Donna Summer on Aretha Franklin, Madonna, Beyoncé and Diana Ross

[@Hopster1]

Donna was ALL CLASS. She was able to celebrate other artists and their abilities and accomplishments without feeling that that would threaten her own. In terms of personal taste I place her at the TOP. She had power, pitch, tone and timing down like no other. Singing was effortless to her. How I hate using the word was instead of is. :(

[@derricksingleton4736]

Beautiful inside and out. A Powerhouse, I loved how controlled her tone and projected notes.. Her Voice Live was just as perfect as her recordings.

[@RENTBOYBEAUTY]

UGH ALLLLLLL CLASS!!!!!!!!!!!

[@christinagraham2915]

I swear this makes it seems as if she's still living

[@monalizalorenzo3662]

The was vs is made me cry😔

[@GerardoVega-qx6xk]

I agree with you 100%. To comfort us, "is" should be used with t all those who left a great legacy behind.

[@darkfeather6857]

Now, this is a diva: gracious, intelligent, articulate, able to speak glowingly of competitors, and not in the least threatened or intimidated by them or their abilities.

[@charlesdavis545]

unlike Aretha Franklin.

[@redacted-oo7ne]

@@charlesdavis545 chile shut up

[@divashalo242]

@@charlesdavis545 aretha wasn't kind but she wasn't lyin tho.

[@ericdavis6261]

she singing in heaven now.

[@gxl5892]

Agree 100%

[@turnedaround4954]

Such intelligent and respectful responses. They don't make em like Donna anymore. Disco Queen ❤

[@fobesq]

I never tire of hearing Donna sing. Never. Love her.

[@buddyvaldezpineda]

Most underrated Superstar Diva..Donna Summer.

[@FriendofDorothy]

underrated by whom? She was the queen of dance/pop music in her era and has been acknowledged as such ever since by both her legions of fans and the general public.

[@keshonsmith1965]

@stevenkerry I agree people need to stop saying this. But I just appreciate that young people just don’t know because they’re young.

[@sterlingrock7769]

There is nothing underrated about Donna Summer. Maybe in your mind only.

[@RENTBOYBEAUTY]

Period

[@thekaliko]

she's underrated in that she isn't exalted for the extraordinary singing voice she has - she is AMAZING!!!!

[@benjiloft8636]

Donna, Madonna, Beyoncé, Diana, Aretha. Five legends 💜💜💜

[@karasays01]

Donna Summer one of the top ten selling female artists of all time. Underrated and one of the most humble pop stars to date. On her birthday today 12/31, I hope new people recognize her and old fans appreciate her more.

[@kllwc7772]

50000% agree ,i just wish she was still alive 💔🌍💔

[@Calvin375]

I wish people would stop saying she was "underrated" when she was anything but underrated as the four (4) time Grammy Award winning "Queen of Disco" that dominated the entire '70's decade. She was not just known in the states. She was internationally known all over the world. That's not what I would call "underrated" by any stretch of the imagination!

[@Modelt5000]

@@Calvin375 you're right!! Donna was not underrated!! That's Somewhat of an insult to suggest that!! The Queen of Disco!!

[@rvegas81]

I agree. She set the standard with dance music and in the black community! I do feel like she’s often overlooked.

[@rvegas81]

I don’t think she’s forgotten one of americas true superstars!

[@rgrndu]

Donna was asked about a lot of people in many interviews and she was never negative about anyone. A very gracious lady, respectful and respected as an artist. One of the best singers in recorded history, IMO.

[@Summerfan69]

I don't remember she ever make comments about anyone in a negative way either!

[@hyacynthwiz]

yeah, donna really doesn't have shady moments towards other female singers, she always humble to female singers/colleagues who was she been with during the 70s and the newer ones she really adores.

[@factpreacher5691]

When Donn a Summer said Beyonce deserves her success and no other person she have seen who worked hard as Beyonce, is a proof Beyonce ain't overrated. People tried to insult and discrediting her talent but the legends and icons respects her becoz they knew that Beyonce has the talent and the Succes. Btw i love Donna Summer she's a icon.

[@lourdesknowles4990]

FACTS

[@AbhishekSharma-pc8hs]

Ur comment is underrated 😔😞

[@purplesky4763]

Honesty kelly Roland is more beautiful and has a better voice 4hen beyonce key should have been the star but beyonce was smart and married smart married the right man to give her a career through his vision. His connections, and payola...

