The Diva Debate

My friend Mick the Great just sent me a short, simple email

Subject: Icon


Donna Summer vs. Whitney Houston - GO!


I have my answer.

As do I.  Look, Whitney Houston made a few nice songs, and was certainly a legend.  But I maintain that she became as legendary for being a train wreck.  Certainly not as deserving of the fuss that was received.

But Donna Summer was, simply, the bomb.  Donna Summer set the bar for disco and the mess that was the late-70's.  Her music was completely inescapable.  As a seven year-old, I can remember the Giorgio Moroder-infused sound of "Love to Love You Baby" coming out of the AM radio in our 1971 Chevy Impala.


I didn't know what that woman was moaning about, but I knew it was making my parents uncomfortable.  Giggity giggity goo!

The hits kept coming for Summer, and until 1980 (after "the death of disco") she was as ubiquitous on the radio as anyone. 

I simply don't have the time and/or energy for this debate otherwise.  Common sense may speak to the simple answer of "Whitney Houston" for this topic, but my money is on Summer, who helped spark a genre.

Then again, it's an opinion, so there really isn't a wrong answer.

So I have my answer.