 
Laura Branigan was born in New York on July 3, 1952
just outside New York City. Although a performance
career was never something Laura wanted in her
childhood, her lead role in a senior play in high
school quickly changed her mind and her future. In
the early 70s, Laura attended the American Academy of
Dramatic Arts in New York City.
Laura was a former backing vocalist with Leonard
Cohen in the late 70s and toured with him
throughout Europe. By 1977, Laura had determination
to become a solo artist and 2 years later was signed
with Atlantic Record. A change in managers resulted
in a breach-of-contract lawsuit, but it didn't deter
Laura from becoming one of the biggest female pop
artists of the decade.
 # 35
Singles Artist of the Year
Laura's first big appearance on pop radio was with
the single "Gloria" which became a huge #1 hit and
the staple song of her career. The track came from
Laura's debut LP, Branigan. Although "Gloria" took several weeks to become a
hit, once it did, the song remained on the charts
several months. Another track from the LP, "All
Night With Me," was a minor hit before "Gloria" hit big. Laura received a Grammy
nomination for Best Pop Vocal Performance Female
("Gloria").
Laura hit the Top 40 with "Gloria."
Laura hit the Top 10 with "Gloria."
Laura hit #1 for a week with "Gloria."
 # 17
Singles Artist of the Year
Laura was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Vocal Performance - Female ("Gloria").
Laura released Branigan
2, and
had 2 more Top 10 hits with "Solitaire" (in May) and "How Am I Supposed To Live
Without You"
(hitting the Top 40 in August).
Laura could also be heard on the Flashdance soundtrack with
"Imagination."
Laura hit the Top 40 with "Solitaire."
Laura hit the Top 10 with "Solitaire."
Laura hit the Top 40 with "How Am I Suppose To Live
Without You."
Laura hit the Top 10 with "How Am I Suppose To Live
Without You."
 December 31: Laura topped the Billboard 1983 Year-End Chart
Toppers as the Top Pop Artist - Female.
 # 25
Singles Artist of the Year
Laura released Self
Control
and got as high as #2 with "Self Control." Laura also had hits with
"The Lucky One" and "Ti Amo."
Laura hit the Top 40 with "Self Control."
from the LP Self
Control
ARC chart run: 32
- 27 - 21
- 16 - 10
- 7 - 6
- 4 - 2
- 6 - 14
- 24 - 25
- 39 - off
available for download at iTunes and Amazon.mp3
Laura was nominated for an American Music Award for Favorite
Pop/Rock Female Video Artist.
Hold
Me was released with the Top 40 hit
"Spanish Eddie" and hits "I Found
Someone" and "Hold Me."
 Touch was released and the first
single "Shattered Glass" was a minor hit.
The second single "The Power Of Love"
returned Laura to the Top 20.
The release of Laura
Branigan
spawned a minor hit with "Moonlight On
Water."
 . Over
My Heart
was released..
Laura could be heard dueting with actor David
Hasselhoff on the Baywatch soundtrack with "I
Believe."
Laura release a greatest hits collection called The
Best Of Laura Branigan which Q magazine
hailed as "...a hugely appealing belter of a
voice... with distinctly epic and sometimes even
moving qualities..."
Laura's acting credits have included guest shots on
television's CHiPs and the films Mugsy's
Girl (1984) and Backstage (1988). Laura
also appeared on German television in An American
Girl In Berlin (1981).
Laura died of a brain aneurysm at the age of 52 on
August 26th. Laura died in her sleep and her family
reported she had been experiencing headaches for a
few weeks before her death, but did not seek medical
attention.
# 165 on the Top Pop Artists of the Past 25
Years
chart.
| Note: Song title and position
links lead you to the song's Top 40 chart run
(from the ARC Weekly Top 40) and LP links take you to Amazon.com for that LP (often
including track listings and sound samples). |
|
|
