Dr Kelly Fleming

Yes, I’m Deaf but that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy music! 😂

The first time I discovered there was a radio in the car and what it did, the song Gloria was playing, sung by Laura Branigan. My Mum was so excited that I had discovered what a radio was (so to speak) she turned the sound up as high as it would go. The car was shaking and vibrating and I fell in love with Laura Branigan and her music.

I never learnt the words to her songs until the internet when I was able to look them up.

Over time, I’ve discovered many of her songs from her early days and others that were never officially released.

I cannot highlight a specific album of hers that is my absolute favourite.

Her voice was amazing. Her vocal range was out of this world.

Laura Branigan never received the fame that she deserved. She put her family first, taking time off from touring to care for her mother when she was recovering from surgery and then semi-retired to care for her dying husband.

Laura Branigan was called “The Voice” in the United States and toured the world before her semi-retirement.

When she was ready to come back to her music, she had a terrible fall when the ladder broke beneath her whilst hanging wisteria from her second floor . She broke both her femur bones which required surgery and rehab. They were uncertain she’d walk again, let alone perform.

After her recovery she was recording her newest album under her own label and sadly she was not able to complete it as she passed away August 26th, 2004 from a brain aneurysm at the young age of 52.

In my opinion she had one of the greatest voices and was unfortunately never recognized to the degree she should have been by the public.

Since she passed away, the number of people exposed to her voice via YouTube has exploded.

Some of my favourite songs she sang were :

Gloria

The Lucky One

Ashes in the Wind

Don’t cry for me Argentina

If I Were

Don’t Walk Away

The Sweet Hello, The Sad Goodbye

Room With A View

Self Control