Janet Jackson: Donna Summer "Changed the World of Music"

Plus, Dolly Parton recalls the Disco Queen as "one of the most likable and fun people ever"

By Rebecca Macatee May 17, 2012 9:38 PMTags
Donna SummerEthan Miller/Getty Images

Donna Summer is certainly going to be missed.

Following the "Hot Stuff" singer's death Thursday, Janet Jackson told E! News in a statement that Summer "changed the world of music with her beautiful voice and incredible talent."

Dolly Parton, Barbra Streisand, Chaka Khan and Mary J. Blige also had incredibly sweet things to say about Summer.

"I can't believe we've lost another wonderful singer," the country legend said. "Donna, like Whitney [Houston], had one of the greatest voices ever. I loved her records. She was the disco queen, and will remain so."

"I knew her and found her to be one of the most likable and fun people ever," Parton added. "She will be missed and remembered."

Chaka Khan expressed her grief for Summer as well. "I will miss her very much," Khan said. "My love goes out to her family. I'm here for them. Donna and I had a friendship for over 30 years. She is one of the few black women I could speak German with and she is one of the few friends I had in this business."

Barbra Streisand said she was "shocked" to hear about Summer's passing. "She was so vital the last time I saw her a few months ago," Streisand added. "I loved doing the duet with her. She had an amazing voice and was so talented…It's so sad."

Mary J. Blige took to Twitter to remember the singer. "RIP Donna Summers!!!!!!!!!" she wrote. "You were truly a game changer!!!"