‘Queen of Disco’ Donna Summer ‘thought she became ill after inhalling 9/11 particles’

“While we grieve her passing, we are at peace celebrating her
extraordinary life and her continued legacy.

“Words truly can’t express how much we appreciate your prayers and love for
our family at this sensitive time.”

She had spoken at length about September 11.

In a 2008 interview with The Daily Telegraph, she said she had a premonition
about the attacks a month beforehand. Afterwards she said she suffered from
severe depression and could not leave her Manhattan flat.

“I didn’t want to talk to anybody. I had to keep the blinds down and stay in
my bedroom,” she said.

Music industry heavyweights spoke of their respect for Summer.

Sir Elton John said: “I’m so sad. This woman was the queen of disco and so
much more.

“That she has never been inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame is
a total disgrace, especially when I see the second-rate talent that has been
inducted. Her records sound as good today as they ever did.”

Quincy Jones, who produced albums for Summer, wrote on Twitter: “Rest in peace
dear Donna Summer. Your voice was the heartbeat and soundtrack of a decade.”

Gloria Estefan wrote: “Few singers have impacted music and the world like
Donna Summer! It’s the end of an era.”

Kylie Minogue said that Summer was “one of my earliest musical inspirations”,
while the musician Moby said: “Words can’t express the impact and influence
she had on music.”

Aretha Franklin said: “So shocking to hear about the passing of Donna Summer.
In the 70s, she reigned over the disco era and kept the disco jumping. Who
will forget “Last Dance.” A fine performer and a very nice person.”

Barbra Streisand added: “I was shocked to hear about Donna. She was so vital
the last time I saw her a few months ago. I loved doing the duet with her.
She had an amazing voice and was so talented. It’s so sad.”

Neil Portnow, the Recording Academy President said: “Donna Summer had a
dynamic voice and unique musical style that helped define the dance music
genre in the ‘70s. She also was an artist who crossed many musical
genres…”

The record producer Pete Waterman, who worked with Summer in the 1980s, said:
“Whenever you were with her she made you feel so special. She had all the
talent but she gave you all the credit. She was not a diva in any shape or
form.

“But what a voice she had. She used to warm up in the ladies lavatory and
everyone in our building would stop and it would come to a standstill to
hear her warm up.”

Summer’s career began in the early 1970s and she was still recording until
recently. She was reportedly working on a new record when she died.

A Christian who was “born again” in 1979, Summer was credited with defining
the disco era, laying the foundations for modern dance music.

She was said to have pioneered the fusion of European electronic music with
American disco and to have influenced acts including David Bowie and Duran
Duran.

She won five Grammy Awards, six American Music Awards, and had three
multi-platinum albums.

In America the title track from her 2008 album, I’m a Fire, took Summer to
number one in the dance charts, making her the first artist to reach the
slot in the Seventies, Eighties, Nineties and the first decade of the new
millennium.

At least 55 rescuers have died as a result of cancer since 9/11. Although many
had been diagnosed with the disease prior to the tragedy. At least 75 have
been diagnosed with cancer since the attacks.

More than 18,000 people claim to have fallen ill due to inhaling dust
particles from the collapse of the towers, with the primary issue being
repspitory problems. And the number is constantly increasing.

The majority of those affected are rescue workers who spent extended periods
at Ground Zero. Several people who died of illness following 9/11, including
eight police officers, have their names on the World Trade Center memorial.

Many families have sued the city for illnesses brought on by the tragedy with
cases still making their way through the courts.

According to air polluton experts the dust contained asbestos as well as
traces of Lead, mercury and dioxin. More than 2,500 contaminants were found
in the dust including known carcinogens.

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