Singer Laura Branigan passes away at 47
Written by royalball on August 29, 2004 to Misc.
NEW YORK - 
Laura Branigan, a Grammy-nominated pop singer who recorded a Roxette cover but is best known for her 1982 platinum hit “Gloria,” has died. She was 47.
Branigan died of a brain anuerysm Thursday in her sleep said her brother Mark Branigan. He said she had complained to a friend of a headache for about two weeks before she died, but had not sought medical attention.
“Gloria,” a signature song from her debut album “Branigan,” stayed atop the pop charts for 36 weeks and earned her a Grammy nomination for best female pop vocalist, the first of four nominations in her career.
Laura was also known for her recording of Roxette’s “The Sweet Hello, The Sad Goodbye.” Her cover of the song appeared on her “Over My Heart” album released in 1993. It’s been said that Laura also wanted to record a cover of “Queen of Rain.”
After the death of her husband in 1996, Branigan stopped performing but returned to the stage in 2001. In 2002 she starred as Janis Joplin in the off-Broadway musical “Love, Janis,” which earned her rave reviews.
Funeral services are scheduled for Monday.
Other articles with the same topic
- Roxette interview from the rehearsals (February 18, 2011)
- Ask Per a great question (February 7, 2011)
- Rock Band 3 features Roxette (September 8, 2010)
- Dolph Lundgren mentions Per in UK interview (August 22, 2010)
- Record "The Look" and win $5,000 shopping spree (August 11, 2010)
26 comments
LittleSpooky said on August 29, 2004 20:01:
I’m still saddened by this. I saw it earlier this morning and the day hasn’t gone right since....
Oliver said on August 29, 2004 20:30:
I’m so sad about this. She sang a lot of beautiful songs in the 80’s/90’s (not only “Gloria” or “Self control”). I remember her as a part of my childhood, because since I was a kid I was interested in this sort of music. When I opened her website, I had tears on my eyes. May she rest in peace.
onlywhenidream said on August 29, 2004 22:06:
this is always so sad to read about people who die b4 their time. RIP
n-Somnia said on August 30, 2004 03:28:
This was so unexpected. :(
My best wishes to her family, friends, and other fans of her music.
AURYTE said on August 30, 2004 06:11:
I’m also sad. I think I couldn’t say better than in her website...
katroxx said on August 30, 2004 08:35:
Oh my goodness, that’s just come as a complete shock :( Thoughts to her friends, family and fans.
rox-kuryliw said on August 30, 2004 09:16:
Where can i hear her version of ’the sweet hello , sad goodbye’ id like to hear it ? LOve the song ’self control’ me.
regn said on August 30, 2004 13:05:
OMG- i’m not a big fan, but her early hits are part of my childhood , and I felT so happy when she record a version of TSHTSG so i can’t help but i feel really sad/weird idk strange feelings & i went to her site ... terrific the page have a tribute & a clip of a “new” sad song ... & her fans are brokenhearted
kroeby1 said on August 30, 2004 18:06:
can someone share “the sweet hello, the sad goodbye” by laura?
queen_of_pop said on August 30, 2004 18:10:
Ohhh, my God!!, i am really so sad for this new...
She was a great voice...
My heart is together to your fans and your family.
kingsbry said on August 30, 2004 18:41:
hi everyone, I’m a big fan of Laura’s and have a website for her. You can find the song The Sweet Hello The Sad Goodbye at my website, it is in the download section. She will be missed alot. My site is at http://kingsbry.tripod.com/laurabranigan.html
k
Roxlander said on August 30, 2004 21:55:
I’m so sad, I really liked her music. Rest in peace, I’m sure she’s in a better place now.
felicity-brown said on August 31, 2004 01:49:
:( My mum also had a brain aneurysm - she had a headache, collapsed and was rushed into hospital. She had surgery, but didn’t pull through. She died last year, aged just 50. RIP xx
harriej said on August 31, 2004 18:53:
I wish her family a lot of strength!
I only know “Self Control”, but that is a very beautiful song
brunorox said on August 31, 2004 19:04:
R I P ... I didn’t know she had sth to do with those songs ...
Loki said on September 7, 2004 12:30:
Really sad... I have heard only 3 or four songs by Laura, but that was enough to understand how talented she is. A really bright lady. Rest in peace, Laura...
gessle-adict said on August 29, 2004 17:59:
Poor she, I really like her version of “The sweet hello, the sad goodbye”. It´s a pity.