Donna Summer - Arsenio Hall Interview ( 1989 )

Donna Summer - Arsenio Hall Interview ( 1989 )

[@christopherlee3163]

You could literally see The Thirst in Arsenio Hall's eyes the whole time during the interview!!🤣🤣🤣

[@hotgritz4sho]

Notice how a Donna doesn’t pander it feed into the old rumor Arsenio is driving at? She keeps it classy. She even throws in a lil’ bonus humor to further diffuse the situation. What a class act she was!!!!

[@nickstrapko7549]

Donna saw herself as a comedian, she had a good sence of humor. You can see it in this interview

[@Fuentes1Rudy]

Donna Summer was and in our hearts will always be the greatest dance queen in the world. Her talent was great, her voice even greater, I do not think she has ever gotten the praise and the credit she really deserve. I loved her, GOD keep you in his arms for ever.

[@tubester4567]

She was called the Queen of disco and won a bunch of grammy awards.

[@andrewjames2617]

She was an angel.

[@massimosigismondi699]

@@tubester4567 She should have sung another type of music like soul, r&b, jazz, gospel, pop, thing that she did but sometimes, she had a great voice, what a pity. The Christmas cd is awesome, listen to it if you still haven't done it

[@kevincollins7300]

Listen to Dick Clark talk about her. You can see how much he likes and respects her.

[@ChildOfThe1970s]

Her husband was a lucky man. I would marry Donna Summer in a heartbeat! Sad to know she is gone, but am glad to have grown up in her era.

[@DJaySplitSecond]

Yeah man Donna was very sexy, she was one of the first black young woman sex symbols at that time, in other words she was highly desired by many men, even famous men tried to smash but it wasn't happening lol

[@brainsareus]

so? what's it to you?

[@tobysmith3459]

Yea, wasn't she a rare women! Talented but humble, her personality made her so attractive! I have to say she is my favorite female singer!

[@ccoleman1978]

Word💯💯

[@user-mb9qi6ke9h]

you mean the husband who abused her?

[@albertlee5272]

DONNA SUMMER was an amazing vocalist & so ICONIC. DONNA was an anointed singer, she could make you cry with singing or make you laugh. Donna was a true artist 🎨. RIP DONNA 😢

[@scheckdj]

She was one of the BEST - she looks so pretty here in this interview!!

[@xlasingx]

..Donna is a beautiful human.. ..she is missed..

[@thermo87]

I can't believe she is not here anymore...........We will miss you Donna

[@BlackBerryBeautyAcademy]

Clearly, Arsenio had a serious crush and the beautiful Donna Summer! This was so cute to watch! RIP Queen!

[@michaelmottlau5941]

He had a crush on all the beautiful woman like Donna and Whitney Houston, Diana Ross etc.

[@simon5005]

This was just a great phase of her career, she looked better than ever, and her album, "Another Place & Time" was such a huge hit. I can't believe it was 20 years ago.

[@motorheadforlife9431]

Over 34 years ago now.

[@razeyusufsonofaisha8726]

Donna was a beautiful women , i had a big crush on her since i was like 7 years old . she will be missed

[@felipeserrano8528]

Me too.

[@omaribyrd8620]

I have always loved this beautiful singer who looks alot like my cousin Linda. When I first heard her voice I knew she was something special. RIP love you always Omari.

[@delago10]

A few months after seeing this show, I suffered a huge tragedy, ad Donna's words about how God knows what he's doing were as much a comfort to me as anything could be; I always loved Donna, still miss that she's not here on earth, but know she's i a good place. Rest in Peace!

[@jackanthony976]

I suppose God knew what he was doing when allowed cancer to eat Donna alive.

[@christianman73]

@@jackanthony976 Donna Summer never lost her faith in God, even with her cancer. I was born with a physical disability (Cerebral Palsy) and have been through many tragedies in life, including severe abuse as a child, and I still have faith in God. The existence of pain and suffering in this world is real, but it doesn't disprove the existence of God.

