RABAT, Morocco (AP) — U.S. disco legend Gloria Gaynor has mourned the passing of fellow diva Donna Summer from Morocco where she is performing in a music festival.

The singer of the 1979 mega hit “I Will Survive” said at a press conference Friday: “It is a very, very sad occasion and a huge loss for the music industry and to me.”

She added that she shared a mutual admiration with Summer, both “personally and professionally.”

Gaynor is participating in Morocco’s 11th annual Mawazine festival, which features performances from Arab, African and Western artists, which this year also include Mariah Carey and Lenny Kravitz.

Summer, known as the Queen of Disco, died Thursday of cancer.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.