Laura Branigan
March 17, 2022 ·
On behalf of Other Half Entertainment, it is with deep regret and great sadness that we announce that William "Billy" Branigan, Laura's younger brother, of Massachusetts passed away on March 10 at the age of 65. Billy passed suddenly and unexpectedly from a heart attack. Per Billy's wishes there was no service. He is survived by his loving wife, Diane, and brother Mark Branigan and sister Susan Branigan.
In respecting the wishes of Billy's wife to grieve her husband's loss privately, I spoke with Michelle Clarke, Diane's best friend, who confirmed these details. She also gave me permission to share a few things with all of you. Michelle related to me that Billy and Diane had a great relationship and complemented each other really well. When Michelle was notified about Billy, she went right over to Billy and Diane's home to be there for Diane. When Michelle was driving home later that night, she told me that the very first song she heard on a local radio station was Laura's "Gloria". Michelle took that as a sign that Billy was telling her that it's alright, I'm here with my sister, I'm okay. She then told me that Billy loved Laura so much. Michelle went on to describe Billy as being "so sweet and kind," a guy who "always complimented people." She also remarked about how modest Billy was - not one to brag. Although Billy was not involved in the music business in his later years, Michelle said he still had such a great love for music. It was interesting to learn that Billy liked to keep himself busy, that he was a real "doer", who loved to work with his hands, especially around his house. I smiled when she told me that Billy enjoyed gardening too, as that's something Laura enjoyed greatly as well. I asked Michelle to pass along our deepest condolences, thoughts, prayers, and support to Billy's wife, Diane, on behalf of Other Half Entertainment and all of Laura's fans, and she was gracious to do so. From the bottom of our hearts, Michelle, thank you so much. We have also expressed the same sentiments to the Branigan family during their time of loss.
As many of you know, in his earlier days, Billy was a musician in his own right, a singer-songwriter who released a solo album in 1986 called "Make a Move" on the Polygram label and he also joined several bands throughout the years as a vocalist and guitar player. Laura and Billy sang and played music together from an early age growing up. Early in Laura's career with Atlantic Records after the success of "Gloria," Billy toured with Laura as her guitar player. Years later, Billy was one of the co-producers of Laura's seventh studio album OVER MY HEART (1993), contributing his skills as an arranger and as a musician on bass guitar, acoustic guitar, and backing vocals. Billy and Laura co-wrote the song "Over You" for OVER MY HEART and Billy's vocals can be heard on another track from the album, the single "Didn't We Almost Win It All". Billy also appears in the official music video for the song, which I have included here in tribute to Laura and Billy.
Please keep Billy's wife, his family, and his friends in your thoughts and prayers in the days to come as they continue to mourn his loss. May he rest in peace.
Kathy Golik
Legacy Manager
Other Half Entertainment
March 17, 2022 ·
On behalf of Other Half Entertainment, it is with deep regret and great sadness that we announce that William "Billy" Branigan, Laura's younger brother, of Massachusetts passed away on March 10 at the age of 65. Billy passed suddenly and unexpectedly from a heart attack. Per Billy's wishes there was no service. He is survived by his loving wife, Diane, and brother Mark Branigan and sister Susan Branigan.
In respecting the wishes of Billy's wife to grieve her husband's loss privately, I spoke with Michelle Clarke, Diane's best friend, who confirmed these details. She also gave me permission to share a few things with all of you. Michelle related to me that Billy and Diane had a great relationship and complemented each other really well. When Michelle was notified about Billy, she went right over to Billy and Diane's home to be there for Diane. When Michelle was driving home later that night, she told me that the very first song she heard on a local radio station was Laura's "Gloria". Michelle took that as a sign that Billy was telling her that it's alright, I'm here with my sister, I'm okay. She then told me that Billy loved Laura so much. Michelle went on to describe Billy as being "so sweet and kind," a guy who "always complimented people." She also remarked about how modest Billy was - not one to brag. Although Billy was not involved in the music business in his later years, Michelle said he still had such a great love for music. It was interesting to learn that Billy liked to keep himself busy, that he was a real "doer", who loved to work with his hands, especially around his house. I smiled when she told me that Billy enjoyed gardening too, as that's something Laura enjoyed greatly as well. I asked Michelle to pass along our deepest condolences, thoughts, prayers, and support to Billy's wife, Diane, on behalf of Other Half Entertainment and all of Laura's fans, and she was gracious to do so. From the bottom of our hearts, Michelle, thank you so much. We have also expressed the same sentiments to the Branigan family during their time of loss.
As many of you know, in his earlier days, Billy was a musician in his own right, a singer-songwriter who released a solo album in 1986 called "Make a Move" on the Polygram label and he also joined several bands throughout the years as a vocalist and guitar player. Laura and Billy sang and played music together from an early age growing up. Early in Laura's career with Atlantic Records after the success of "Gloria," Billy toured with Laura as her guitar player. Years later, Billy was one of the co-producers of Laura's seventh studio album OVER MY HEART (1993), contributing his skills as an arranger and as a musician on bass guitar, acoustic guitar, and backing vocals. Billy and Laura co-wrote the song "Over You" for OVER MY HEART and Billy's vocals can be heard on another track from the album, the single "Didn't We Almost Win It All". Billy also appears in the official music video for the song, which I have included here in tribute to Laura and Billy.
Please keep Billy's wife, his family, and his friends in your thoughts and prayers in the days to come as they continue to mourn his loss. May he rest in peace.
