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Donna Summer was a great African-American singer and songwriter who gained popularity during the disco era of the late 1970s. She finally got her just due, when the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a museum dedicated to archiving the history of people who have influence the music industry, added her, and seven others, into their 2013 class of inductees.

“We are overjoyed the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has recognized Donna’s tremendous musical achievements,” stated the family of Summer, on the intro page of the deceased singer’s website. “Its an honor we know she quietly hoped for and would very much cherish. We are deeply grateful.”

Summer, dubbed the “Queen of Disco,” and a five-time Grammy winner, was best known for her hit-songs, “Love to Love You Baby,” which won the Academy Award for Best Original Song, “I Feel Love,” and “Last Dance,” to name a few.

On May 17, 2012, at the age of 63, she died from lung cancer. Several sources believe she contracted the deadly disease by inhaling toxic particles after the 9/11 terror-attack in New York City.

“Donna Summer was a gigantic star of the 70s, probably the most under appreciated female vocalist I’ve ever met,” once said Dick Clark, an American radio and television personality who died April 18, 2012, approximately one month prior to Summer’s untimely death.

“Her voice was unforgettable, and the music industry has lost a legend far too soon,” said President Barack Obama, soon after he and First Lady Michelle heard the tragic news.

Summer was full of life, and lived to love. “What I aspire to in my life, truly, is to be loving,” she once said, “and I don’t always achieve that, but that’s my aspiration.”

Public Enemy never wanted fans to believe the hype, but since fans were the ones who voted them onto the list of 2013 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees, the rap group has lived up to their reputation.

The collective’s members Chuck D., Flavor Flav, Professor Griff, the S1Ws, (one-time DJ Terminator X) and DJ Lord lead the list, announced Tuesday (December 11), along with late disco diva Donna Summer, Canadian rockers Rush, sister-duo Heart, singer/songwriter Randy Newman and blues guitarist Albert King. For the first time in Rock Hall history, fans were invited to vote for their favorite musicians, knocking out nominees such as Deep Purple, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts and N.W.A.

Public Enemy will join a narrow group of hip-hop acts, including the Beastie Boys, Run-DMC and Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five.

First breaking out in 1987 with Yo! Bum Rush the Show and subsequently releasing their groundbreaking It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back, the rap group rebelled against social and political powers. With songs like “Fight the Power” and “911 Is a Joke,” Public Enemy changed the course of rap forever.

(sources The Examiner and MTV.com)

‘The Queen of Disco’ Donna Summer & Public Enemy inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame  was originally published on tlcnaptown.com