[@grahamsimpson4084]

Donna was so.much more than the queen of disco.her voice was right up there. Amazing legacy .queen

[@guymichel8533]

I presume Donna knew by this stage that her song "This time I know it's for real" had hit US Billboard number 7 i.e. a big hit. Her previous record company executives at Geffen must have been kicking themselves!

[@SmartRobot-wc2fb]

@guymichel8533: Her last Geffen album with the single "Dinner With Gershwin", after 6 years of irregular material and bad promotion, had already been a hit pretty much everywhere...the mistake from Geffen was that they simply dismissed her as a valid act after the Disco era and were incapable of gather her with top producers/material...

[@jimdavis081]

Arsenio is such a great interviewer. He has a unique way of asking questions, no matter how difficult those were and make his guests comfortable and relax to answer them.

[@bigolebot]

His show was garbage. Thank god it got cancelled.

[@jimdavis081]

@@bigolebot But he's back. I think Magic's show was even more garbage.

[@bigolebot]

@@jimdavis081, LOOOOl!!! Magic defines why I believe the 90s wasn't not the golden age of talk shows lol. But Arsenio Hall was ass tbh 89-90 those two years were great but after it was meh

[@jimdavis081]

@@bigolebot I cannot still think of a reason why Magic did it! LOL!!!

[@bigolebot]

@@jimdavis081 LOOOL the were so many bad talk shows then... To me Johnny Carson was the king of talk shows.

[@LPJISKOOL]

I can’t believe she was 40 years old here! She looks like she’s only in her 20s. Donna never aged.

[@WestCoastCultured]

Newsflash 40 isnt old esp for ethnic women

[@Rescue162]

I always thought that Donna Summer was a beautiful woman, but she really looks glamorous and refined here at age 40.

[@evelynrosariorosario1555]

The Queen of Disco beauty, talented, beautiful woman her voice is super super awesome!!

[@SubjectDelta9]

LEGENDS are Born, not made. Such a Wonderful Human Being! May you Forever be in PEACE🙏

[@kevinmoore5424]

This woman was so beautiful 😍

[@idiosyncraticparadise1655]

Omg I forgot that was a Rumor . I remember hearing that talk as a kid . But you know what I always focused on the gift she’s given to us HER VOICE and I love u Donna .always RIH what a GODDDES!

[@wanaraz]

I met this lady once at her home. Personable real and likable. She did not know that I always had a a crush on her. Beautiful and talented. I miss you Donna. RIP.

[@jimdavis081]

Whatdya do there?

[@paymydues]

I have never seen her this fun loving, relaxed and happy. It's really great to see this side of Donna.R.I.P angel.................

[@ewalker3]

paymydues of course it was a fun record it seems for her to record she had just come off all those horrid years under David geffen and she comes into this great record happy music . Why the follow up singles to this time I know it’s for real didn’t take off here in USA still baffles me..

[@SmartRobot-wc2fb]

​​@@ewalker3A lot of rock and new jack swing in the charts at the time plus the following singles were more "eurodance" oriented...

[@mitch1835]

Don't talk Donna,just let me look at you! R.I.P. beautiful soul!

[@MrDTJones1]

lost my two favorite all time singers ever this year. donna...who paved the way for whitney...i never thought in a million years when my momma danced with me to donna and "dim all the lights"...and then i sang in a hairbrush to every whitney song...and met her and she was so gracious...that we would see those two go to Heaven the same year. just miss them. living in nashville...working in music...those two...seriously...artists in every way. and wonderful women. God blessed us with them. THANKS.

[@romulan1006]

I really Miss her, I'm glad she left us some of very brilliant music.

[@morganm.4816]

An icon through and through. R. I. P. Donna Summer, the undisputed Queen of Disco.

[@caradecaballo]

Great interview. i have never seen Donna Summer so playful and funny. The rumor that they are talking about its ridiculous. Donna does not look like a man at all. She was actually a very feminine beautiful woman.

[@viking90706]

I always gravitated to hard rock, but I always thought this ladie was an amazing talent and deserved more time on this earth, Like many who are gone, I wish I had met her....................

[@danielbenitez9090]

Dona you always the best Rest in peace.

