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Hey Cousins!
I have always thought of GLORIA GAYNOR as the Queen of Disco. She was born in Newark, NJ to a musical family. Her father Daniel was a successful musician, and her brothers performed gospel music in a quartet.
Gloria’s breakthrough record was released in 1975 and became a major dance floor sensation – “ Never Can Say Goodbye”. This record helped mark the rise of disco music.
Gloria’s star was about to shine very brightly. The song was supposed to be the B-Side of her new record. However it was so powerful musically and the lyrics grabbed the audience immediately that “I Will Survive” became an international sensation.
The song remains an anthem for resilience and has been embraced by various communities as a symbol of strength. “I Will Survive” earned Gloria the Grammy for Best Disco
Recording for 1980.
She won her second Grammy in 2020 for her gospel album “Testimony”. Her influence endures through performances, charitable work, and honors like the inclusion of “I Will Survive” in the National Recording Registry.
Gloria sent me her new recording “Fida Known.” We’ll all listen to it when Gloria Gaynor visits us this Saturday 2/22/25.
– CB
