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Remembering the Queen of Disco, Donna Summer today on the anniversary of her passing. Donna passed away on this date in 2012 at her home in Naples, Florida after falling victim to lung cancer. Summer dominated radio airwaves throughout the 1970's with hits like "Bad Girls", "Last Dance" and "I Feel Love" and scored plenty of chart hits well into the 1980's, most notably "She Works Hard For The Money". Summer was 63 at the time of her death
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Today in rock history: on this date in 1992, Genesis appeared at Tampa Stadium, unofficially referred to as "the big sombrero" based on the shape of the structure, on their successful We Can't Dance tour. Unfortunately lead singer and drummer Phil Collins was suffering from a sore throat and a cold and was having trouble singing. The band make it through two songs and the show abruptly brought to a halt and cancelled. Collins, who made the announcement himself is quoted as telling the 40,000 fans in attendance: "Somebody else should be out here telling this to you, I really haven't got a voice. I have a bad cold and I've been getting treatment all day. For medical reasons, I'm going to have to stop. I have no choice here. I have nothing to give with my voice and I hope you understand." Sadly, the show was never made up and paying patrons were issued refunds for the ticket price.
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Today in rock history: on this date in 1971, Paul McCartney released his second solo album, Ram. The album was recorded mostly with Paul's wife Linda and a few other musicians as this was before the formation of his post-Beatles band, Wings. A favorite among hardcore McCartney fans, the record was mostly panned critically upon its release but has in recent years been praised more enthusiastically. Largely criticized for the blatant swipe at John Lennon and Yoko Ono in the song lyrics "Too Many People", the album came at a time when most of the ex-Beatles were feuding with each other not long after their bitter breakup. The album does contain Paul's very first US solo no. 1 hit single, "Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey". Overall, this is easily one of McCartney's finest solo works.
Born on this date in 1965 in New Castle, Pennsylvania: Nine Inch Nails frontman and creator, Trent Reznor. The musician, songwriter and producer is the mastermind behind making synthpop/industrial metal commercially successful. The imaginative and groundbreaking artist has amassed a large and loyal cult following since his band's first landmark album "Pretty Hate Machine" in 1989. Still blazing trails in the world of electronic music, Reznor turns 52 today.
This article appears in May 11-18, 2017.