In the vein of fellow girl rocker Pat Benatar, Laura Branigan was one of synth rock's leading ladies in the 1980s thanks to the smash success of the single "Gloria." Although Branigan passed away in her sleep in 2004, she will forever remain archived between Quarterfish and Benatar in the pre-Riot Grrrl music movement.

Branigan was born in the upstate New York town of Brewster in 1957 but didn't think of pursuing a career in music until she starred in her high school musical and subsequently enrolled in the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in the mid-1970s. After touring the world as backup singer for Leonard Cohen, Branigan signed with Atlantic Records. Her solo debut was halted due to a breach-of-contract lawsuit, but the album (Branigan) eventually surfaced in 1982. The album's remake of an Italian pop song from the ‘70s, the Donna Summer-esque "Gloria," was an instant hit, peaking at number two in the U.S. and achieving cult status in Germany. "Gloria" also earned Branigan her first Grammy nod (she would garner four throughout her career) for Best Pop Vocal Performance for a Female.

In 1983 Branigan scored two more hits ("Solitaire" and "How Am I Supposed to Live without You") with Branigan 2 and appeared on the Flashdance soundtrack with "Imagination." The remainder of the ‘80s saw Branigan releasing a string of albums (1984's Self Control, 1985's Hold Me and 1987's Touch), each boasting hit singles such as "The Lucky One," "Spanish Eddie" "Shattered Glass" and more. The ‘90s didn't prove as successful for Branigan, who issued a few albums and a duet with Germany's favorite lifeguard for the Baywatch soundtrack "I Believe." Branigan continued with a greatest hits compilation and several acting jobs, culminating in her acclaimed performance as Janis Joplin in the 2002 N.Y.C. musical Love, Janis. Two years later Branigan suffered from a brain aneurysm and died in her sleep.