Laura Branigan

Biography

Laura Ann Kruteck (née Branigan; July 3, 1952 – August 26, 2004) was an American singer. Her signature song, the platinum-certified 1982 cover of Umberto Tozzi's single "Gloria×Gloria1982 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracksAGloria3:49BLiving a Lie3:39", stayed on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 for 36 weeks, then a record for a female artist, peaking at No. 2. It also reached number one in Australia and Canada. In 1984, she reached number one in Canada and Germany and No. 4 in the U.S. with "Self Control×Self Control1 April 1984 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracksA1The Lucky One4:10A2Self Control4:08A3Ti Amo4:18A4Heart4:08A5Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow3:26B1Satisfaction3:56B2Silent Partners4:10B3Breaking Out3:50B4Take Me3:43B5With Every Beat of My Heart4:12". "Gloria" and "Self Control" were also successful in the United Kingdom, each hitting the top 10 on the UK singles chart.
Her career peaked in the 1980s, with other hits including the top 10 "Solitaire×Solitaire1983 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracksASolitaire4:07BI’m Not the Only One3:22" (1983), the U.S. Adult Contemporary chart number one "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You×How Am I Supposed to Live Without You1983 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracksAHow Am I Supposed to Live Without You4:26BMama3:57" (1983), the Australian No. 2 "Ti amo×Ti Amo1984 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracksATi Amo4:18BSatisfaction3:56" (1984) (another Tozzi cover), her return to the top 40 with "The Power of Love" (1987), and "Shattered Glass×Shattered Glass1987 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracksAShattered Glass (12" vocal mix)7:14B1Shattered Glass (LP vocal version)3:41B2Statue in the Rain (vocal)4:17" (1987), which reached the top 15 of the U.S. dance chart. Her most successful studio album was 1984's platinum Self Control. She also contributed songs to motion picture and television soundtracks, including the Grammy and Academy Award–winning Flashdance soundtrack (1983), the Ghostbusters soundtrack (1984), and Miami Vice (1984). In 1984, she won the Tokyo Music Festival with the song "The Lucky One×The Lucky OneAugust 1984 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracksAThe Lucky One3:10BBreaking Out3:50".
Her chart success waned as the decade closed, and after her last two albums Laura Branigan×Branigan1982 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 9 tracks1All Night With Me3:542Gloria4:533Lovin’ You Baby4:324Living a Lie3:435If You Loved Me3:176Please Stay, Go Away3:367I Wish We Could Be Alone3:208Down Like a Rock3:369Maybe I Love You3:30 (1990) and Over My Heart×Over My Heart17 August 1993 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1How Can I Help You to Say Goodbye4:302The Sweet Hello, the Sad Goodbye5:073Over My Heart4:254It’s Been Hard Enough Getting Over You3:415Is There Anybody Here but Me4:526Love Your Girl4:347Didn’t We Almost Win It All5:098Only Time Will Tell4:269I’ll Wait for You4:4110Mujer Contra Mujer5:0711Over You5:2112Mangwane (The Wedding Song)4:02 (1993) garnered little attention, she generally retired from public life for the rest of the 1990s. She returned to performing in the early 2000s, notably appearing as Janis Joplin in the off-Broadway musical Love, Janis. She was recording new music and preparing a comeback to the music industry.
Branigan and her music saw renewed popularity and public interest when "Gloria" was adopted by the NHL's St. Louis Blues as their unofficial victory song as the team won its first Stanley Cup in franchise history in 2019.

1952–1970: Early life

Laura Ann Branigan was born July 3, 1952, in Mount Kisco, New York, the fourth of five children born to Irish American parents Kathleen (née O'Hare) and James Branigan Sr., an account executive and mutual funds broker; they later separated. Her younger brother William "Billy" Branigan, also a musician, played guitar in Branigan's backing band early in her career and contributed to her 1993 album Over My Heart×Over My Heart17 August 1993 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1How Can I Help You to Say Goodbye4:302The Sweet Hello, the Sad Goodbye5:073Over My Heart4:254It’s Been Hard Enough Getting Over You3:415Is There Anybody Here but Me4:526Love Your Girl4:347Didn’t We Almost Win It All5:098Only Time Will Tell4:269I’ll Wait for You4:4110Mujer Contra Mujer5:0711Over You5:2112Mangwane (The Wedding Song)4:02 as co-producer, arranger, guitarist, bassist, and backing vocalist, in addition to co-writing the track "Over You" with his sister. He died of a heart attack in 2022, aged 65.
Branigan was raised in Armonk, New York, and attended Catholic school in nearby Chappaqua. She attended Byram Hills High School, graduating in 1970.

1971–1980: Career beginnings

In 1972, Branigan formed the folk-rock band Meadow. A year later, the group released their debut album The Friend Ship. After Meadow disbanded, Branigan was one of Leonard Cohen's backup singers for his European tour in 1976. In 1979, Branigan was signed by Ahmet Ertegun to Atlantic Records.