[@farres0031]

And she was very funny too!! she really had many qualities.. as a human being... she will be missed beyong belief!

[@originaldeftom]

LOVE LOVE LOVE....nothing but LOVE for this woman! Let the legend live on!!

[@WillieClarke]

Long lived "The Empress". What a great interview, she seemed so relaxed and playful. In additon to 2 great vocal performances. Classic clip

[@jimmyferris]

She was beautiful and talented. So sad she’s gone.

[@mariomaldonado4878]

Very Charming diva, I Miss you

[@lovefor]

beautiful donna

[@ernestharlen31]

I miss Donna Summer

[@user-gf4xv5kv4w]

QUEEN QUEEN QUEEN

[@bigwillietheb]

LONG LIVE THE QUEEN OF DISCO

[@cantforgetyou]

Donna Summer's best album is 'ANOTHER PLACE AND TIME'. I love the Stock Aitken Waterman productions.

[@rgrndu]

cantforgetyou Best album? Bad Girls.

[@bigolebot]

Hmmm is up there but nothing can't top Bad Girls.

[@douglasbayne1973]

I agree...ANOTHER PLACE IN TIME is a great album start to finish.

[@Latinliquid]

Donna summer is a goddess. Beyonce and all the other female singers could never compare to donna.when you hear donna singing... You know she is the best there is, best there was, n the best that ever will be!

[@Leftatalbuquerque]

Someday I hope she spills the beans about how David Geffen, after signing her as his first artist on his record label, consequently misjudged her material and stalled her momentum. Had she stayed with Casablanca/Polygram, maybe things would have been different - but then, she did want time to raise her new daughters after having her mother raise Mimi...

[@MrVernonSmall]

Donna Summer, the best !

[@chuckcarpenter753]

Her gospel stuff is just as great

[@alexturchick240]

Where can we get her gospel stuff?

[@JimmieJamOfTheDay]

​​@@alexturchick240 She doesn't have a gospel album but on certain albums, she has songs that could be considered gospel. More so contemporary christian though. The "She Works Hard For The Money" album or the "Cats Without Claws" album are two examples.

[@alex90210bevhills]

Good and nice interview!

[@vjekoslavhorvat4733]

that eyes that going around-heaven

[@ronaldopedro7701]

💔🙏🏻 RIP Donna! I love You.

[@terrymorganfairchild549]

Very Beautiful comments that you made! I actually remember this interview when it aired live I have just told my age now. lol

[@bigolebot]

Ok? You want a medal to telling your age? I was a grown man when Bad Girls was out. What's the big deal?

[@rbcinmia]

Miss you Donna.

[@DaxShaw]

I think Arsenio and Donna were addressing two different rumors. It sounded like she was trying to address the rumor where someone said she made a homophobic remark and he was addressing the man rumor. He shouldn't have done that because it clearly made her uncomfortable.

[@tonynegron1927]

🤔 Yes,l got that feeling too.

[@jdfodio]

Arsenio lived to put a spotlight on controversy.

[@flatbush9117]

I think actress Tyra Ferrell (Boyz N the Hood, Poetic Justice) resembles Donna Summer.

[@musicartlover963]

I agree

[@VELVETBUNNi]

yass

[@ErikaMcQueen89]

RIP Donna

[@evelynrosariorosario1555]

RIP 🙏 🕊 Donna Summer!

[@sam0xin]

How sweet her speech ❤️

[@ewalker3]

I remember watching this!

[@patrickblack8869]

Arsenio was talking to Bill Cosby on the ☎️ About Hollywood RUMORS ✊💯📺 And how do you Handle it 👏👏👏👏 They said Donna Summer was MAN 😩🎤👑🎼 RIP DONNA 🙏

[@romerjusu3804]

Arsinio Hall was not even informed of the guest he was interviewing. The rumor was about her saying that AIDS was a curse from God to kill off Gay people. The one that she was a man was not what she was talking about.

