Donna Summer

Donna Summer

Born: December 31, 1948
Died: May 17, 2012
in Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Donna Summer (born LaDonna Adrian Gaines; December 31, 1948 – May 17, 2012) was an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She gained prominence during the disco era of the 1970s and became known as the "Queen of Disco", while her music gained a global following.

Influenced by the counterculture of the 1960s, Summer became the lead singer of a psychedelic rock band named Crow and moved to New York City. In 1968 she joined a German adaptation of the musical Hair in Munich, where she spent several years living, acting, and singing. There, she met music producers Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte, and they went on to record influential disco hits together such as "Love to Love You Baby" and "I Feel Love", marking Summer's breakthrough into international music markets. Summer returned to the United States in 1976, and more hits such as "Last Dance", her version of "MacArthur Park", "Heaven Knows", "Hot Stuff", "Bad Girls", "Dim All the Lights", "No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)" with Barbra Streisand, and "On the Radio" followed.

Summer amassed a total of 42 hit singles on the US Billboard Hot 100 in her lifetime, with 14 of those reaching the Top 10. She claimed a top-40 hit every year between 1975 and 1984, and from her first top-ten hit in 1976, to the end of 1982, she had 12 top-ten hits (10 were top-five hits), more than any other act during that time period. She returned to the Hot 100's top five in 1983, and claimed her final top-ten hit in 1989 with "This Time I Know It's for Real". She was the first artist to have three consecutive double albums reach the top of the US Billboard 200 chart and charted four number-one singles in the US within a 12-month period. She also charted two number-one singles on the R&B Singles chart in the US and a number-one single in the United Kingdom. Her most recent Hot 100 hit came in 1999 with "I Will Go with You (Con te partirò)". While her fortunes on the Hot 100 waned in subsequent decades, Summer remained a force on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart throughout her entire career.

Summer died on May 17, 2012, from lung cancer, at her home in Naples, Florida. She sold over 100 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling music artists of all time. She won five Grammy Awards. In her obituary in The Times, she was described as the "undisputed queen of the Seventies disco boom" who reached the status of "one of the world's leading female singers." Moroder described Summer's work on the song "I Feel Love" as "really the start of electronic dance" music. In 2013, Summer was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In December 2016, Billboard ranked her sixth on its list of the "Greatest of All Time Top Dance Club Artists".

Description above from the Wikipedia article Donna Summer, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Movies for Donna Summer...

Love to Love You, Donna Summer
Title: Love to Love You, Donna Summer
Character: Self (archive footage)
Released: February 21, 2023
Type: Movie
The extraordinary story of disco queen Donna Summer through a rich archive of unpublished film excerpts, home video, photographs, artwork, writings, personal audio and other recordings that span the life of one of the most iconic performers ever to shake a room to its timbers. From her early career with Giorgio Moroder in Germany, to later years more focused on spirituality and family life as a shelter from troubles associated with both notoriety and intimate wounds, her story is all the more special for being told in the first person – both singular and plural.
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Stock Aitken Waterman: Legends of Pop
Title: Stock Aitken Waterman: Legends of Pop
Character: Self
Released: January 21, 2023
Type: Movie
Mike Stock, Matt Aitken and Pete Waterman were the producers who came, SAW and conquered the UK charts in the 1980s, spinning the music scene right round like a record with their instantly recognisable brand of disco floor-filling pop hits. The trio divided the nation between those who loved their Hi-NRG sound and the singers they transformed into tabloid sensations, and a music press that loathed them for turning record producing into a production line. Today, many of SAW’s most memorable hits are considered classics of their time, and the very best of them are celebrated in this new selection, featuring such artists as Rick Astley, Dead or Alive, Donna Summer, Bananarama, Mel & Kim and, of course, Kylie and Jason
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Title: Il était une fois Champs-Élysées
Character: Self (archive footage)
Released: December 21, 2022
Type: TV
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La TV des 70's : Quand Giscard était président
Title: La TV des 70's : Quand Giscard était président
Character: Self (archive footage)
Released: January 7, 2022
Type: Movie
In May 1974, Valéry Giscard d'Estaing became President of the Republic and wanted to bring about a new era of modernity. One of his first decisions was to break up the ORTF with the creation of three new television channels: TF1, Antenne 2 and FR3. Three new public channels but autonomous and competing. It is a race for the audience which is engaged then, and from now on the channels will make the war! This competition will give birth to a real golden age for television programs, with variety shows in the forefront. The stars of the song are going to invade the living rooms of the French for their biggest pleasure. This unedited documentary tells the story of the metamorphosis of this television of the early 1970s, between freedom of tone, scandals, political intrigues and programs that have become mythical.
