Hollywood, CA (Top40 Charts/ Legacy Media Relations) Gloria Gaynor's #1 International Hit , "I Will Survive," will be one of 25 recordings that will be honored at the 54th Grammy Awards Ceremony in February 2012. The song climbed to #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 singles chart not only once - but twice in the spring of 1979 and reached #1 on charts in almost every country and continent around the world that same year. The single also garnered Gaynor her first Grammy for Best
Disco Song in 1980, and was the first and last time the Academy had a category for 'disco' recordings. Nowadays it is called Dance music, and
Gloria was certainly a pioneer in this genre that still generates hits with the likes of Lady GaGa, Britney Spears,
Chris Brown and
David Guetta.
In order to be inducted, a recording has to be at least 25 years old — and only 25 new inductees are selected each year, so earning the enshrinement is no small honor.
Joining Gaynor in the Hall of Fame are recordings by Bruce Springsteen, Tina Turner, The Rolling Stones,
Paul Simon Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, and the iconic speech, "I Have A Dream," delivered by
Martin Luther King Jr. in 1963.
"I am honored and grateful to have this song included in the Grammy Hall of Fame this year, and to be among the list of artists I admire and have tremendous respect for. 'I Will Survive,' should remind us to be proactive in this world. In trying times, people are always looking for answers and direction of what to do and where to go next. So is it really so hard to believe that 'I Will Survive' has more relevance now than it did in 1979? Through this song, we all can relate to a human being who has faced the same struggles and summoned the strength to rise above and survive. When you are knocked down you get back up, shrug off the hit and survive - don't be afraid of the future!" says Gaynor.
In 2002
Gloria released her first studio album in 10 years, "I Wish You Love" (Logic Records) and the album produced several #1 songs on the dance charts and the single "I Never Knew" was a hit on the Adult Contemporary Charts on Billboard as well as the Dance and Hot 100 Singles and Airplay. In 2005,
Gloria and "
I Will Survive" were inducted into the Dance
Music Hall of Fame during a ceremony that took place in New York City. VH-1 also recently honored Ms. Gaynor with the number one spot during their countdown of the Top 100 Dance Records of All Time.
Gloria continues to set the standard, and her popularity continues to flourish well into the 21st century. She has had success as an author, flourished on Broadway, the small screen and "
I Will Survive" has been featured in more than 40 film soundtracks.
"
I Will Survive" was recorded in 1978 by Gaynor, and written by Freddie Perren and Dino Fekaris, as a tale of personal strength and was soon to become the greatest dance anthem of all time. (Gloria was in a back brace when the song was recorded). Throughout the years the song has taken a life of its own and has grown into the banner for social survival which is still relevant after three decades of international airplay.
In addition to her signature song, she has had numerous other Billboard hits including "Honeybee," Never Can Say Goodbye," "Anybody Wanna Party," and "I Am What I Am."
Live concerts are an integral part of her life today. She continues to tour and to entertain people year round including NBC's "Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade", "The Last Comic Standing" "The
Tonight Show with Jay Leno", and "The 'X' Factor in
Europe .
She was recently honored at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles where again she performed several of her hit songs and was interviewed by Billboard magazine's Gail Mitchell about her career, her life and the ever-changing future of the music industry. She also performed a live duet, "Tell Him," with TV/film star Nadia Bjorlin of "Days of our Lives" and E!'s "Dirty Soap." In early 2011 she was the recipient of the Golden Camera Award from one of Europe's leading entertainment program magazine, Horzu, in the category of 'Lifetime Achievement In Music.' As
Gloria forges ahead in this new decade, the journey continues to unfold as she tells the world how she is continuing to survive.
The Grammys will be held on February 12, 2012 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles and broadcast live on CBS.
