'Gloria' Singer Laura Branigan Dies at 47

[gldstwmn]

By MADISON J. GRAY, Associated Press Writer

NEW YORK - Laura Branigan, a Grammy-nominated pop singer best known for her 1982 platinum hit "Gloria," has died. She was 47.

Branigan died of a brain anuerysm Thursday in her sleep at her home in East Quogue, said her brother Mark Branigan. He said she had complained to a friend of a headache for about two weeks before she died, but had not sought medical attention.

"Gloria," a signature song from her debut album "Branigan," stayed atop the pop charts for 36 weeks and earned her a Grammy nomination for best female pop vocalist, the first of four nominations in her career.

She also made television appearances, including guest spots on "CHiPs," and in the films "Mugsy's Girls" and "Backstage."

Branigan released seven albums after her debut "Branigan," including "Solitaire," "Self Control," and "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You," which was co-written with Michael Bolton (news). Her songs also appeared on soundtracks for the films "Flashdance" and "Ghostbusters."

Branigan was born July 3, 1957, and grew up in Brewster, N.Y. She attended the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Manhattan. During the late 1970s, she toured Europe as a backing vocalist for Canadian singer and songwriter Leonard Cohen. She signed as a solo artist with Atlantic Records in 1982.

After her run of success in the 1980s, her releases in the early 1990s attracted little attention. In 1994, she sang a duet with David Hasselhoff (news) called "I Believe" for the soundtrack of the television show "Baywatch." She released a 13-track "Best of Branigan" LP the next year.

After the death of her husband, Lawrence Kruteck, in 1996, Branigan stopped performing but returned to the stage in 2001. In 2002 she starred as Janis Joplin in the off-Broadway musical "Love, Janis," which earned her rave reviews.

Branigan recently had been working on material for a new release.

She is survived by her mother, two brothers and a sister. Funeral services were scheduled for Monday.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp.../obit_branigan

[Janet]

That's really sad.

I know some people who are huge fans of her and just met her recently. I can't believe that fast, she's gone.

Really really sad.

[Gypsy-Rhiannon]

This is sad. I remember her well from the 80's. I hadn't realised she sang a version of 'Cry Wolf'!


From her website

It was confirmed to OneStor earlier today from Joan Di Tursi Laura's previous manager that Laura had passed away in her sleep last night Thursday August 26th of a Brain aneurysm.

Our Hearts go out to Laura's family and friends who have asked that rather then sending flowers you donate on behalf of Laura to Project Angel Food.

Project Angel Food's mission is to provide wholesome meals and nutritional counseling to men, women and children disabled by HIV/AIDS. Laura's music has been passed on through the years and will live on not only in our hearts but for generations to come. Laura loved performing onstage, It is where she felt happiness singing to her fans, and we as fans felt such joy in watching this talented singer share with us her thoughts, for when she sang, Laura brought so many things to the stage besides her magnificent voice, She brought Humor, Joy, Honesty, Heart felt Compassion, and most of all Love. In the audience there were times when you would feel as if it was a concert for one. And you were that lucky audience member that got to enjoy Laura all to yourself.

Her deep love and warmth made you feel as if you were the most important person in the world. Her vocal talents were known by many, even some who did not even know her by name. When a song like Gloria or Self Control came on, many would sing with smiles and perhaps remember a shared moment that they may have had to that specific song.

Laura it was your voice that caressed so many of us, and you will truly be missed not only as a singer but also as a person who has brought such happiness with your songs of feeling.

Please Join OneStor and Fans of Laura on www.LauraBranigan.com in lighting a candle in remembrance of such a talented artist. Ceremonies will take place on Saturday August 28th, Sunday August 29th and Monday August 30th. Times will be at 9:00 pm EST.

[GODDESS6]

Originally Posted by gldstwmn

By MADISON J. GRAY, Associated Press Writer

NEW YORK - Laura Branigan, a Grammy-nominated pop singer best known for her 1982 platinum hit "Gloria," has died. She was 47.

Branigan died of a brain anuerysm Thursday in her sleep at her home in East Quogue, said her brother Mark Branigan. He said she had complained to a friend of a headache for about two weeks before she died, but had not sought medical attention.

"Gloria," a signature song from her debut album "Branigan," stayed atop the pop charts for 36 weeks and earned her a Grammy nomination for best female pop vocalist, the first of four nominations in her career.

She also made television appearances, including guest spots on "CHiPs," and in the films "Mugsy's Girls" and "Backstage."

Branigan released seven albums after her debut "Branigan," including "Solitaire," "Self Control," and "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You," which was co-written with Michael Bolton (news). Her songs also appeared on soundtracks for the films "Flashdance" and "Ghostbusters."

Branigan was born July 3, 1957, and grew up in Brewster, N.Y. She attended the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Manhattan. During the late 1970s, she toured Europe as a backing vocalist for Canadian singer and songwriter Leonard Cohen. She signed as a solo artist with Atlantic Records in 1982.

After her run of success in the 1980s, her releases in the early 1990s attracted little attention. In 1994, she sang a duet with David Hasselhoff (news) called "I Believe" for the soundtrack of the television show "Baywatch." She released a 13-track "Best of Branigan" LP the next year.

After the death of her husband, Lawrence Kruteck, in 1996, Branigan stopped performing but returned to the stage in 2001. In 2002 she starred as Janis Joplin in the off-Broadway musical "Love, Janis," which earned her rave reviews.

Branigan recently had been working on material for a new release.

She is survived by her mother, two brothers and a sister. Funeral services were scheduled for Monday.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp.../obit_branigan

thanx u 4 postimg this, yeah i loved "gloria" & me & hubby just saw a video of hers last week, can't remember the title, but now i'm blown away that she is gone!!!!~ she was kinda a 1 hit wonder but also had a following, i know i never 4got her~ this is so damn sad!!!~ rest in peace laura


"....all the voices in your head calling, gloria"

blessed be~
jill

[tommer]

oh no! i just saw it! that's so unfortunate!
i really liked her at the time, (excuse me, i'm an 80s kid!), i even bothered buying 2 cd's (to have something of her playable coz i won't play lp's). actually i browsed thru her website(s) not so long ago, and it was easy to see she was not in a very stable place (both emotionally and physically) and there's no record execs knocking on her door.
too bad, she was pretty cool at times as a pop artist, but could have been an amazing rocker.
i'm listening to Touch at the moment, and i must admit i'm pretty sad.

[ontheEdgeof17]

Wow....that's ashame she had to die so young. Makes you want to live each day to the fullest.


-Curt

[gldstwmn]

She had a hell of a voice. I'd forgotten about her doing Cry Wolf.
Yep Curtis, makes you think about living every day, doesn't it?

[sara1998]

I just downloaded this song the other day, after I figured out who sang it. She was so young. What a shame. Anuerysms scare the **** out of me.

Maria

[DeadliestPoison]

Yeah, I had no idea who she was and then I heard a 30-second clip of Gloria and remembered hearing it. So sad.

(I do like Stevie's "Cry Wolf" better, though. )