“I had the honor to meet Donna back in 2008 at the W Hotel during her promotional tour for her CD ‘Crayons’ and spoke briefly with her, she signed my copy of her 1977 vinyl album ‘Once Upon A Time’ and during our conversation I told her that the song ‘Now I Need You’ from that album was my ‘coming out’ song, she told me it was her fave song on there. It is my all-time fave album of hers, she was very real, very funny and cracked a joke when I asked about a story I had heard years ago about ‘One Upon A Time’ being made into a Broadway musical back in the day…and she said ‘I never say never baby!’ I wonder whatever happened to the ‘concept’ album?

Once Upon A Time was brilliant, groundbreaking and even a little avant-guarde for it’s time, one of the many collaborations of hers with producers/composers Giorgio Moroder & Pete Bellotte. And as you can see from the pic Miss Donna got very up close and personal with me!

Alas, now those days are gone, as so sadly is one of the most memorable & pioneering recording artist/performers ever, she will always be remembered, lamented, and never forgotten.

I’ll still be playing a couple of ‘Stranded Playlists’ from you, the listener but tonight’s show will be dedicated in memoriam to #DonnaSummer.