[@factpreacher5691]

@@purplesky4763 I don't give a fuck if Kelly is way more beautiful, she has no charm and appeal like Beyonce. And let's not even talk about Kelly's singing because she's the least talented vocalist among the three, Michelle is the better singer next to Beyonce. Stop this delusions

[@angechrisman1694]

@@purplesky4763 Kelly has had 20 years in solo to prove she was thé supposed "best singer" of the group and she has YET to do it. So why don't you buy her music ? And she always gets winded onstage and she's out of breath super quickly. She could've never carry the group on her shoulders like Beyoncé and implying that Beyoncé is where she is bc of Jay-Z is misogyny pure and simple. She was always the bigger star and still is. Kelly is not more beautiful either. They are both just as beautiful as the other. If Beyoncé owes her career to someone it's her father and mother who were pushing her to be great and believe in her dreams not her husband. Jay-Z was NEVER her manager or label boss. She's not Rihanna. GTFOH with thé misogyny and jealousy. Kelly herself smas well as Latoya in a recent interview said that Beyoncé was always working, writting songs, creating new vocal arrangements and melodies when the other were having fun in their off days

[@jubertong1242]

Donna Summer is an underrated superstar diva and icon. Her voice was like wine, get better with age..

[@Calvin375]

And she was NOT underrated. You do not get to be a four(4) time Grammy Award winning singer and known internationally as the "Queen of Disco" and still be considered "underrated".

[@darnellmajor8895]

@@Calvin375 She was KNOWN for her Disco but in my OPINION, her talent shined more in the 80s when she experimented with different styles.....

[@kentburrell3419]

Take note...The Boss of her life...what we all should be striving towards...RIP Ms. Summer...Viva La Ross...Bad Girls..

[@JorgeHernandez-yr2xr]

Donna Summer was and is at the same level that Aretha,Diana,Barbra or Whitney.

[@jhstinson62]

Her trained voice and her mastership of her many ranges put her well above many of these ladies and too many nowadays "others".

[@moonraker30]

I remember Whitney Houston saying that Donna Summer’s voice was a vocal exercise, and she was right

[@christhomas5761]

@@jhstinson62 , Yes but first I would never put Diana Ross vocally on the same level as Whitney, Aretha or Barbara Streisand... ...Vocally, Donna Summer is definitely well above Diana Ross, Beyonce, Alicia Keys , Dionne Warwick, etc and many of the new singers of today. I noticed Donna didn`t say anything directly regarding Madonna`s, Beyonce`s nor Diana`s vocal ability though she certainly gave them very nice compliments in other areas.... Classy lady.

[@niaad4525]

What a down-to-earth woman❤️

[@JimmieJamOfTheDay]

Wish I could see a video of her saying that.

[@LodewijkieNL]

She looks stunning. A wonderful artist and also a legend in her own right.

[@strausd02]

That right, Diana Ross is the Boss. She took control of her life. She is the Boss of her life...

[@Dion_Mustard]

yes and often "bosses" are unpleasent stroppy mean people..such as Diane Ross.

[@gracegreen1859]

@@Dion_Mustard lol you don’t even know her and clearly the world loves her

[@iniakalitoni3405]

"She is of her life" great answer 🤣🤣🤣🙌🏾

[@Larreisand]

Barbra Streisand, Diana Ross, Aretha Franklin, Cher, Tina Turner, Patti Labelle, Cyndi Lauper and Donna Summer

[@josephperez3435]

DIVAS!🎼🎶👑🎤💖🌹

[@lucasm4299]

Mariah Carey?

[@jermaincooper26]

@@lucasm4299 Mariah before Whitney? Before Gladys Knight? Yeah naw

[@sadiegrill2846]

Add the late beautiful songbird Minnie Riperton , Lulu and Dusty Springfield to that list. Now we have all these classless, nevermind...

[@moogooguypan2514]

Not Cher

[@justindrexeldiprimuo2575]

I love what she said about Beyoncé

[@CityGuyGoesCounty]

🤔 Funny I don't remember Beyonce being on that divas live for Diana Ross..

[@DiorD737]

@@CityGuyGoesCounty yes she was next to Carey

[@jakeinlove]

I miss Donna Summer.

[@ronaldopedro7701]

Me too.

[@toddtamberelli2549]

I so agree with you here.

[@JimmieJamOfTheDay]

I doubt that you're going to find a video of Donna Summer shading another female singer. That's one of the characteristics of a true diva.

