HER 1975 PERFORMANCE RIGHTS SOCIETY APPLICATION WITH A RARE VERSION OF HER SIGNATURE

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$ 12 600
Auction dateClassic
29.06.2023 16:00UTC -04:00
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CHRISTIE'S
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USA, New York
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ID 977607
Lot 62 | HER 1975 PERFORMANCE RIGHTS SOCIETY APPLICATION WITH A RARE VERSION OF HER SIGNATURE
SUMMER, Donna (1948-2012). Partly printed document signed ("Donna Sommer"), Munich, 23 June 1975.

In German. Two pages on a single leaf (file holes at margin).

Preparing to release her first major hit, 'Love to Love You', Donna Summer applies to join GVL: the German performance rights society. With two hits in Europe, from her debut LP, Lady of the Night, Donna Summer was about to release 'Love To Love You Baby', which the first song she composed with Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte in 1974. First released in the Netherlands in June 1975 under the title 'Love to Love You', it proved a moderate success, but when she released a new version of the song for Casablanca Records, it became her first top 40 hit in the United States, holding the #2 spot in February 1976.

Rare. The document itself is quite interesting in that it bears an extremely rare version of her signature, signing with her married name, which the previous year had been the subject of a transcription error for her debut LP, mistaking "Sommer," for "Summer." The rest is history.

[With:] a promotional one-sheet biography of Donna Summer from Global Music Group, n.p., ca. 1974. 1 page (hole punches at left margin) * Letter signed by an unidentified individual to Donna Summer, Bossum, Holland, Netherlands, 2 June 1975. One page on Basart Records International B.V. letterhead advising on the enclosure of a contract for her to sign for a live appearance ”for the Gala during X-mas. As you will see, you do not have to appear on Newyears [sic] eve.” * Typed letter signed (“Claus Dittmar;) to Donna Summer, Munich, 28 April 1975. In German. One page of Family Tree letterhead. A royalty statement of funds paid by GVL for radio airplay in 1974. * MASCHKE, George. Typed letter signed ("George") to Donna Summer, Zurich, 21 October 1975. In German. One page on Say Yes Music letterhead (file holes along left margin). A letter detailing various current chart positions for her first LP, Lady of the Night. * Typed document, Cham, 11 December 1975. One page on stamped "Say Yes Music AG" letterhead (file holes along the left margin). A royalty statement covering the period 3 January to 15 December 1975.
83/8 x 113/4 in. (21.3 x 29.8 cm.)
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