Queen Latifah and Mike Douglas Interview Donna Summer (1976, 1999)

Disco Diva

Ask anyone to say the first thing that comes to their mind when you say the word “disco” and they’re very likely to say “Donna Summer“. The legendary Donna Summer defined, embodied and celebrated an era of music that is synonymous with decadence, overt-sexuality and freedom of self-expression. Disco, disco, disco!!!

Today is Donna Summer’s 61st birthday. We went digging deep into the video vault and pulled out two great interviews of Ms. Summer from two very different decades for our Old School homage to her music royalty.

In the first (and second) clip, Summer visits The Mike Douglas Show (a daytime talk show that aired in syndication from 1961 to 1982) in 1976 after the release of her first hit single in America, “Love to Love You Baby“, which catapulted her from obscurity to music super-stardom.

One of the first things I noticed and instantly fell in love with about this clip is the other guests who were also on the show with her: The Sweathogs (minus John Travolta) and Mr. Kotter from the 70’s hit sitcom Welcome Back Kotter – watch old episodes on Hulu)!

As The Sweathogs ogle her, Summer explains the creative process behind writing and recording her international hit, Love to Love You Baby, and then performs the song. She was clearly as confident as she was talented and Mike Douglas seems just as in awe of her as Mr. Kotter and The Sweathogs.

Streisand and Summer - diva to diva

In the second interview from 1999, Summer visits The Queen Latifah Show for Thanksgiving Day. Yes, that’s right. Queen Latifah had a daytime talk show and it was pretty damn good (albeit short-lived from 1991-2001). Is there anything this woman hasn’t done?

Latifah fawns over Summer like a groupie at a backstage rock concert and rightfully so. Summer’s music undoubtedly influenced the young Latifah in her music career aspirations (and the fact that Ms. Summer is still singing and selling out shows around the world only adds to the justifiable adoration). After the interview Summer performs a song for the audience (”Love is the Healer“).

Happy birthday Donna Summer!