Laura Branigan: The Powerhouse Voice of 80s Pop

Laura Branigan was an American pop and dance-rock singer whose soaring vocals defined an era of dramatic, synth-driven anthems. Hailing from Brewster, New York, she achieved global fame in the 1980s, most notably with her multi-platinum smash Gloria, which spent 36 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100.

Early career

Born in 1952, Laura Branigan initially pursued acting before focusing on music, performing in off-Broadway productions and singing backup for artists like Leonard Cohen. Her professional music career began in earnest when she signed with Atlantic Records in 1979, releasing her self-titled debut album in 1982, which introduced her powerful voice to a wider audience.

Breakthrough

Branigan's true breakthrough came in 1982 with her second album, Branigan 2, and its lead single. The album was certified platinum in the United States, propelled by a song that would become her signature hit and a cultural touchstone of the decade.

Key tracks

Gloria — This cover of an Italian pop song became a #2 US hit, earned a Grammy nomination, and is her most enduring and recognized work.

Self Control — The title track from her 1984 album was a global dance-floor phenomenon, reaching #4 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Solitaire — This dramatic ballad showcased her vocal range and became a top ten hit on the US Adult Contemporary chart in 1983.

How Am I Supposed to Live Without You — Co-written by a young Michael Bolton, this power ballad was a major hit for Branigan years before Bolton's own version.

The Power of Love — Her 1987 single, a different song from the Jennifer Rush hit, demonstrated her continued relevance on pop and dance charts.

Throughout the mid-1980s, Laura Branigan remained a consistent chart presence with albums like Self Control (1984) and Hold Me (1985). She also contributed to major film soundtracks, including the title song for the blockbuster Flashdance and "Imagination" from the film Ghostbusters.

Her later work included the 1990 album Laura Branigan and a 1993 greatest hits compilation. After a hiatus, she was preparing for a musical comeback before her tragic death from a brain aneurysm in 2004 at age 52, leaving behind a legacy of unforgettable pop performances.

Fans of Laura Branigan's brand of emotive, high-energy pop may also enjoy the music of Cyndi Lauper, another iconic 80s vocalist known for vibrant hits. Pat Benatar shares a similar blend of rock power and pop sensibility from the same era. The dramatic synth-pop of Bonnie Tyler offers a comparable style of passionate vocal delivery. For a later artist influenced by this sound, explore Celine Dion, who carries on the tradition of powerhouse pop ballads.

Laura Branigan's catalog remains a staple on classic hits and 80s-focused FM stations, as well as online radio streams dedicated to retro pop and dance music. Her anthems are regularly featured in rotation, ensuring new generations discover her iconic voice.

Listeners can explore the powerful pop legacy of Laura Branigan by tuning into the many radio stations available on onairium.com, where her timeless hits continue to resonate across the airwaves.