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Title: 70 Years of Youth Revolt
Character: Self (archive footage)
Released: November 21, 2020
Type: TV
A look back at the social movements, revolts and youth subcultures from the post-war period to the present day: after the World War II, the left-bank of Paris became a mecca for jazz and alternative living, youth culture was born with trailblazing American movies, and rock became the soundtrack to a generation that wanted to change everything.
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Title: TV Story Superstar
Character: Self (archive footage)
Released: January 23, 2020
Type: TV
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Disco Europe Express
Title: Disco Europe Express
Character: Self - Singer (archive footage)
Released: September 15, 2019
Type: Movie
Despite its Afro-American origins, the history of disco music, the soundtrack of the seventies, would be inconceivable without a handful of legendary European music producers who conjured up some of the biggest world-wide hits in the anonymity of their studios.
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High Energy: Disco on Amphetamines
Title: High Energy: Disco on Amphetamines
Character: Self - Singer (archive footage)
Released: February 19, 2019
Type: Movie
By the end of the seventies, disco music, considered too mainstream, was dead. But DJs and dance floors still needed new records and faster rhythms. Built on synthesizer sounds, the hi-nrg (high energy) style swept the gay clubs before hitting the charts during the eighties.
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Do I Look Like a Lady? (Comedians and Singers)
Title: Do I Look Like a Lady? (Comedians and Singers)
Character: Self (archive footage)
Released: October 16, 2016
Type: Movie
Do I Look Like a Lady? (Comedians and Singers) presents a dynamic checkerboard of moving image footage featuring African-American actors and singers from across the 20th century: from Jackie “Moms” Mabley to Eartha Kitt, Whoopi Goldberg, Whitney Houston, and several others. The video focuses on their individual voices as they express heartbreaking roles, pointed lyrics, sharp jokes, and strong statements of resistance to the dominant culture. The work is a powerful, and often riotous, reflection on the roles of black women in the United States.
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Les Enfants de la Pop 80's
Title: Les Enfants de la Pop 80's
Character: Self (archive footage)
Released: October 22, 2012
Type: Movie
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Hit Man Returns - David Foster & Friends
Title: Hit Man Returns - David Foster & Friends
Character: Self
Released: March 11, 2011
Type: Movie
Hitman Returns was filmed before a sold out crowd last year at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. The lineup of talent, lead by Foster as maestro of ceremonies, includes performances by Seal, Donna Summer, Martina McBride, Earth, Wind & Fire, Natalie Cole, Ruben Studdard, All-4-One,'Glee' star Charice, Chaka Khan, Jackie Evancho, Lara Fabian and other artists whose careers have been touched by Foster, a 15-time Grammy winning producer and songwriter.
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Donna Summer - Live from New York
Title: Donna Summer - Live from New York
Released: January 1, 2008
Type: Movie
The DVD is a re-release of the concert from 02/28/1999. The peculiarity of this edition is the format 720x480 (16:9) (against 4:3 in the previous edition), as well as the sound of dts 5.1, a different order of songs, a different boxing design and, as it seemed to me, a slightly different shooting. Although I didn’t understand exactly, since the wide screen gives a different feeling. The quality of the video recording, in my opinion, is much worse than 4:3, but I did not closely compare. This DVD can only be of interest to true fans of Donna Summer, who want to have a favorite in all variants and angles.
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Soul Divas
Title: Soul Divas
Character: Self
Released: December 15, 2007
Type: Movie
Three generations of powerful soul divas come together in this glittering collection of blistering live performances and classic videos. From Mavis Staples to Beyoncé ... from Mary Wells to Lauryn Hill ... the proud heart of female soul has never been more exciting.
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Best of Night of the Proms Vol. 2
Title: Best of Night of the Proms Vol. 2
Character: Self
Released: January 1, 2007
Type: Movie
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The Midnight Special Legendary Performances: More 1978
Title: The Midnight Special Legendary Performances: More 1978
Character: Self
Released: January 1, 2007
Type: Movie
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The Midnight Special Legendary Performances: Million Sellers
Title: The Midnight Special Legendary Performances: Million Sellers
Character: Self
Released: July 15, 2006
Type: Movie
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Burt Sugarman's The Midnight Special: 1976
Title: Burt Sugarman's The Midnight Special: 1976
Character: Self
Released: June 1, 2006
Type: Movie
Live performances from a television music show that aired late night on the NBC-TV network the U.S.
