Brunk Auctions Presents: The Estate of Donna Summer | September 15, 2023
Pop icon and undisputed “Queen of Disco” Donna Summer had an illustrious 40-year career in music before her untimely passing in 2012 at the age of 63. Considered a trailblazer by many in the music industry, Summer’s unforgettable hits such as disco chart toppers “Hot Stuff” and “Bad Girls,” the sultry classic “Love to Love You Baby,” and the 80s female solidarity anthem “She Works Hard for the Money” all left an indelible mark in American popular culture and helped to pave the way for future iconic pop and R&B divas like Madonna and Beyoncé.
Born in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston, Summer grew up belting choir hymns in church. As an extraordinary young talent, Summer knew she wanted to sing professionally and auditioned for the counterculture Broadway musical Hair in 1968—landing the part of Sheila in an international production of the musical in Germany. While living and working in Munich, Summer began singing backup for the popular California rock band Three Dog Night during their European tour, which catapulted her into the music industry. She was signed to the Oasis record label in 1974 and subsequently released several shimmery electronic dance hits, beginning with the sexually charged “Love to Love You Baby” just as disco began saturating the airwaves. By the late 70s, she had three consecutive number one albums, each selling over a million copies.
During her lifetime, Summer had thirty-two songs chart the Billboard Hot 100, fourteen of which made the top ten list and four reached the number one spot. Summer was the recipient of five Grammy awards and eighteen Grammy nominations, in addition to multiple other awards and accolades, including a posthumous induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013. After her death from lung cancer in 2012, condolences from celebrities and industry titans flooded the media, ranging from President Barack Obama to Dolly Parton. Legendary music producer Quincy Jones said that Summer’s voice “was the heartbeat and soundtrack of a decade.”
Brunk Auctions is honored to present select items from The Estate of Donna Summer in the September Premier Session I Auction on Friday, September 15, 2023. This special offering is a rare view into the exceptionally private star’s homelife and includes decorative items and memorabilia from her home in Brentwood, Tennessee. The collection features an eclectic variety of furniture including elaborate Moorish-style and custom upholstered examples, Summer’s 1995 Mercedes E320 convertible, along with numerous awards, designer costume jewelry and accessories, and other ephemera for any Donna Summer fan, disco connoisseur, or pop culture collector. Don’t miss your chance to get some “hot stuff” before the “last dance” is over!
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