1981–1990: Mainstream success

Branigan×Branigan1982 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 9 tracks1All Night With Me3:542Gloria4:533Lovin’ You Baby4:324Living a Lie3:435If You Loved Me3:176Please Stay, Go Away3:367I Wish We Could Be Alone3:208Down Like a Rock3:369Maybe I Love You3:30's nine-track debut album, Branigan, came out in 1982. The first single, "All Night with Me×All Night With Me1982 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracksAAll Night With Me3:54BI Wish We Could Be Alone3:20", reached No. 69 on the Billboard charts. "Gloria×Gloria1982 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracksAGloria3:49BLiving a Lie3:39", recorded in 1979 by Umberto Tozzi and a hit in Europe, was the second single. Pop radio was initially unreceptive, but it eventually became one of the biggest hits of the 1980s. The album sold gold, and the single sold platinum (sales of more than one million U.S. copies). Branigan was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance alongside Linda Ronstadt, Olivia Newton-John, Juice Newton, and that year's winner, Melissa Manchester.
Branigan 2 was released in 1983, with her English-language version of "Solitaire×Solitaire1983 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracksASolitaire4:07BI’m Not the Only One3:22", originally written and recorded by Martine Clemenceau, hitting the US top 10. The English translation of "Solitaire" was the first major hit for Diane Warren, and "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You×How Am I Supposed to Live Without You1983 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracksAHow Am I Supposed to Live Without You4:26BMama3:57" was the first major hit for its co-writer, Michael Bolton.
Having acted on West German television before her singing career took off, Branigan took roles on CHiPs, Automan, and Knight Rider at the height of her career. She later appeared in films, including Mugsy's Girls (1985) and Backstage. She sang on national television and radio campaigns for Dr Pepper, Coca-Cola, and Chrysler, which sponsored her 1985–86 tour.
In 1984, "Self Control×Self Control1 April 1984 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracksA1The Lucky One4:10A2Self Control4:08A3Ti Amo4:18A4Heart4:08A5Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow3:26B1Satisfaction3:56B2Silent Partners4:10B3Breaking Out3:50B4Take Me3:43B5With Every Beat of My Heart4:12", the title track of Branigan's third album, peaked at No. 4 in the US and became her biggest hit internationally. Other hits from Self Control include "The Lucky One×The Lucky OneAugust 1984 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracksAThe Lucky One3:10BBreaking Out3:50" (which won her a Tokyo Music Festival prize), "Ti Amo×Ti Amo1984 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracksATi Amo4:18BSatisfaction3:56", which was another Umberto Tozzi cover, and "Satisfaction×SatisfactionNovember 1984 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracksASatisfaction (special dance mix)5:56BIf You Loved Me3:15".
Branigan's live show was recorded twice in 1984, for a nationally syndicated radio special, and for a concert video. Branigan was nominated at the American Music Awards of 1985 for favorite pop/rock female video artist (won by Cyndi Lauper). In 1985, Branigan performed the main theme for the mini-series Hollywood Wives, based on the Jackie Collins novel.
By the time of Branigan's fourth album, Hold Me×Hold MeJuly 1985 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1Hold Me4:472Maybe Tonight3:413Foolish Lullaby4:204Spanish Eddie4:105Forever Young3:586When I'm With You4:157I Found Someone4:028Sanctuary3:339Tenderness3:4710When the Heat Hits the Streets3:43, in 1985, "Self Control" was a worldwide success. The hits continued with "Spanish Eddie×Spanish Eddie1985 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1Spanish Eddie4:062Tenderness3:42", her sixth U.S. Billboard top 40 hit. The title track "Hold Me" was a dance hit, and Branigan's introduction of "I Found Someone×I Found Someone1986 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracksAI Found Someone4:00B1When2:43B2When the Heat Hits the Streets3:43" (co-written with Michael Bolton, and later covered by Cher) scored on the adult contemporary chart. Branigan made her fourth appearance on American Bandstand to perform "Spanish Eddie" and "Hold Me".

Branigan was the final guest on American Bandstand during that show's run on ABC, performing "Shattered Glass×Shattered Glass1987 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracksAShattered Glass (12" vocal mix)7:14B1Shattered Glass (LP vocal version)3:41B2Statue in the Rain (vocal)4:17" in 1987. Her album Touch×Touch25 August 1987 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Over Love3:502Shadow of Love5:053Angels Calling3:484Meaning of the Word5:425Power of Love5:266Shattered Glass3:417Whatever I Do4:028Spirit of Love4:119Name Game4:5010Touch4:0711Cry Wolf4:5012Statue in the Rain4:17 brought her back to the Billboard top 40 with her cover of Jennifer Rush's "Power of Love×Power of Love1987 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracksAPower of Love4:44BSpirit of Love3:35".
Her album Laura Branigan (1990) featured the last of her hit singles, "Never in a Million Years×Never in a Million Years1990 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1Never in a Million Years4:082Smoke Screen4:06". The closing track, a cover of Bryan Adams' "The Best Was Yet to Come", was produced and arranged by Branigan. Her tour kicked off with an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in 1990, followed by a concert at the Trump Regency Showroom in Atlantic City, New Jersey on July 14, and filmed for a syndicated U.S. television show SRO in Concert, released on home video.

