Special to the Tri-State Defender

Donna Summer, widely known as the “Queen of Disco”, has been in the music industry for four decades. Along the way, she has sold over 130 million records worldwide, recorded 17 albums and earned numerous accolades.

And, as she shared in this interview with the Tri-State Defender, Summer is still moving forward.

Memphis-area concert-goers will have the chance to experience Summer when she performs during the “Live at the Garden” series at the Memphis Botanical Garden on August 21st.

Prior to her mainstream release in 1974, “Lady in the Night”, Summer showcased her talent in various musicals and in ensembles in Germany. She was singing background for the “Three Dog Night” trio when she met producers Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte, with whom she now has worked with for most of her career.

Throughout the ups, downs and controversies of her career, Summer has remained a prominent figure in the industry with a sincere passion for her craft.

The show starts at 8:30 p.m., with ticket info available online at www.liveatthegarden.com.

Tri-State Defender: Did you ever dream of your music having staying power, and if so, has it achieved the level you hoped for?

With her rep built as the Queen of Disco, Donna Summer says, “I really try to stay in tune with what’s going on and move myself into different areas of music.” (Courtesy photo)

Donna Summer: Oh gosh…I think it surpassed anything I ever even dreamed it could do. It’s been years and I’m just thankful. I just thank God every day that people still wanna hear the music and I can still play and perform and that my voice is in tact and that I’m able to deliver what I publicize.

TSD: Ok, how would you assess your music’s ability to affect different generations?

DS: Well, that’s something I always pray for. And I really try to stay in tune with what’s going on and move myself into different areas of music because I think the voice is an instrument and I think it’s important not to just be stagnant in one thing. And even though people might know me for that one thing, it doesn’t mean it’s the only thing I can do. Now, they may or may not like the thing I’m doing more, but it doesn’t matter, I still gotta go there.

TSD: Is there one song that makes you move every time you sing it or that reminds you of a particular time in your life?

DS: Well, I think “Last Dance” is probably that particular song. Yeah, I would say “Last Dance.”

TSD: How do you describe yourself as a performer?

DS: Let’s put it like this: I hope that I’m evolving…I think that the thing is that peoples’ tastes change and as a performer you have to grow. And I think that you try to morph yourself into the next you that you are gonna become, while all the time maintaining your true self. And I think that people get it. They get it when you can do that, and they love you for trying. So I think that would be the only way I can describe myself…as morphing.

TSD: Do you script your performance or go with the flow or just mix the two options?

DS: Well, I script. There is a layout. There’s a show. When you put together any kind of show that has a production, any kind of production value, there’s gotta be some formal format, or otherwise the people doing the lighting and the sound and all that don’t know where they are. So, obviously you gotta have some form of scripting, but what I do is I leave options. Usually I know the songs that are kinda optional and I may move it from one place to another or leave it out and put another song in that I feel is more appropriate for that audience.

And when I’m singing, I like to talk to the audience a lot in between and I like them to talk back to me. So I like to leave room for the audience to be part of what is going on in the mix, not just look at them as a blanket wall and me singing songs out to them. I wanna know what they gotta say back and I need that interaction. That’s the type of performer that I am and so I’m not afraid of it. Some performers are terrified to do that. I’m not, I like it.

TSD: When you are away from your music performing, what are you most likely to be doing?

DS: Sketching pictures, decorating, reading a book, writing new songs, hanging out with my kids.

TSD: Speaking of new songs, you got a new CD coming out any time soon?

DS: I was just telling someone else, I’m starting, probably in September, to start a new album, and I’m going to simultaneously record two separate types of albums: a new album with all new songs and writers and a standards album.

TSD: Ok, that sounds great. What can your fans expect of you during your performance at the Memphis Botanical Garden?

DS: They can expect to have some fun.

Warren Roseborough and Takia White contributed to this story.