funny too

[@blktenor]

She always seemed happier on Bandstand than on Soul Train.

[@playsbass1969]

SHE GUEST HOSTED AB 1978

[@quincymastin5131]

Maybe because Dick Clark didn't treat her like a sex symbol , but instead like the special talent that she was. Yeah she was beautiful , but so much more

[@brkitdwn]

Donna was white inside and black outside.

[@blktenor]

@@brkitdwn lol

[@triadafillos1]

Yes,and she seemed always happier with white men on her side than black ones...hmm...

[@bigolebot]

Most of those kids are in their 40s and early 50s.

[@ronthatus]

They are both now gone from us 😞

[@craigthorum8142]

They cut out the live Christmas song that Donna sang on this VH1 special. This was one of the rare live performances. Most others were lip synced. I was actually at this taping....good times!

[@jasonbertalotto4296]

How many appearances did you make on American Bandstand and how many years did you dance on the show?

[@craigthorum8142]

only six shows. The girl at 6:47 is Donna Summer's Daughter

[@atrocchia]

+Craig Thorum Was American Bandstand taped in California?

[@craigthorum8142]

+atrocchia yes, at the ABC studios in Burbank

[@playsbass1969]

+Craig Thorum studio 55 abc studios

[@williewill037]

I love Donna Summer very much. She lost some her fan base when change her music style. This album in 80s is an example didn't do well. But later in the 90s got back on track. In retrospect she could of had a great club hit to keep her relevant.

[@bigolebot]

She did not get back on track in the 90s. Why do so many dumb fucks rewrite history when they can easily look this up? Her last top 40 single was This Time I Know It's For Real

[@bigolebot]

She didn't get back on track in the 90s why do people spread so much bullshit?

[@rgrndu]

What a performance. The band pretending to play, Donna pretending to sing. She ALWAYS sounded better live. They should have let her sing live.

[@brkitdwn]

AB and Soul Train they always lipped it

[@scheckdj3350]

Almost forgot how pretty Donna Summer was.....

[@djjerome]

the sound on this vid leaves something to desired.

[@brkitdwn]

The person who uploaded apologised for the sound quality. Just turn it way up.

[@djjerome]

i didn't know that Melissa Etheridge was playing keyboards for Donna ;-)

[@focusedfreebird]

djjerome that is Susan Boyle silly!

[@retroguy1976]

lmfaooooo

[@zachhoran]

Donna SUmmer was a contestant on the May 17, 2012 episode of Celebrity Bucket Kickers