1991–2000: Later career and hiatus

Branigan×Branigan1982 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 9 tracks1All Night With Me3:542Gloria4:533Lovin’ You Baby4:324Living a Lie3:435If You Loved Me3:176Please Stay, Go Away3:367I Wish We Could Be Alone3:208Down Like a Rock3:369Maybe I Love You3:30's seventh and final studio album, Over My Heart×Over My Heart17 August 1993 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1How Can I Help You to Say Goodbye4:302The Sweet Hello, the Sad Goodbye5:073Over My Heart4:254It’s Been Hard Enough Getting Over You3:415Is There Anybody Here but Me4:526Love Your Girl4:347Didn’t We Almost Win It All5:098Only Time Will Tell4:269I’ll Wait for You4:4110Mujer Contra Mujer5:0711Over You5:2112Mangwane (The Wedding Song)4:02, came out in 1993. Branigan had greatest hits collections released in South America, Japan, Germany, South Africa, and the U.S. In 1994, Larry Kruteck, Branigan's husband (m. 1978), was diagnosed with cancer. Branigan nursed him full-time until his death in 1996.

2001–2004: Return to music

In early 2001, Branigan×Branigan1982 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 9 tracks1All Night With Me3:542Gloria4:533Lovin’ You Baby4:324Living a Lie3:435If You Loved Me3:176Please Stay, Go Away3:367I Wish We Could Be Alone3:208Down Like a Rock3:369Maybe I Love You3:30's return to the stage was postponed when she broke both of her femurs in a fall from a ladder outside her home in New York. In 2002, she performed twice as Janis Joplin in Love, Janis, before dropping out of the role. "I left Janis because the producers failed to file with Equity properly," she told the Sunday News. "I was sort of relieved. My voice isn't anything like Janis Joplin's, and there were 19 of her songs in the show."

Personal life

Branigan married Lawrence Kruteck in 1978. He was diagnosed with colon cancer in the mid-1990s, and Laura cut back on her entertainment career to take care of him. He died in 1996. She went on to date the drummer in her band, actor/musician Tommy Bayiokos.

Death

Branigan died in her sleep at her lodge in East Quogue, New York, on August 26, 2004, aged 52. The cause was an undiagnosed cerebral aneurysm. It was reported that she had experienced headaches for several weeks before her death, but did not seek medical attention. Branigan was cremated, and her ashes were scattered over Long Island Sound.
At the time of Branigan×Branigan1982 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 9 tracks1All Night With Me3:542Gloria4:533Lovin’ You Baby4:324Living a Lie3:435If You Loved Me3:176Please Stay, Go Away3:367I Wish We Could Be Alone3:208Down Like a Rock3:369Maybe I Love You3:30's death, it was reported that she was 47 years old. The Associated Press issued a correction in 2016.

Legacy

At Byram Hills High School in Armonk, New York, the Laura Branigan Memorial Scholarship is given annually to a senior for excellence in the performing arts.

"Play Gloria" association with St. Louis Blues

The St. Louis Blues NHL team began using Branigan×Branigan1982 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 9 tracks1All Night With Me3:542Gloria4:533Lovin’ You Baby4:324Living a Lie3:435If You Loved Me3:176Please Stay, Go Away3:367I Wish We Could Be Alone3:208Down Like a Rock3:369Maybe I Love You3:30's version of "Gloria×Gloria1982 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracksAGloria3:49BLiving a Lie3:39" as its unofficial victory song when they went on a franchise-record 11-game winning streak during the 2018–19 season. The team advanced to the 2019 Stanley Cup Final and defeated the Boston Bruins. The bands Phish and Vampire Weekend, both holding concerts in St. Louis the night of Game 7, performed "Gloria" when the Blues won the Cup. The dramatic turnaround in the Blues' fortunes led to "Gloria" being embraced as their new victory anthem, with the song played every time the Blues win a home game. "Gloria" re-entered the Billboard charts and reached No. 3 on the iTunes singles chart.
Branigan's other hits saw significant upticks in streams and downloads, and her management received numerous requests for live performances, necessitating a statement reminding the public that Branigan is deceased. Terming "Gloria" an "unlikely championship anthem", Forbes noted that the Blues' Stanley Cup victory could permanently alter the meaning and legacy of the song, with it forever associated with the St. Louis Blues and hockey in general.