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Laura's Biography
“When you're on stage, the audience becomes your other half. It's the ultimate high you can reach as a musician -- an incredible feeling. And no matter where I am it's the same; there's a reason we call music the universal language.”
- Laura Branigan |
Laura Branigan,
singer, songwriter, and actress, was born on July 3, 1957 in the upstate
New York town of Brewster and raised in nearby Armonk, New York. It
wasn’t till
her senior year in high school, where she performed the lead role in
a school musical, that she began to consider an entertainment career.
After graduation from high school, Laura moved to Manhattan and attended
The American Academy of Dramatic Arts. In the late 70’s, she toured
Europe as a backing vocalist for Leonard Cohen. Upon Laura’s return
to New York, it became clear to her that she wanted to pursue a career
as a solo artist. Laura’s powerful talent as well as her drive
and determination led to her being signed by Atlantic Records founder,
Ahmet Ertegun. |
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Laura’s
first major appearance on the pop scene was with the anthem “Gloria”
in 1982, which has become the signature song of her career. The track
came from Laura’s debut album, Branigan.
“Gloria” was a multi-platinum hit single, rising to the top of
the Billboard charts and staying on the charts for an amazing thirty-six
weeks. Laura received a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Vocalist Female
for the song. |
In 1983, Laura released
Branigan 2 and had two more top ten hits
with “Solitaire” and “How Am I Supposed To Live Without
You”,
confirming her status as a major artist, with the latter track reaching
the #1 position on the adult Contemporary charts. That same year, Laura
could also be heard on the Flashdance soundtrack
with “Imagination”.
Her musical involvement with the film led her to receive her second
Grammy nomination.
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In 1984, the album Self Control was released
with the title track, "Self Control" reaching the top ten. "Self Control" became Laura's biggest international hit single. Another
single from the album, "The Lucky One" went top 40. Laura also
won the coveted Grand Prize at the 13th Tokyo Music Festival for her riveting
performance of “The Lucky One.”
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Laura’s
album Hold Me was released in 1985 and included
the top 40 hit “Spanish Eddie”. In 1987 Touch
was released. With this album, Laura became more personally involved with the recording process. The ballad, "The Power of Love”, returned
Laura to the top 40. Throughout the 80’s, Laura’s songs also
appeared on the Ghostbusters, Body
Rock, Coming To America, and Salsa
soundtracks. |
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Laura released Laura Branigan in 1990. With this album, Laura added producing to her repetoire with her cover of the disco-era "Turn The Beat Around." Laura's seventh album, Over My Heart, was released in 1993. This recording was by far her most personally reflective to date. In 1995,
a US greatest hits collection called The Best of Branigan was released. This hits compilation included two new cover tracks, "Show Me Heaven" and "Dim All The Lights." There have been several international greatest hits compilations
released also. Laura performed for audiences in
the United States, Canada, Europe, South America, Asia, and Africa, touring
the world several times.
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During her career, Laura appeared frequently on several of the most
popular television shows of the day, including "The Merv Griffin Show," American Bandstand," The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson," and "Solid
Gold."
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Laura’s acting credits included television’s "CHiPs" and "AutoMan", among others,
and the films "Mugsy’s Girls" and "Backstage". |
In the mid 90's Laura took a break from her career and devoted her time to caring for her husband, who was diagnosed with cancer, until his death. During
the late 90’s while Laura was dealing with the loss of her husband, she performed only
the occasional concert. In early 2001 she made her return to the studio.
2002 saw the release of "The Essentials", a digitally remastered
hits compilation. During 2002, Laura also performed the role of the
singing Janis Joplin in the hit New York City musical "Love, Janis." |
Click the picture to see a larger view |
2004 saw the release of "Self
Control 2004" and "Gloria 2004", collections of remixes
of the original Branigan classics produced by some of Europe's top
remixers,
which feature stunning, newly-recorded vocals by Laura. Laura was currently
at work performing concerts at various venues, as well as continuing
to
record her album of new material, and it was with great expectation
and anticipation that fans everywhere were awaiting its release. Laura
was back
touching audiences once again with the unique four-octave range voice,
consuming passion, and undeniable power that was pure Branigan! Sadly,
Laura passed away suddenly on August 26, 2004 from a brain aneurysm.
At the time of her passing, Laura was working on the production of
an EP, a manuscript for a cookbook she was in the process of writing,
and the opening of her official online store. Laura Branigan lives
on through her music and through the wonderful memories of her family,
friends, and fans worldwide.
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Laura affectionately referred to her fans many times as her "other
half." On the first anniversary of Laura's passing in 2005, Laura's "other
half" gathered together for the first Laura Branigan "Spirit
Of Love" Memorial Gathering, sponsored by Other Half Entertainment
and LauraBraniganOnline.com. This weekend event was held near the Long
Island, New York home where Laura last resided while caring for her mother.
The memorial gathering was a very special time of coming together to
remember Laura and to celebrate her life and artistry. Fans look
forward to future annual "Spirit of Love" Memorial
Gatherings.
Laura Branigan was a unique singer and an equally unique
person that will never be forgotten for her contributions to the music
world and to humanity. Her legacy lives on.
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“I first
heard Laura Branigan sing live in my brother Nesuhi’s apartment,
where we had gone because he had a very good piano. I immediately realized
that she had a great pop voice, in the classical sense. Laura had an instinctive
feel for music and melody, and her delivery was sensational. Everybody
at Atlantic knew that we had a winner in this young lady, and she came
through with great hits that will be remembered for many years to come.
I consider Laura to be one of my best signings, and I am proud to have
had such a great singer in my career in the record business. We miss her
dearly.”
- Ahmet Ertegun, 2005
Founding Chairman, Atlantic Records
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Official Laura
Branigan Biography. Written by Kathy Golik. Original content
authorized by Laura Branigan. Copyright © 2004-2005, Other Half
Entertainment. Ahmet Ertegun quote provided exclusively to Other Half Entertainment, 2005. Unauthorized duplication prohibited by law. See Terms
of Use for reprint
requests.
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