Laura Branigan

Laura Ann Branigan (July 3, 1952 – August 26, 2004) was an American singer, songwriter and actress. She is best remembered for her 1982 Platinum-certified hit "Gloria" and for the Top Ten single "Self Control". Branigan is also remembered for the Top 10 "Solitaire" and for the number-one Adult Contemporary hit "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You", as well as several other US Top 40 hits. Branigan also contributed songs to notable motion picture and television soundtracks, including the Grammy and Academy Award-winning Flashdance soundtrack (1983), the Ghostbusters soundtrack (1984), and the Baywatch soundtrack (1994), as well as having songs featured in the popular Grand Theft Auto video game series. Her signature song "Gloria" stayed on the Billboard Hot 100 for 36 weeks, at the time a record for a female artist. The song holds a place in the top 100 singles of both 1982 and 1983. She was known for her strong, husky alto voice which spanned four octaves. Branigan died at her home in East Quogue, New York, on August 26, 2004, of a previously undiagnosed cerebral aneurysm. She was 52 years old.