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Donna Summer: Live
Title: Donna Summer: Live
Character: Self
Released: January 1, 2005
Type: Movie
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Songs From the Neighborhood: The Music of Mister Rogers
Title: Songs From the Neighborhood: The Music of Mister Rogers
Character: Self
Released: January 1, 2005
Type: Movie
Included with the CD is a bonus DVD featuring a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the album. Track List: 01. Won't You Be My Neighbor? - Jon Secada 02. It's You I Like - Amy Grant 03. It's Such a Good Feeling - B.J. Thomas 04. Then Your Heart is Full of Love - CeCe Winans 05. What Do You Do? - John Pizzarelli 06. This is Just the Day - Maureen McGovern 07. Sometimes - Bobby Caldwell 08. Did You Know? - Crystal Gayle 09. Just For Once - Toni Rose 10. Let's Think of Something to Do - Ricky Skaggs 11. Are You Brave? - Donna Summer 12. Won't You Be My Neighbor? - Roberta Flack 13. Thank You For Being You - Ensemble
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The Power of One: The Pokémon 2000 Movie Special
Title: The Power of One: The Pokémon 2000 Movie Special
Character: Self
Released: July 16, 2000
Type: Movie
A promotional concert/behind the scenes special for the American release of Pokémon: The Movie 2000.
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Donna Summer - Live and More Encore!
Title: Donna Summer - Live and More Encore!
Character: Self
Released: December 21, 1999
Type: Movie
Since her '70s heyday as disco's reigning diva (and one of its most adventurous artists), Donna Summer has scored the odd hit: "She Works Hard for the Money," "This Time I Know It's for Real." She's still best remembered for the likes of "Last Dance," "Dim All the Lights," and "I Feel Love," though, and this VH1-tie-in comeback bid concentrates on full-bodied if somewhat murkily mixed versions of those classics and their kin. The two new studio cuts that round out the disc are OK at best, although they do display Summer's ability to adapt to changes in pop-dance sounds.
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Title: The Early Show
Character: Self
Released: November 1, 1999
Type: TV
The Early Show is an American morning television show which was broadcast by CBS from New York City from 1999 to 2012. The program aired live from 7 to 9 a.m. Eastern Time Monday through Friday in the Eastern time zone; most affiliates in the Central, Mountain, and Pacific time zones aired the show on tape-delay from 7 to 9 a.m. local time. The Saturday edition aired live from 7 to 9 a.m. Eastern Time as well, but a number of affiliates did not carry it or aired it later on tape-delay. It premiered on November 1, 1999, and was the newest of the major networks' morning shows, although CBS has made several attempts to program in the morning slot since 1954. The show aired as a division of CBS News. The Early Show, like many of its predecessors, traditionally ran last in the ratings to its rivals, NBC's Today and ABC's Good Morning America. Much like NBC's The Today Show and The Tonight Show, the title The Early Show was analogous to that of CBS's late-night talk show, The Late Show. On November 15, 2011, CBS announced that a new morning show would replace The Early Show on January 9, 2012. CBS News chairman Jeff Fager and CBS News president David Rhodes stated that the new show would "redefine the morning television landscape." On December 1, it was announced that the new show would be titled CBS This Morning. The Early Show ended its twelve-year run on January 6, 2012, to make way for the program. Charlie Rose, Gayle King, and Erica Hill were named anchors of the new program.
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Title: Where Are They Now?
Character: Self
Released: June 7, 1999
Type: TV
Where Are They Now? was a television series on VH1 that featured past celebrities and updated on their current professional and personal status. Each episode was dedicated to another genre. Though not always in sequence, some episodes were a continuation of the motif of episodes from the past. Those episodes sometimes had Roman numerals in their title to signify their sequel status.
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Donna Summer - Live & More Collection
Title: Donna Summer - Live & More Collection
Released: January 1, 1999
Type: Movie
About the film: It's hard to write something about SUCH artists, it seems that all the words have already been said a long time ago ... A wonderful concert of the famous and unfading Donna Summer, held in New York, in the famous Hammerstein Ballroom. She was called the "Queen of Disco", one of the few "long-livers" of the disco musical style. She was ranked among the most successful singers of the 1970s and 80s. Until now, she holds the record for the number of double albums released in a row, which occupied the first line in the music charts (3 such albums). She also became the first singer in the history of music, whose singles made it to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart 4 times in a year. Over 130 million records have been sold throughout her career. She has performed both in the US and abroad. The singer gave 7 successful world tours in Europe, Latin America, Asia and Australia.
