Once upon a time, there was Disco. It was a kingdom of glamour and decadence, where coke was plentiful and all was good. Lovely maidens sporting Candies shoes and Farrah Fawcett hairdos frolicked in Mac Arthur’s Park while groovy guys named Tony danced the night away with gold chains dangling from their hairy chests.

A beautiful dark Queen resided in a Casablanca Castle. Her reign was long and fruitful. Little boys dreamt of marrying her, certain boys wanted to dress like her and all of the little girls wanted to be her.

Recently, I got the chance to speak to her highness in person and found out that despite some nasty rumors and a hiatus from the world of music, Donna Summer is yet back on the throne and happy to still be Queen.

BBB: Speaking of ‘Love to Love You Baby’, I read that around the same time of your releasing the single, it was a very trying time for you. You were quoted as saying, "I’m one of those artists that feels like she’s been taken advantage of...I was royally robbed…" What exactly were you referring to?
Donna: I was robbed in terms of finances over the years, by things that were taken that shouldn’t have been. I’m not bitter though. I was with a company (Casablanca) that really spearheaded the whole dance movement. The guy who did it at the time (Neil Bogart) was very insightful, he knew what to do with me. He taught me a lot. He took at times, more than he should have, may he rest in peace, but that’s life. I don’t dwell on it.

BBB: It’s an undeniable fact that a lot of your fan base in the early years were gay. You almost became the Judy Garland of the ‘70s. Then you became a born-again Christian and some nasty rumors spread that you denounced all homosexuals. Is there any truth in what was being said about you?
Donna: (A long, uncomfortable silence) That happened 12 years ago. No comment anymore. I will not even talk about it. It’s over. It’s something I never said. Just bringing it up is like pouring salt on an open wound. Even if it’s a lie, how do you disprove it? It caused me a lot of pain. Again, no comment.

BBB: It must be frustrating to break the stereotypes. I know you’ve been working hard to shed the "Queen of Disco" title. Have you won the battle?
Donna: I’m not trying to shed the title. I’m just trying to broaden the spectrum. The title doesn’t bother me as long as it doesn’t limit me. I have no problem with titles. As long as I’m the Queen of something. I don’t have a problem with that at all.

Donna’s sold-out performance continues to create an expanding audience of young and old alike. Unlike most stars of the ‘70s, she’s worked her way back to our hearts. So get out the blue eye shadow and curling iron...and love the Queen!