Mr BioFile Interviews by Scoop Malinowski
By Scoop Malinowski
Status: Pop music/disco queen best known for her hit songs “I Will Survive”, “Never Can Say Goodbye”, “Let Me Know (I have a right)” and “I Am What I Am.”
DOB: September 7, 1949 In: Newark, NJ
Music Inspirations: Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Nancy Wilkins.
Hobbies/Leisure Activities: I like to cook. I like to sew. I like studying the Bible. I like shopping [smiles]. I’m a shoe fan.
Favorite Movie: The Incredibles [laughs].
Last Book: The Bible.
Favorite TV Show: Smallville.
Musical Favorites: I like Beyonce, Norah Jones and Alicia Keys. And Brian McKnight, J.T. Taylor.
First Job: Was a sales auditor at Bamberger’s department store in Newark, NJ.
Current Car: Mercedes S550, silver.
Childhood Dream: A teacher. Which is something I will do.
Greatest Career Moment: Greatest moment in my career was probably when I received the LEGEND Award was presented to me in Monte Carlo by Prince Albert (2002 at World Music Awards).
Most Painful Moment: Most painful moment of my career…when I realized tha Polydor Records had dropped my contract (in 1983).
Most Memorable Performance: Probably when I did the performance before being inducted into the Disco Music Hall of Fame (in 2005). I did a marathon version of “I Will Survive” because it was right after my divorce. What would you say was your finest, best performance? Just a few days ago (October 2009) I did a symphony concert in Spain and the people applauded for like five minutes.
Personality Qualities Most Admired: I like honesty, forthrightness, integrity.
Gloria Gaynor “I Will Survive” video has over 115m views on You Tube
(Note: I did this Biofile interview with Gloria Gaynor at a New York Giants NFL game in the media center cafeteria after she performed the national anthem, at the old Giants Stadium.)