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Off the Menu: The Last Days of Chasen's
Title: Off the Menu: The Last Days of Chasen's
Character: Self
Released: June 19, 1998
Type: Movie
In 1995, Chasen's closed its doors after 60 years of serving chili to movie stars and visiting dignitaries, Presidents and the Pope. During its two final weeks, Chasen regulars (actors and producers), staff, and management sat for interviews. There's an Oscar party for 1500, footage and photos of famous diners, and time with Tommy Gallagher, the ebullient head waiter until retirement in 1994, his son Patrick, catering head Raymond Bilbool, general manager Ronnie Clint, hat check girl Val Schwab, ladies' room attendant Onetta Johnson, and foreign- born waiters, including Jaime. When he started in 1970, like other Latins, he wasn't allowed out of the kitchen. It's a family farewell.
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Walt Disney World's 25th Anniversary Party
Title: Walt Disney World's 25th Anniversary Party
Character: Self
Released: February 28, 1997
Type: Movie
Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the most magical place on earth!
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Title: Intimate Portrait
Character: Self
Released: November 14, 1993
Type: TV
Intimate Portrait is a biographical television series on the Lifetime Television cable network focusing on different celebrities, which includes interviews with each subject. Among the people profiled were Grace Kelly, Natalie Wood, Carly Simon, Jackie Kennedy, Katharine Hepburn, Carol Burnett, Tanya Tucker, and Marla Maples.
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Rhythm Divine - History of Disco Music
Title: Rhythm Divine - History of Disco Music
Character: Self (archive footage)
Released: September 20, 1992
Type: Movie
The evolution of disco music through interviews and clips - Acid House, House, Disco, Funk, Italo-Disco, Italodance. Interviewed – Baby Ford, Deee-Lite, Frankie Knuckles, Mark Moore, Mel Cheren Featuring 5000 Volts, Amii Stewart, Anita Ward, Baby Ford, Bananarama, Black Box, Cerrone, Communards, The, Deee-Lite, Donna Summer, Eartha Kitt, Edwin Starr, Evelyn Champagne King, Evelyn Thomas, Farm, The, Giorgio Moroder, Gloria Gaynor, Hot Gossip, Hues Corporation, Isaac Hayes, Kool And The Gang, Kylie Minogue, M, Michael Zager, Miguel Brown, Musique, New Order, Odyssey, S'Express, Shannon, Shirley & Co, Sylvester, Three Degrees, Trammps, Van Mccoy, Village People
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Title: Family Matters
Character: Aunt Oona
Released: September 22, 1989
Type: TV
A long-running dramedy centering on the Winslow family, a middle-class African American family living in Chicago, and their pesky next-door neighbor, ultra-nerd Steve Urkel. A spin-off of Perfect Strangers.
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Title: Lahaye d'honneur
Character: Self
Released: September 25, 1987
Type: TV
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Disneyland's 30th Anniversary Celebration
Title: Disneyland's 30th Anniversary Celebration
Character: Self
Released: February 18, 1985
Type: Movie
Broadcast on NBC February 18, 1985, the Disneyland 30th Anniversary Celebration was hosted by John Forsythe and Drew Barrymore. The special is a look back into the first thirty years of Disneyland's history. Featuring footage from opening day in 1955, including the famous Walt Disney opening day speech.
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Donald Duck's 50th Birthday
Title: Donald Duck's 50th Birthday
Character: Self
Released: November 13, 1984
Type: Movie
Donald is shown in both animated and costumed form, interacting with emcee Dick Van Dyke and other cast members. The film not only shows Donald's life, but also depicts an extensive international tour that Donald went on in 1984 as well as showing various celebrities of the day wishing Donald happy birthday. The tour culminates in a parade in Donald's honor at Disneyland.
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Title: Show & Co. mit Carlo
Character: Self
Released: March 29, 1984
Type: TV
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A Hot Summer Night with Donna
Title: A Hot Summer Night with Donna
Character: Self
Released: October 23, 1983
Type: Movie
This 90 minute show captured Donna Summer's 1983 "Hard For The Money" Tour, and was recorded at the Pacific Amphitheatre in Los Angeles. The full track listing is Macarthur Park, Love Is In Control, Unconditional Love (with Musical Youth), Romeo, Don't Cry For Me Argentina, On The Radio, Woman, One Night Only, Stop In The Name Of Love, a medley of (a) Dim All The Lights (b) Sunset People (c) Bad Girls (d) Hot Stuff, followed by Last Dance, She Works Hard For The Money, State Of Independence. Donna Summers at her peak and her finest.
