Trivia

After she died of a brain aneurysm in her sleep, brother Mark Branigan said she had complained of having a continual headache for about two weeks before she died, but had not sought medical attention.

Had a unique four-octave range voice.

Neither surviving brother came forward about her true age at the time of her death in 2004. All obituaries in 2004 listed her age as 47. However, further research later proved that she was actually 52 when she died.

She largely left the music industry in 1994 after husband Larry Kruteck was diagnosed with colon cancer. He died in 1996.

Known mostly for her smash hit songs like "Gloria", "Self-Control", "Solitaire", "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You?", "The Lucky One", "The Power of Love" and "Spanish Eddie". She also did international tours and unique music videos, which were filmed in Britain and other European countries.

In later years she continued to perform and record music, and dated the drummer in her band, Tommy Bayiokos. She spent most of her time, however, caring for her mother, Kathleen, 83, who had Alzheimer's, while gardening and cooking for friends.

Performed the last song on American Bandstand (1952) with Dick Clark - "Shattered Glass," in 1987.

Was originally announced as the singer of the theme for the Bond film, Octopussy (1983), by producer Albert R. Broccoli.

She broke both femurs when she fell 10 feet from a ladder while hanging wisteria outside her New York State home. (June 2001)

Had a brother, Billy Branigan, who's a singer, writer and producer. They worked together on Laura's "Over My Heart" album.

Her signature song "Gloria" was a translated version that was originally recorded by Umberto Tozzi. Branigan's version was recorded in 1982 and had a resurgence in 2019 when the St. Louis Blues used it as their victory song during their Stanley Cup championship season. Kathy Golik, Laura's legacy manager and owner of Other Half Entertainment, represented Laura and "Gloria" in St. Louis during the entirety of the Stanley Cup Final and the celebration of the Blues Stanley Cup win.

Atlantic Records signed her in 1979.

"She was a beautiful spirit and will never be forgotten," said her drummer Tommy Bayiokos.

Music video for her single "Spanish Eddie" was a re-telling of West Side Story (1961).

She recorded her first album when she joined the group Meadow at age 20. The album, "The Friendship," was released in 1973 on Paramount Records following the release of two singles in 1972, "Here I Am" and "Cane and Abel". The record label failed to adequately promote the album and it received little airplay. Not long afterwards Meadow disbanded.

She also performed the ballad "Sin Hablar", along with Mexican singer Luis Miguel.

Laura Branigan's last show was in Boston on 7/16/04 at the Italia Unita Festival.

Laura Branigan's career legacy is overseen by Other Half Entertainment, The Laura Branigan Management And Production Company - Legacy Manager, Kathy Golik.

Alumna of the AADA (American Academy of Dramatic Arts), Class of 1972.