"It was the first time a type of drum machine had been used in this manner." Love to Love You Baby became a huge dancefloor and radio hit in 1976, and the following year electro anthem I Feel Love turned Bellotte and Moroder into Europe's most sought-after producers. "I Feel Love was the last track on the concept album I Remember Yesterday, on which Donna sang the first track in a 1940s style and through various other genres until the final song was intended to represent the future," Bellotte explained. "We used a Moog synthesizer to give the song this futuristic feel, and discovered a new way to lay level upon level of sound onto the track in perfect sync. We had no idea it was going to sound so special." The throbbing track remained funky enough for the coolest of nightclubs, and continues to inspire dance music today.

Photos from L to R: #1. Donna. #2. Beyonce.

Dance music has become such a big thing now

 The trio notched up a further 10 hits including Love's Unkind, MacArthur Park, Hot Stuff and Bad Girls. Success also enabled Bellotte to work with Sir Elton John and R&B star Melba Moore, and to form dance duo Trax. But disco's dominance came to an end in 1979 with the rise of punk in the UK and a vocal US backlash inspired by criticism of its black and gay origins. "In New York I remember seeing graffiti everywhere saying 'disco sucks'," said Bellotte. "I knew it was the end of an era. 'Disco' became a dirty word for a long time." Record company Geffen delayed the release of the trio's final album, I'm a Rainbow, for 15 years. Bellotte parted company with Summer in 1981 and Moroder in 1984, after the pair collaborated on a new soundtrack for Fritz Lang's Metropolis. The British producer took an extended break from music before setting up a recording studio in West Sussex. "I'm looking for a new singer at the moment but my standards are just incredibly high," he said. "Donna was one of those phenomenal one-take artists - she could just come in, sing the song and go. She was always spot on." He is delighted by the renewed interest in disco by chart stars such as Scissor Sisters, Kylie Minogue and Beyonce Knowles, who revived Love to Love You Baby on her recent hit Naughty Girl. Nevertheless Bellotte has wide tastes in music and is currently most impressed by stylish US rock band The Killers. While he was unable to attend the Dance Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony, at which The Bee Gees and the late Barry White were also praised, Bellotte was "very pleased" with the honour. "Dance music has become such a big thing now, I expect its influence to just keep growing and growing," he said. "It is very nice to be remembered." T. Bishor