Donna Summer 1948-2012

Donna Summer performs at the Universal Amphitheater on July 19, 1984.   (Aurelio Jose Barrera / Los Angeles Times)

Donna Summer performs in 1979.   (Larry Bessel / Los Angeles Times)

Betty Ford, Donna Summer and former President Ford at a disco party benefit on Nov. 2, 1979.   (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

Donna Summer on Sept. 3, 1987.   (Jose Galvez / Los Angeles Times)

Donna Summer in 1979.  (Larry Bessel / Los Angeles Times)

Donna Summer was one of the premier artists of the disco era, held her first performance in Los Angeles in eight years at the Universal Amphiteatre on Aug. 4, 1995.  (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Richard Carpenter and Donna Summer perform at the opening of the Los Angeles Phlharmonic’s summer season at the Hollywood Bowl on June 18, 2010.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Donna Summer, holding her Grammy, is embraced by composer Paul Jabara at the 21st annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Feb. 15, 1979. Summer won top female rhythm and blues performer for “Last Dance” written by Jabara, who also won a Grammy for the same song for best instrumental composition.  (Lennox McLendon / Associated Press)

Donna Summer poses with three awards she won at the American Music Awards in Los Angeles on Jan. 12, 1979. Summer won for favorite female vocalist; favorite single record, “Last Dance”; and favorite album “Live and More” in a newly created disco category.  (Nick Ut / Associated Press)

Donna Summer performs at the Bank of America Pavilion in Boston on July 12, 2008, as part of her tour to promote her recent CD Crayons.  (Robert E. Klein / Associated Press)