[Callum]

The death of Donna Summer on Thursday (May 17) at age 63 after a long battle with cancer has many reflecting on the impact the disco legend had on music.

While many may not realize it, Summer is the foremother of, well, just about every pop song on the radio today. Her iconic 1977 anthem "I Feel Love," which peaked at #6 on the Billboard singles chart (one of 14 top 10 hits), was the first mainstream song to be produced using an entirely synthesized backing track. Until then, most disco recordings had been backed by acoustic orchestras, and the reception to the song revolutionized music.

"One day in Berlin, [Brian] Eno came running in and said, 'I have heard the sound of the future,' " David Bowie famously wrote in the liner notes to Sound and Vision. "He puts on 'I Feel Love,' by Donna Summer. ... He said, 'This is it, look no further. This single is going to change the sound of club music for the next 15 years.' Which was more or less right."

Indeed, imagine the music of Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Rihanna, Katy Perry and countless others minus their ubiquitous glittering synths. You can't. Without what was at the time a risky and bold move, modern dance music might not exist as it does today.

Summer's impact on music is so vast it's nearly incalculable, but in memory of the disco diva, we're looking back on some of the ways her music has survived through the years, has been brought to life by other artists and how many of music's biggest names counted themselves as fans of the Queen of Disco.

» The refrain from Summer's 17-minute 1975 breakthrough "Love to Love You Baby" is sampled on Beyoncé's hit "Naughty Girl" from her debut solo album Dangerously in Love.

» For the elaborate opening sequence of Madonna's 2006 Confessions Tour, a 2-ton, $4 million disco ball was lowered onto the stage at the end of the runway and then opened to reveal the star, who started into her own synth-heavy "Future Lovers" before the song dissolved seamlessly into Summer's "I Feel Love."

» "Hot Stuff" and "MacArthur Park" are go-to songs for reality singing contestants looking to prove their range — Summer was a mezzo-soprano with a powerhouse delivery — while keeping things upbeat. Both songs have been performed on "The X Factor" and "American Idol."

» Bruce Springsteen was a big Summer fan and wrote two songs for her. The first one, "Cover Me," he ultimately recorded for his own Born to Run, but Summer recorded the second, "Protection," and Springsteen and the E Street Band supplied the track. The pair also recorded "Protection" as a duet, though it was never released.

» Summer is easily one of the most sampled artists in the history of music. "I Feel Love" has been sampled by some of the biggest artists in dance, from Madonna and Britney Spears to David Guetta and Moby, and covered by artists as diverse as the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Kylie Minogue and Blondie.

I think people forget how much Donna influenced today's artists and the music scene in general. She will be missed

[Mrluvaluva]

Statement from her family:

"Early this morning, we lost Donna Summer Sudano, a woman of many gifts, the greatest being her faith.

"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."

Music journalist Paul Gambaccini told Sky News that Summer will have a "lasting legacy".

"She never set out to be what she became. She came over to Europe to be a musical theatre actress and wound up being Queen of Disco because she met Pete Bellotte and Giorgio Moroder.

"She was for about five years just unstoppable."

Dionne Warwick said in a statement that she was sad to lose a great performer and "dear friend".

"My heart goes out to her husband and her children," Warwick said.

"Prayers will be said to keep them strong."

She was the first female to have four number one singles in a 12-month period.

Summer leaves behind a husband, three daughters and four grandchildren.

Youtube video

[Redway]

That's really sad. Hope she rests in peace. Honestly, the things that happen in this world are so unpredictable and sad at times. Can't even begin to imagine what sort of pain the family's going through right now.

[GypsyGoth]

[Marc]

So sad. Such a huge star and an icon.

R.I.P legend x

[Z]

Listening to I Feel Love now. Legend.

[joeysteele]

Made many great tracks, Really sad to hear she has died, I really like a lot of her songs, 'Love's Unkind' particularly.

[Maia]

An icon Terrible news. R.I.P.

[Mrluvaluva]

Originally Posted by joeysteele

Made many great tracks, Really sad to hear she has died, I really like a lot of her songs, 'Love's Unkind' particularly.

Great song. Heaven Knows was a favourite of mine too. Been playing a few tonight. She recorded so many good songs.

[joeysteele]

Originally Posted by Mrluvaluva

Great song. Heaven Knows was a favourite of mine too. Been playing a few tonight. She recorded so many good songs.

I really like that one too.

[Shaun]

that's so unexpected. R.I.P. <3