[@DJaySplitSecond]

In my opinion Donna had a stronger vocal range then Whitney and Chaka, but the disco era hindered from becoming what Whitney was

[@bobjacubas6818]

+DJaySplitSecond It was the disco era, the moniker disco queen might not have been a help. But move to Geffen records is what really sank her career. She only released 4 albums with Geffen, She Works Hard for the Money was released by Polygram..which is why it was promoted properly. Unfortunately Geffen , was not a great place for established superstars as they claimed they never intended to focus on them. As far as Whitney - she was balladeer (and heavily promoted) , and certainly never showed the versatility or range that Donna did. Donna is the only artist to be nominated in 5 different genres of music at the Grammys.

[@DJaySplitSecond]

+Bob Jacubas wow didn't know that, and Donna is my favorite female vocalist, I just wished they took her in another direction and plus Whitney had Clive Davis who personally invested money and time in her but I love both singers though

[@bobjacubas6818]

DJaySplitSecond There is no question Clive Davis made a difference, not just in the money and support (promotion), but in the connections he had in the business to get the promotion and air play on the radio. He spent 1/2 million on the debut album and 3 million in promotion (which was unheard of - pretty much still is). Then Mariah had Tommy Mutola who reportedly spent 800 thousand on her debut album, and another man with large industry connections.

[@patrickblack8869]

+Bob Jacubas ☕️ Dish 😂😂

[@mickdenis6630]

It does seem though, that people forget Donna was the first pop female megastar. She was the first female to dominate the Billboard charts. The first to have the #1 single and #1 album on the pop charts, the first to have two song in the top 3, did it twice in 1979 with 4 different songs. The first to have 3 #1 singles & 5 top 5 singles in a calendar year. She pushed the boundaries by crossing into multiple genres in a segregated radio landscape. She is the only artist to be nominated for Grammys in 5 different genres of music, and the only to win Grammys in 4 different genres.She isn't called the Game Changer for nothing. She sold over 20 million albums in the US and close to 15 million singles in 4-1/2 years with Casablanca records. She is under certified by the RIAA because they didn't start multi-platinum awards until 1984. She was long gone from Casablanca by then, as were Neil and Joyce Bogart - who she worked with at the label. So there was no impetus for the label to have her re-certified. She was also award the rights to her songwriting catalog, when the courts released her from her Casablanca contract. Two of her albums are double platinum due to a format change - where any album with more than 100 minutes of music is count as two units, so on December 1, 1993 the RIAA update her. But Bad Girls had sold over 4 million by the end of 1980 and Live and More and Greatest Hits: On the Radio had both sold 3 million. But she was gone to Geffen. I remember at the of 1979 when the RIAA presented her with her awards for Bad Girls (it was designated Triple Platinum), and the singles Hot Stuff and Bad Girls were platinum (which meant 2 million or more back then), Dim All the Lights was Gold (which was 1 million). The Album was released in April, so that is 8 million records sold in 8 months. Not to mention that Bad Girls was a double album which brought 4 to 5 dollars more to the record companies depending on the market in which it was sold. All 3 of those album were double and went #1 in a 14 month period. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame named her the "Diva De Tutte Dive" - the first true diva of the modern pop era.

[@patrickparker3755]

Wow she was a beauty.

[@williamarchie]

She was the Queen of my soul

[@bmead144]

We're born,we grow, a few become famous,some are very attractive ( indeed she was absolutely gorgeous!) Some are talented, personable, wealthy, lucky and seem to "have it all"- then there's the rest of us, working stiffs, crooks, con artists, scammers, alcoholics, druggies, no talent, no looks, no fortune nor fame- just existence. What an incredible disparity. She seemed to " have it all"! How incredibly sad and ironic(with such an incredibly beautiful voice) that she died of lung cancer and so relatively young. Sooner or later we all wind up as worm food! What a seriously *ucked up world.

[@walkaway6777]

love ur melancholic philosophy...worm n bug food indeed

[@theanonymousone9668]

There's a difference between this Devine creature and Wendy Williams

[@jflo342]

I am a die hard Donna fan but she always seemed guarded in interviews. Not sure why, even thru her illness's she never talked about it but I heard she had a very bad time during the end. There was nothing anyone could do for her. Very sad end.

