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LAURA
BRANIGAN
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PERSONAL
Laura Branigan was born on the 3rd of July 1957 in Brewster, NY. She spent her childhood in Brewster, which is in upstate New York near the Connecticut border, some 70 miles North North East of New York City. AS A RECORDING ARTIST This American pop singer came to fame in 1982 with the single "Gloria". The Italian song had originally been a hit in continental Europe in the late seventies, but had been ignored in the UK and US, save for a minor British hit version by the irrepressible Johathan King. When Branigan recorded it in '82 (with a different English lyric from the King version), it was a sleep smash, eventually climbing to No. 2 in the States. Her powerful voice breathed new life into this catchy song, sung in a Donna Summer vein. It was also Branigan's first UK hit, peaking at No. 6 in early '83. Its follow-up "Solitaire" was annother Top Tenner in America, though not a major British success. In 1984 she recorded another Italian song and scored another international smash, "Self Control" reached No. 4 in the US, was a huge hit, in complex structure but will still with a broad pop appeal. The most extraordinary example of it's success was in (the then) West Germany, where the Branigan version went to No. 1 while the original italian disc by co-writer Raffaele Riefoli was simultaneously at No. 2 Raff's original had the disadvantage of lacking the Branigan vocal performance, which was once again power-packed. The next single "The Lucky One" was a Top 20 hit in the States. Her LPs are patchy in their choice of material, but her voice is good enough to ensure that, when she has the right song, Branigan will sell many singles. Written by Bob MacDonald in 1984. The 1986 edition of Music Master Laura Branigan burst upon the popular-music scene in 1982 with her hit single "Gloria." Though "Gloria," from the album Branigan, took months to climb to the upper regions of the pop charts, its rise was steady. The song began to gain popularity in the dance clubs. Branigan toured in her efforts to promote it, and ended up in the words of a Harper's Bazaar critic, "the year's summer beach anthem." Branigan received a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Vocal Performance, and has since confirmed her star status with hits like "Solitaire," "Self-Control," and "Shattered Glass." Branigan grew up in Brewster, New york, a suburb of New york City. Though singing seemed to run her family-her grandmother had studied opera in Ireland, and both her parents had good voices and led the family in singing at the dinner table-Branigan had no ambitions to pursue a vocalist's career in her youth. In high school she was extremely shy, she did, however, enjoy singing harmony with friends and performing in her church choir. To help Branigan overcome her shyness, one of her teachers persuaded her to try out for the school musical in her senior year. Branigan did, won the lead in Pajama Game, and discovered her calling. She reminisced from a Seventeen interviewer: "It was amazing. Once I was up there, I felt a tremendous confidence. I realized this was my way of expressing myself-and that was it." After graduating from high school in 1975, Branigan enrolled at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City to prepare for her new vocation. At first she commuted from her parent's home, but then she moved to Manhattan and worked as a waitress to pay her rent and tuition. Branigan found in waitressing a form of preparation for performing that wasn't available in her classes. "In dealing with people all the time," she told Seventeen, "I learned how to make them comfortable and that helped me a lot to overcome my shyness. And I learned how to ignore hecklers." Meanwhile, Branigan was also trying to break into the music business. After landing a job as a backup singer for Canadian folk artist Leonard Cohen and touring Europe with him, she decided to become a soloist. Knowing that her chances would be better if she had a good manager, she sought one. Sid Bernstein, who had managed talents such as the Rascals and the Bay City Rollers and had promoted the Beatles' first U.S. appearance, listened to Branigan singing in 1977 and agreed to help her become a star. According to Sarah Crichton in Harper's, Bernstein started Branigan slowly, first featuring her in concerts held in his office for his friends, and gradually inviting record producers to these informal gatherings. At first this tactic was unsuccessful. Branigan recalled in Seventeen: "Everyone said, "Well, you don't really sound like anyone else. That meant that (1) really didn't fit in." Finally, in 1979, Branigan auditioned for Ahmet Ertegun, the chairman of Atlantic Records, and he signed her. An initial album session produced mixed results--Atlantic was unsure what style best suited their new talent. Eventually the company hired Jack White, a German producer famous for his efforts in what Crichton labels the "Euro-pop approach." White selected the songs for what would become Branigan's debut album including "Gloria," which had been a hit in Italy a few years previous. Before the single was released. White introduced Branigan to manager Susan Joseph. After talking to her, the singer became convinced that Joseph could represent her interest much better than Bernstein. Branigan switched managers, but while she did indeed become a star under Joseph's guidance, she also became the object of a $15 million breach-of-contract lawsuit by Bernstein. Despite this controversy, what Seventeen designated as Branigan's "smoky vibrato" voice stuck a chord with pop audiences. The success of "Gloria" was followed in 1983 by another European-style hit, "Solitaire," originally done by another artist in France, and in 1984 Branigan had a smash with the title track frm her third album, Self-Control. Though she has made her reputation by belting out danceable numbers. Branigan has also had success with ballads such as 1987's "Power of Love." She had modeled herself most after French torch singer EdithPiaf and revealed her goal as a singer to Harper's Bazaar: "I want to touch people's hearts, to get right down to their souls." Contemporary Musicians December 1989 , Volume 2 by Elizabeth Thomas OTHER ACTIVITIES In addition to her singing career, Laura Branigan has appeared in two movies. Backstage (1988) Mugsy's Girls (1985) AWARDS "Gloria" nominated for Grammy in category Best Pop Vocal Performance of the Year.c. 1982 NITESKY'S THOUGHTS I have been a Laura Branigan fan since May of 1982........I have seen her in concert three times and she gives one fantastic performance......Her voice is so deep and dynamic........I have stayed a loyal fan of hers since day one and continue to stay loyal to her even when her albumns don't make it.......Its a real shame that she does not receive the credit due her for her powerful voice and songs, especially her ballads......She is one amazing singer whom through her music has helped me through many trials in my life.......Her songs give meaning and depth deep in the heart......~Nitesky~ |
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