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Deanna Summers

1940 – 2017

American songwriter

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About Deanna Summers

Lived 1940 – 2017 (aged 76). Deanna Summers was an American songwriter, composer, model (person) and music publisher (popular music).

Deanna (Dea) Summers (May 30, 1940 – February 14, 2017, in Garland, Texas) was an American writer, songwriter, and music publisher. She was the co-founder of Silicon Music Publishers in 1965, Domino Records in 1968, and Front Row Records in 1976. Her first commercial recordings as an artist were in 1976 – her best-known tracks include "Ballad Of Moon Dog Mayne" and "Do You Think I'm Sexy" (1979).

Biography Summers was born in New Albany, Mississippi, in 1940. Her family relocated to Memphis, Tennessee, in 1952, where she attended Kingsbury Jr. High School. She also attended Humes High School before her family relocated to Dallas, Texas. She was an active member of Broadcast Music Incorporated (BMI) as both a songwriter and publisher affiliate from 1965. She was co-owner of Silicon Music Publishing, and many of her compositions have been recorded by various artists.

In 1977 she wrote "Goodbye Priscilla (Bye Bye Baby Blue)" as a tribute to Elvis Presley and Priscilla Presley. The song was issued by Tear Drop Records in 1977 and became one of her best-known compositions. The "Goodbye Priscilla" 45 is now highly collectible and has been issued on several Elvis Presley tribute compilation albums and CDs. She later met with Priscilla Presley and personally presented her with a copy of the original 45rpm record.

Summers was profiled in the Dictionary of International Biography (1982 Edition published by IBC Cambridge). She was also profiled in Songwriter's Market (1979–Present) published by Writer's Digest Books.

Deanna Summers was married to Rockabilly musician Gene Summers from 1961 until her death in 2017. They have three sons Dusty, Steve and Shawn.

Her compositions include: "Ballad Of Moondog Mayne"; "Baby Please Tell Me Why"; "Crazy Cat Corner"; ""Domino"; "Don't Let Me Down Baby"; "Goodbye Priscilla (Bye Bye Baby Blue)"; "Honey Your Mind's Working Overtime"; "Hot Pants"; "I Love A Mystery"; "Just Together"; "Long Story Song"; "My Yearbook"; "Rat Fink"; "Rockin' Fever"; "So"; "Still The Grand Ole Opry Queen"; "Who Stole The Marker (From The Grave Of Bonnie Parker)".

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Education
Humes Preparatory Academy Middle School, Garland High School
Also known as
Deanna (Dea) Summers

People in Deanna Summers's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Deanna Summers's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Deanna Summers?

American songwriter

When was Deanna Summers born?

Deanna Summers was born on 30 May 1940.

When did Deanna Summers die?

Deanna Summers died on 14 February 2017.

What was Deanna Summers's occupation?

Deanna Summers was a songwriter, composer, model (person) and music publisher (popular music).

What nationality was Deanna Summers?

Deanna Summers was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Deanna Summers

· Wikidata: Q17027988

· DBpedia: Deanna Summers

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Deanna Summers. https://biography.guide/deanna-summers/

MLA: "Deanna Summers." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/deanna-summers/.

Chicago: "Deanna Summers." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/deanna-summers/.

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