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Title: Champs-Elysées
Character: Self
Released: January 16, 1982
Type: TV
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The Donna Summer Special
Title: The Donna Summer Special
Character: Self
Released: January 27, 1980
Type: Movie
A variety special that showcased the musical talents of singer and actress Donna Summer.
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The Sensational Shocking Wonderful Wacky 70's
Title: The Sensational Shocking Wonderful Wacky 70's
Character: Self (archive footage)
Released: January 4, 1980
Type: Movie
A look back at the people, events, music, and trends of the 1970s.
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Rona Barrett Looks at 1978
Title: Rona Barrett Looks at 1978
Released: January 1, 1979
Type: Movie
Rona Barrett looks back at 1978 and reflects on the news and entertainment highlights of the year. Includes interviews with John Travolta, Robin Williams, Pricilla Presley, Donna Summers, Steve Martin, and Barbra Streisand.
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Thank God It's Friday
Title: Thank God It's Friday
Character: Nicole Sims
Released: May 19, 1978
Type: Movie
It's Friday and everyone is going to the hot new disco. The Commodores are scheduled to play if Floyd shows up with the instruments and Nicole dreams of becoming a disco star. Other characters are there to win the dance contest, or to put a little excitement into a fifth anniversary.
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Title: Numéro un
Character: Self
Released: April 5, 1975
Type: TV
A French variety show.
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Title: Les Rendez-vous du dimanche
Character: Self
Released: January 12, 1975
Type: TV
A talk show presented by Michel Drucker
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Title: Van Oekel's Discohoek
Character: Self
Released: May 30, 1974
Type: TV
Van Oekel's Discohoek was a Dutch television show, aired on VPRO in 1974-1975. The show, written by Wim T. Schippers and produced by Ellen Jens, starred Dolf Brouwers as Sjef van Oekel, and parodied music television programs of the era. Artists lip-synched their songs, but were frequently interrupted and insulted by van Oekel. The show had a real coup when Captain Beefheart made an appearance.
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Title: Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest
Character: Self
Released: December 31, 1972
Type: TV
A much cherished annual tradition since 1972, the show includes special musical performances, reports on New Year’s celebrations from around the globe and the traditional countdown to midnight along with the iconic Times Square ball drop.
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Title: Disco
Character: Self
Released: February 13, 1971
Type: TV
Disco was a pop music program that aired in Germany on the ZDF network from 1971 to 1982. It generally aired on the first Saturday of each month at 7:30PM, each show running 45 minutes. 133 shows were produced. The show was hosted by German actor and comedian Ilja Richter. Its lesser known predecessor on ZDF, 4-3-2-1 Hot & Sweet was aired between 1966 and 1970, presenters included Ilja Richter and Suzanne Doucet. Disco generally served a younger pop-oriented audience compared to ZDF's Hitparade, and until 1972, its main competitor was Beat-Club, followed by Musikladen, both on ARD. Repeats of Disco have been aired since 1984 on ZDF Musikkanal, after its closedown in 1989 on 3sat. Since 2004, the digital ZDF Theaterkanal aired repeats of the entire series. In 2007, ZDF Dokukanal began to air reruns, starting with episodes from 1975 and also multiple repeats of the series have been shown on hit24 in 2008. The show focussed on chart hits current at the time of airing, giving about equal airtime to international pop music and German Schlager. Despite its name, it did not particularly focus on disco music although it featured many disco hits as long as they were chart relevant..
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Title: Starparade
Character: Self
Released: March 14, 1968
Type: TV
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Title: Viña del Mar International Song Festival
Character: Self - Musical Guest
Released: February 14, 1963
Type: TV
A yearly musical contest organized by the municipality of Viña del Mar, Chile which takes place during the last week of February at the Quinta Vergara Amphitheater since February 21, 1960.
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Title: The Mike Douglas Show
Character: Self
Released: December 11, 1961
Type: TV
The Mike Douglas Show is an American daytime television talk show hosted by Mike Douglas that originally aired only in the Cleveland area during much of its first two years on the air. It then went into syndication in 1963 and remained on television until 1982. It was distributed by Westinghouse Broadcasting and for much of its run, originated from studios of two of the company's TV stations in Cleveland and Philadelphia.
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Title: The Grammy Awards
Character: Self
Released: November 29, 1959
Type: TV
An awards show honoring the achievements of the members of the professional music recording industry. The members of the Recording Academy vote on who they think is most deserving of an award in 108 categories as specified by the academy.