[@Starkardur]

I think what helped Donna is that very few were compared to her and she wasn't really being compared to anyone. The closest comparisons were Diana Ross and Madonna but still not that much. I think Diana Ross, despite being the icon she was, kind of jumped on the wagon Donna Summer (who had been influenced by Ms. Ross) had started and that's when the comparisons started.

[@JimmieJamOfTheDay]

@@Starkardur Yes, Donna loved and was inspired by Diana Ross. I've never read any comparisons between the two, that I can recall. However, I am sure they existed and exist. I can't imagine the comparisons would be in regards to vocals. Were they? Or, was it in regards to fashion, stage presence and such?

[@claudiabenigno2796]

@@JimmieJamOfTheDay Diana Ross gave us high fashion. Donna Summer gave us sex appeal. Two legendary and iconic divas doing their own thing.

[@JimmieJamOfTheDay]

@@claudiabenigno2796 I think they both gave fashion and sex appeal, but I think Diana Ross probably was known more for fashion than Donna. Donna gay fashion as well. I recall various TV shows referencing her for her fashion. However, they also both gave sex appeal. Donna probably more so, due to Love To Love You Baby, Hot Stuff etc.

[@AlkalineInsides]

This is how you speak about people.

[@DearGodHaveMercy]

It still doesn't seem real that Donna Summer is no longer with us! Watching this video, I couldn't help but think how beautiful she looked! I like how she is so real and down to earth and speaks in a common sense, realistic way. She was definitely not a "hater" of others' talents and she gave props where props were due. Truly a beautiful soul and spirit. God rest her precious soul. She just seems like one of those good people you'd want to know.

[@MS-ou4gs]

This woman has not one hate inside of her..rbis what you call confidence..

[@ricky15494]

She’s so respectful of her peers & other notable Artists.. she too was in a league of her own legendary ❤️❤️🔥🔥

[@christophermoore4262]

MRS.DONNA IS A TRUE LEGEND HERSELF THE QUEEN PERIOD😍😍😍🤣🤣

[@markusmulder_]

The world was blessed with her voice and her persona. We need more Donna Summer and less Madonna or Beyoncé in this world !

[@knockshinnoch1950]

Donna Summer was an amazing artist. For those few short years at the end of the 70s when her career was at its height nothing and no one could stop her. She proved she was a true talent and adapted to changing tastes in order to stay relevant.

[@Digrient]

It's such a shame that her career dropped somewhat after "She Works Hard For The Money". It certainly wasn't the singing, which remained stellar, but she couldn't seem to find quite the right material and producers.

[@manuelesparza1081]

D o n n a S u m m e r So sweet the way she spoke of Diana Ross. I love Donna Summer ... Her success makes me think of ... Mary Wells. What Donna did in the mid 70s, Mary Wells did the the early 60s. Donna love u and truly miss you. I met Donna Summer and she was super nice Lady.

[@FriendofDorothy]

I have always been a big fan of Mary Wells but I don't get the comparison. Donna Summer had a loving and supportive husband who was also a performer and musician with his group Brooklyn Dreams. Mary had both man issues and, sadly, drug issues and kept listening to her snake husband which rapidly led to the demise of her career once she left Motown. I wish she'd stuck it out with Motown and given us more hits singles and albums. Other than "Ain't It the Truth" and "Dear Lover" nothing she recorded after Motown rose above the mediocre. She basically went from being a crossover pop artist with wide appeal to being a run of the mill R+B singer doing albums loaded with tepid and overly familiar material. Another difference: Donna did not do female victim songs; Mary did loads of them (even a few in her early Motown phase). They were two very different artists. RIP to both legendary ladies.

[@brockboy7573]

Wow. Miss. Donna is a very beautiful soul.

[@calvinlocklear4852]

Love Donna and Madonna

[@vivandav67]

Donna was a gem...I miss her...

[@lunnouxhinds8464]

I love them all. Aretha. Diana. Donna. Whitney. Chaka and Patti and many others.

[@migrain45]

How sweet she was, nice interview and I Love how she explains Diana being the Boss, what it means and where that came from..;-) RIP my Love

[@juancpgo]

I like Donna's personality so much.

