Laura Branigan

Laura Branigan (July 3, 1957-August 26, 2004 in East Quogue, New York) was a popular American singer/actress from Westchester County, New York, best known in the U.S. for the song "Gloria" (1982). She received the first of four G

Laura Branigan (July 3, 1957-August 26, 2004 in East Quogue, New York) was a popular American singer/actress from Westchester County, New York, best known in the U.S. for the song "Gloria" (1982). She received the first of four Grammy Award nominations for the song. Branigan introduced the ballad "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You" (1983), making the song a standard, recorded by dozens of artists throughout the world in the years since. "Self Control" (1984) was her biggest-selling album, and the title track became an international Number One hit. Her other hits included "Solitaire," "The Lucky One" and "The Power of Love." She was of Irish and Italian ancestry.

Branigan studied at the Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City and worked as a waitress while in school. She eventually got a job singing back-up vocals for Leonard Cohen, touring throughout Europe. In 1979 she was signed by Ahmet Ertegun to Atlantic Records, but the label was at first unsure how to categorize Branigan, given the singer's strong dramatic voice with a four octave range.