Rock and roll is filled with countless stories, but few capture the essence of love, music, and destiny quite like that of Bruce Sudano. From launching his career at just 13 years old with the band Alive N Kickin’ to forming Brooklyn Dreams—where he met his future wife, the legendary Donna Summer—Sudano’s journey is one of passion, perseverance, and artistic evolution.

Sudano has spent a lifetime crafting songs that reflect his experiences—love, heartache, struggle, and spirituality—all told through music. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, he was drawn to the vibrant sounds of the city, often escaping into the streets to be with the music that surrounded him. By his early teens, he was performing in clubs, setting the stage for what would become an extraordinary career.

In 1969, at just 20 years old, Sudano scored his first hit, co-writing Ball of Fire with Tommy James, whom he met while navigating the New York club scene. A year later, his band Alive N Kickin’ climbed the charts with Tighter, Tighter, a song co-written and produced by James, reaching No. 7 on the Billboard charts. The band’s success led them to tour with Chicago and Frank Zappa.

By 1977, Sudano co-founded Brooklyn Dreams, releasing their debut album under Jimmy Ienner’s Millennium Records. That same year, he met Donna Summer, who was signed to Casablanca Records. Their musical chemistry was undeniable, and their creative partnership quickly turned into romance. Together, Brooklyn Dreams and Summer collaborated on multiple projects, including the 1978 soundtrack for Thank God It’s Friday and the Top 5 hit Heaven Knows, where the band provided backing vocals.

In 1979, Sudano co-wrote Bad Girls, which became a No. 1 smash for Summer. His songwriting continued to make waves throughout the ‘80s, penning hits such as Tell Me I’m Not Dreamin’ (Too Good to Be True)—a duet between Jermaine and Michael Jackson, later covered by Robert Palmer—and multiple tracks for Summer - She Works Hard for the Money album. He also contributed Closest Thing to Perfect, the title track for the John Travolta and Jamie Lee Curtis film Perfect.

Beyond his career, Sudano and Summer built a family together, raising two daughters, Brooklyn and Amanda. Brooklyn is an actress and director, helming the 2023 documentary Love to Love You, Donna Summer, while Amanda is a singer-songwriter and member of the duo Johnnyswim.

Since Summer’s passing in 2012, Sudano has continued to evolve as an artist, writing and performing with a renewed sense of purpose. His latest album, Talkin’ Ugly Truth, Tellin’ Pretty Lies, features collaborations with producer Ken Lewis (Taylor Swift, Drake, Kanye West, BTS) and includes the rhythmic anthem Make the World Go Away.

Through decades of change, love, and loss, Bruce Sudano remains a storyteller at heart, proving that his journey in music—and in life—is far from over.

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