[@cassandragarcia5548]

Donna needs to be in the HOF

[@valerienorris6798]

She is in the HOF...she was inducted by Kelly Rowland

[@thebryanoquinnshow7207]

According to Billboard's top 100 pop songs Donna Summer earned more than 40 hit singles 14 of those reaching the top ten. She had a top-40 hit every year between 1975 and 1984, and from her first top-ten hit in 1976, to the end of 1982, she had 12 top-ten hits (10 were top-five hits), more than any other act during that time period. Ms Summer returned to the Hot 100's top five in 1983, and claimed her final top-ten hit in 1989 with "This Time I Know It's for Real". She was the first artist to have three consecutive double albums reach the top of the US Billboard 200 chart and charted four number-one singles in the US within a 12-month period. Several more number one R&B chart listings Donna Summer remained a force on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart throughout her entire career. Summer sold over 100 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling music artists of all time. She won five Grammy Awards. In her obituary in The Times, she was described as the "undisputed queen of the Seventies disco boom""one of the world's leading female singers

[@ronaldopedro7701]

RIP Donna, I love you, I love your talent and pure spirit.

[@dougbdfw67]

so sweet and gracious. A class act and fair to all of her peers

[@direfranchement]

Donna Summer was incredibly gracious for such a megastar.

[@singingmanmd]

Very intelligent interview by a beautiful and talented legend.

[@catman999]

Donna Summer is golden and one of a kind. Very mindful of what other artist were doing. Take notes young ones. This is how you gain respect and likeability. Smoochez Donna.

[@direfranchement]

She was such a gracious person.

[@2323sark]

Unbelievable talent. One of the best voices of her generation. Have a listen to some of her last music releases. I am a fire is beyond awsome

[@rvegas81]

I agree. Her catalogue is so impressive. Way ahead of its time.

[@GogoSam22]

We adore you too, Donna! ♥️

[@rabit818]

Smart and talented lady. And looked good to top it all off. I saw Donna live at the Universal and she delivered. I miss her, we all miss her.

[@philipfreeman281]

Donna will always be EPIC! I Love Her!!

[@macmachine]

Intelligent woman, understood the business and the different talents you need to prevail in it.

[@raulcabral2089]

Beautiful Donna Summer... rip!!

[@ronnyeoff407]

I love DONNA SUMMER!! 🙌👊🏻💙💜💙💜💙💜…

[@gaboschultz1312]

R.i.p. beauty queen. A legend

[@antd8259]

Very gracious and down to earth person. I enjoyed this interview. May she rest in peace.

[@fabioyokomizo8735]

Such a class act 💞

[@gregoryponds6745]

Queen of disco pop

[@anjoleahdupree1963]

Donna Summer was very much in a class of her very own as a Recording Artist.So were/are the others mentioned during this interview.

[@jorgesantiago9679]

Kelly Rowland should play her in a movie

[@NandoDisco]

Donna Summer, the diva that birthed the disco dancefloor. Respect! 🪩 ✨

[@jasonlindsey9946]

I absolutely love her. She was Disco Queen. Miss those days.

[@keitht47]

Just what I expected from her. Very real and personable. I love her even more!

[@donaldmiller4643]

Such a wonderful classy lady,with a tremendous talent that voice remarkable.

[@theronedawson3236]

What a wonderful interview by 💓 a fine singer like Donna Summer. She gave her insight on her fellow singer.

[@mrqs1549]

Donna Summer’s music is part of my everyday life, to these days. I listen to her at home, at the gym… wherever I have the chance.

[@austincaufield6425]

Imagine that. Not one bad word against any of the singers. One of the most incredible, gifted, underrated singers of all time. RIP damn I miss you. Love Austin. PS You got me through so many rough times in my life. :)

[@dougbdfw67]

so classy

[@MysticStranger]

Donna Summer, always having something nice and uplifting to say about fellow artists! She was so humble and a class act! Miss her so much!

[@sankee]

What a fantastic classy superstar Donna Summer was.

[@edvinkingston5912]

DONNA...♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@christopherstreet2214]

She deserved way more accolades … she is the queen of disco

[@joenathan6478]

I always thought Donna had the perfect voice 💖💖

[@mike81oracle]

wow. What a humble and classy woman. Being a legend herself, Donna was so unpretentious and always respectful when she was talking about peers and colleagues singers: Aretha, Dianna Ross, Madona, and so forth. Although, I deem Whitney , Muriah, or Madonna are great divas, they're haughty when it comes about other female artists. Often throwing some shade. My respects to this this true legend and queen, Miss Summer!

[@petermustich968]

Love this woman!! One of the best voices and a legend. Her life was cut short much to soon.

