Donna Summer inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - finally

This past Thursday, April 18, at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, Donna Summer was officially inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Finally. And deservedly.

Summer's family -- husband singer-songwriter and producer Bruce Sudano; their two daughters, Brooklyn and Amanda; and daughter Mimi from her first marriage -- posted a message on her website, donnasummer.com:

"We are overjoyed the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has recognized Donna's tremendous musical achievements. It's an honor we know she quietly hoped for and would very much cherish. We are deeply grateful."

Brian Edwards, Summer's assistant from 1989 to 1995, and her client relations representative for the last seven years of her life, shared his thoughts on the long-overdue induction:

"Donna was more than just 'the Queen of Disco,' " Edwards wrote in an email. "Yes, her introduction to stardom was a result of her major successes in the field of disco at the time. However, her career encompassed so many different musical genres, including R&B, gospel, pop, jazz and pure rock and roll."

And Edwards wasn't done defending the artist who won the very first Grammy for rock vocal performance by a female for 1979's "Hot Stuff."

"No disrespect to Madonna, but given the majority of her hit records are pop/dance-oriented, no one said anything when she was inducted [into the Rock Hall]," Edwards wrote. "And she has NEVER even been nominated for a Grammy in the rock [vocal] category, yet she shares the same distinction as Summer as a recipient of a Grammy in the best dance recording category."

The Dance Recording category was introduced in 1997, and the first winner was - Donna Summer.

"The facts speak for themselves," the ever-loyal Edwards wrote. "In my opinion, Donna Summer is more of a true rock artist than Madonna will ever be."

2013 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

What: The Class of 2013 will be inducted in the Cleveland-based Hall of Fame.

Performers:
Rush
Heart
Randy Newman
Public Enemy
Donna Summer
Albert King

Ahmet Ertegun Award for Lifetime Achievement:
Lou Adler
Quincy Jones

Daughter Brooklyn Sudano, Client Relations rep Brian Edwards and husband Bruce Sudano

Super model Cindy Crawford, Client Relations rep Brian Edwards and Summer's longtime manager Susan Munao
on the red carpet of the 2013 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony

All smiles on the red carpet at seeing longtime friend and client Donna Summer inducted into
the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

An edited version of the show will be broadcast 9 p.m. Saturday, May 18 on HBO.

(source)