Kathy Golik
Legacy Manager
Other Half Entertainment
Laura Branigan
March 17, 2022 ·
On behalf of Other Half Entertainment, it is with deep regret and great sadness that we announce that William "Billy" Branigan, Laura's younger brother, of Massachusetts passed away on March 10 at the age of 65. Billy passed suddenly and unexpectedly from a heart attack. Per Billy's wishes there was no service. He is survived by his loving wife, Diane, and brother Mark Branigan and sister Susan Branigan.
In respecting the wishes of Billy's wife to grieve her husband's loss privately, I spoke with Michelle Clarke, Diane's best friend, who confirmed these details. She also gave me permission to share a few things with all of you. Michelle related to me that Billy and Diane had a great relationship and complemented each other really well. When Michelle was notified about Billy, she went right over to Billy and Diane's home to be there for Diane. When Michelle was driving home later that night, she told me that the very first song she heard on a local radio station was Laura's "Gloria". Michelle took that as a sign that Billy was telling her that it's alright, I'm here with my sister, I'm okay. She then told me that Billy loved Laura so much. Michelle went on to describe Billy as being "so sweet and kind," a guy who "always complimented people." She also remarked about how modest Billy was - not one to brag. Although Billy was not involved in the music business in his later years, Michelle said he still had such a great love for music. It was interesting to learn that Billy liked to keep himself busy, that he was a real "doer", who loved to work with his hands, especially around his house. I smiled when she told me that Billy enjoyed gardening too, as that's something Laura enjoyed greatly as well. I asked Michelle to pass along our deepest condolences, thoughts, prayers, and support to Billy's wife, Diane, on behalf of Other Half Entertainment and all of Laura's fans, and she was gracious to do so. From the bottom of our hearts, Michelle, thank you so much. We have also expressed the same sentiments to the Branigan family during their time of loss.
As many of you know, in his earlier days, Billy was a musician in his own right, a singer-songwriter who released a solo album in 1986 called "Make a Move" on the Polygram label and he also joined several bands throughout the years as a vocalist and guitar player. Laura and Billy sang and played music together from an early age growing up. Early in Laura's career with Atlantic Records after the success of "Gloria," Billy toured with Laura as her guitar player. Years later, Billy was one of the co-producers of Laura's seventh studio album OVER MY HEART (1993), contributing his skills as an arranger and as a musician on bass guitar, acoustic guitar, and backing vocals. Billy and Laura co-wrote the song "Over You" for OVER MY HEART and Billy's vocals can be heard on another track from the album, the single "Didn't We Almost Win It All". Billy also appears in the official music video for the song, which I have included here in tribute to Laura and Billy.
Please keep Billy's wife, his family, and his friends in your thoughts and prayers in the days to come as they continue to mourn his loss. May he rest in peace.
Kathy Golik
Legacy Manager
Other Half Entertainment
March 17, 2022 ·
On behalf of Other Half Entertainment, it is with deep regret and great sadness that we announce that William "Billy" Branigan, Laura's younger brother, of Massachusetts passed away on March 10 at the age of 65. Billy passed suddenly and unexpectedly from a heart attack. Per Billy's wishes there was no service. He is survived by his loving wife, Diane, and brother Mark Branigan and sister Susan Branigan.
In respecting the wishes of Billy's wife to grieve her husband's loss privately, I spoke with Michelle Clarke, Diane's best friend, who confirmed these details. She also gave me permission to share a few things with all of you. Michelle related to me that Billy and Diane had a great relationship and complemented each other really well. When Michelle was notified about Billy, she went right over to Billy and Diane's home to be there for Diane. When Michelle was driving home later that night, she told me that the very first song she heard on a local radio station was Laura's "Gloria". Michelle took that as a sign that Billy was telling her that it's alright, I'm here with my sister, I'm okay. She then told me that Billy loved Laura so much. Michelle went on to describe Billy as being "so sweet and kind," a guy who "always complimented people." She also remarked about how modest Billy was - not one to brag. Although Billy was not involved in the music business in his later years, Michelle said he still had such a great love for music. It was interesting to learn that Billy liked to keep himself busy, that he was a real "doer", who loved to work with his hands, especially around his house. I smiled when she told me that Billy enjoyed gardening too, as that's something Laura enjoyed greatly as well. I asked Michelle to pass along our deepest condolences, thoughts, prayers, and support to Billy's wife, Diane, on behalf of Other Half Entertainment and all of Laura's fans, and she was gracious to do so. From the bottom of our hearts, Michelle, thank you so much. We have also expressed the same sentiments to the Branigan family during their time of loss.
As many of you know, in his earlier days, Billy was a musician in his own right, a singer-songwriter who released a solo album in 1986 called "Make a Move" on the Polygram label and he also joined several bands throughout the years as a vocalist and guitar player. Laura and Billy sang and played music together from an early age growing up. Early in Laura's career with Atlantic Records after the success of "Gloria," Billy toured with Laura as her guitar player. Years later, Billy was one of the co-producers of Laura's seventh studio album OVER MY HEART (1993), contributing his skills as an arranger and as a musician on bass guitar, acoustic guitar, and backing vocals. Billy and Laura co-wrote the song "Over You" for OVER MY HEART and Billy's vocals can be heard on another track from the album, the single "Didn't We Almost Win It All". Billy also appears in the official music video for the song, which I have included here in tribute to Laura and Billy.
Please keep Billy's wife, his family, and his friends in your thoughts and prayers in the days to come as they continue to mourn his loss. May he rest in peace.
Kathy Golik
Legacy Manager
Other Half Entertainment
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