[@ThuxOliveira]

She is so right about Diana Ross! A legend, a boss of her own life! Does anyone has the video of her tribite to Ms Ross in MTV with Beyonce, that she mentioned on the video?? i would love to see this

[@anthonyblack9906]

It was vh1 divas live 2001

[@angechrisman1694]

@@anthonyblack9906 2000*

[@nayamarievelazco8769]

Selena’s cover was incredible!

[@katyp5914]

So gracious and lovely! 🕊❤

[@11rokerito]

Reina de la música Disco! ETERNA DONNA. 💜

[@scheckdj]

Donna Summer was a great talent and an important Icon to the history of the music industry....RIH Lovely Lady!

[@denisebyers7647]

Beyonce is the real deal. A real Queen Busy Bee. Donna!! YOU are a LEGEND. Queen of Disco!! You are very humble and gracious.

[@elieortiz3659]

Wtf

[@DavidRichardson95]

What a classy, beautiful and intelligent woman. I hope whoever does her biopic gets it all the way right. At least with the casting.

[@guillermovilla9517]

I don’t really like these kinds of interviews. They’re always trying to get women to bad mouth other women, but Donna knew the game and played it her way. Love her!!!

[@donaldflowers6169]

Donna summer the original disco queen didn't get the credit she deserved really. She could really sing , fashionable and had beauty queen looks if we didn't have Donna summer there really wouldn't had been a disco area get into it rip Mrs summer love to love her baby

[@idonteperfect6943]

I feel Donna is discredited because the same way Madonna is they were both 2 very influential women of their own respective genres and sadly Disco was literally hated, I heard the BeeGees during the 80s had so much trouble getting any radio play at all even tho their music style changed with the times any disco act was literally ignored, Madonna legacy has always been a rocky one while she’s very influential lots of ppl and fans of other artist love to discredit her and say she had no impact on music and makes it out to be all of her music and whole career was just sex ignoring her lyrical content and emotive vocals, Donna deff deserves more recognition I feel this generation is more open to Disco now than previous ones and she will be found and accepted again

[@darlenegoodwin]

Despite being called the Queen of Disco, she could throw down a ballad as well.

[@TheAlexDHD]

I really miss her. ❤️

[@rdo1231]

pure class

[@androqeburia7076]

Classy Woman ❤

[@Echinger1]

Amazing woman.

[@AskieFox-i2b]

Donna is a whole new level and the one and only queen of DISCO

[@1956tippy]

Donna Summer truly my favorite singer of all time ,I love you and miss you sis.💋

[@ardgzc1921]

Donna you’re the boss and a legend all on your own genre! Genius!💕💕💕💕💕👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@alexamacedonia3745]

Donna Summer is a class act through and through!! An amazing talent who is too humble and grounded to need to be a diva . Miss you 😢

[@christinagraham2915]

Man she was so different when it came to disco artist she could sang

[@Vincent50]

I,really miss this beautiful lady. A true class act with a voice that could shatter windows. I got to see her for the first time live a few years before her death and all I can say is wow.

[@reasonrestored9116]

Underrated. People forget how huge she was, and how many great hits she delivered. Her religious convictions put her at odds with some of her fan base for a while, and she was perhaps prey to the disconnection that comes with long term success, but no one can deny her place.

[@liiihannn61]

She is so pretty 😻

[@TooSkinnyKenny]

a really unique thing about Summer is that she had more than one voice inside of her, The voice she used on Love To Love You is totally different than the one she used on Hot Stuff. Not many singers are versatile like that.

[@maxseba]

Classy beautiful LADY

[@robincarter6474]

You herd it from a legend 😂💪

[@vasiliosgatos5478]

Very classy and well spocan

[@rgrndu]

Vasilios Gatos *spoken, I agree.

[@tednorton5150]

Also: part of the reason that nobody sounds like Donna is that she possessed a VERY distinct East Coast dialect that only flourished during the late 1960s when she came of age and was common to all races in her demographic. A professional anthropologist or ethnolinguistic authority will be able to articulate it. I simply hear it. This is the reason Laura Branigan was her closest match.

[@erichill612]

Beautiful

[@CityGuyGoesCounty]

📢 You adore Aretha and we ❤ adore you... 📻 On the radio..📻

[@dkedwards87]

Damn it’s been 8 years! RIH

[@raffaGaGa]

DONNA I LOVE YOU QUEEN ❤❤❤❤❤

[@guykite8110]

Indeed Jorge!! Well said..And did it with grace and honesty!! ❤

[@MrEnrique1223]

Is it just me or Donna wanted to cry when she finished talking about Aretha?