[@DJaySplitSecond]

Yeah I hope they do the movie on her and have Kelly Rowland play her, that would be epic!

[@tonyg2170]

DJaySplitSecond Damn! That's it! Kelly would be the ONLY woman to do her justice. She's just as beautiful and I always thought her voice was better than Beyoncé. IMO. I'm not sure if Kelly's voice is as powerful, but she could pull it off! Great point!

[@garciavelert]

mujer hermosa y bella

[@JesusChrist5000]

the Arsenio Hall show was probably my favorite talk show. More than Letterman or Conan Obrien.

[@zodiacman2007]

She has Virgo rising, according to astro dot com. Her birth data listed on that site is Dec. 31, 1948, at 9 PM, in Boston, MA. Hope all is well with you, Swaf. :)

[@darrylmorrison6127]

Pretty sure she thought he was referring to stories about her comments on AIDS and not the rumors about her being a man.

[@soccercaballo510]

Yea. And I think she mistook that for him flirting with him.

[@marcomitch7203]

Kelly Rowland would be great as Donna Summer !!

[@jimdavis081]

I just realized Kelly’s resemblance to Donna! I hope the biopic will come through!

[@ninjamattari9842]

Donna appeared in the movie ``Coming to America'' when Eddie and Arsenio were searching for a potential princess. I was surprised to find out later. de gozaru !!

[@Underhills]

If you take the Ma out of Madonna you get Donna. She inspired alot of artists.

[@alexcarlson4344]

Hahaha

[@spciypapi2089]

Correcto. Lowkey w it

[@therreid]

Except Madonna inspired way more artists and made pop music what it is.. I love Donna but don’t disrespect Madonna

[@winette864]

@@therreid Fuck Madonna. Pop Culture was in evolution and was already becoming what it is *LONG* before that overexposed white feminist came along. The groundwork was already laid, Madge merely capitalized on it what was already happening. Don't disrespect Donna, she is one of the REAL pioneers.

[@f9mike]

@@winette864 agreed, can listen to donna summer all day long, I have all of her albums in my cd collection, where as I have 2 maybe 3 albums by madonna!!!

[@OtomoTenzi]

Most of the women of the 80's/90's had very calm, natural and pleasant-sounding voices that were also very clear and easy to understand. It makes you feel very comfortable when you hear them talk with such sexy voices (like they wanna make love to you). Personally, I just HATE the way the so-called 'social media generation' of FAILURES sound like when they talk now... They just make me CRINGE whenever I hear them speak; it really sounds like some horror-show bitches from a whole other planet!

[@bowiehs]

Yes,

[@Sttephy30]

Very beautiful face. Kinda like Whitney.

[@sergiocarrasco]

@@Sttephy30 whinry was a lesbian. But ok

[@matthewconverse9469]

She was like Whitney when she started, in her 20s. She had a petite nose and high cheekbones, like Whitney.

[@SWAFALAFAGUS]

sun mercury mars capricorn, moon aquarius, venus sagittarius

[@tonyp6076]

Arsenio looks ridiculous sitting there with his legs on the cushion, LOL

[@jabjab4434]

@BEN GHANA He was a moron talk show host.. Period. Red, green, white, or blue.

[@JimmieJamOfTheDay]

I don't think he does. It's his home away from home. Because it's televised might be the issue for you. If he was literally at his own home, I assume you wouldn't say that.

[@stigmalmo3205]

Tony P - he thinks he is presenting a “ relaxed” look but it just doesn’t work - just ends up looking immature and kind of stupid

[@bolivianbillionaire1349]

too egocentrically fucked up to realise he looks tactless and rude lounging around in the company of true royalty........R.I.P. Donna Summer

[@neal6473]

@@jabjab4434 STFU HATER 😡.

[@dbrown9495]

Arsenio let his charming side out. Good chemistry with Donna summer.

[@delago10]

excuse the typos...

[@DetroitLives313]

Do you have the performance segment of this appearance?

[@aliceinchainz3003]

i wish i could jump thru this screen and tell her go to the docter ...... now

[@3BuckHead]

I think K Michelle look a lot like her in this interview.

[@karlynprice2312]

Yes! I wanted to see if someone was going to say that.

[@bobescabar5199]

She should play her biopic

[@Blue_diamond011]

So truuuue

[@alexbuildingblocksandjerom3454]

I would say Kelly Rowland

[@shakeyraware1563]

Can y pls make the audio louder

[@aisensantana6765]

I think someone already stole that sitcom idea lol

[@matthewconverse9469]

LONG after this interview, Blackish came out on ABC and was a huge hit. She was STRONGER than Whitney in beating her drug use. No sense in comparing Donna to the VOICE. Each was a MEGA DIVA in her own way. It's like comparing Chaka to Tina. What is the point?

[@shocked88ify]

@leftatalbuquerque same with Kylie too

[@christophermoore4262]

🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🥰🥰🥰

[@evildjinn9]

Donna was flirting with Arsenio. It was so obvious.

[@CarlosCruz-ll5ez]

What on earth was Arsenio wearing?

[@ThirdOfJune4444]

Why did the audience member have a vinyl LP? Didn't they have CDs back then?

[@alexturchick240]

Not really. CD's didn't really hit the market until mid 90's or so.

[@alexcarlson4344]

Girl..... No. We didn't haven't cds then, we had cassettes

[@bigolebot]

Not really tbh, CDs didn't hit the market until the EARLY 90s.

[@spciypapi2089]

10:33

[@DGodwithaplan2]

7:59😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@pnutbutrncrackers]

Really, Arsenio? Did you need to go there? Does that get ratings? Not enough to keep you on, I guess. I wish you had spent that time asking intelligent music-related questions.

[@BlakeGildaphish76]

People actually thought that she was a *man*???

[@PETER.3327]

Arsenio BRO !! will you please spend some money and PLEASE fix the Quality of the episodes in all of your shows like the sound and picture ,cause its pathetic and shameful !! cause all of your shows where in an a very important time in our history ,with all the great guests you had and we want to enjoy them with ease and not straining our eyes and ears !!! So please do something !!

[@scottdavidson7001]

The outfit that Arsenio Hall is wearing looks horrible.

[@walendxweg]

12052020 📡 👻👻👻📞☀01:09 Aux trois tasses 💎👍💋

[@thesensiblesocialist]

Ok i don't mean to be a dick but tell me she doesn't look like she could be GZAs sister.

[@grahamsimpson4084]

Donna summer was an incredible vocalist much better than the much hyped and over rated whitney Houston.

[@wanaraz]

They were both great. Leave it at that. Donna was fantabulous and so was Whitney.

[@ElectricCool]

@@wanaraz thank you.

[@alvarogarcia3840]

I love Donna with all my heart! And like a message on hear: “Her Voice “ was stronger than Whitney or Chaka (But “Disco” Hindred her successes! Except for her remake of “MacArtur Park” A remake that always had a fast part to the song! As far as that rumor of what she “said”! It goes without saying when turning to be a “Born Again Christian”. Her view on “Homosexuality” co-includes with “Born Again” Christian values! And as a “Christian” any “Christian or Non-Demonational Church” does not accept Homosexuals! The rumor was after a concert she stayed around the front of the stage. And said(“ALLEDGLY”)with god all things are possible & you can change! & Aids is the “Punishment” Of your lifestyle! This is part of “Christian Belifes”! What would you think? But l will love her always!

[@wanaraz]

Disco did not hinder her success. She was immensely successful and even to today. Chaka and Whitney are different and great in their own right. Stop trying to tear her down. Donna reined supreme in Disco and other formats.

[@beanerschnitzel794]

is this possibly wendy williams

[@Pretty_Mess]

Considering the title says Donna Summer, you’ve got to be trolling.

[@altheadawn2531]

Clown 🤡

[@KowalskyLeon]

Donna was the best. she had class, not like Whitney Huston, a junkie..

[@jackanthony976]

I have to agree. Whitney was rather ghetto and Donna had more class.

[@alxndr27]

Donna was once a drug addict too 🤣

[@bigolebot]

Donna was a crack head in her prime and a smoker 🤣🤣🤣