Laura Branigan

In the heyday of 1980s synth rock, Laura Branigan stood tall among the leaders of the pre-Riot Grrrl movement, just behind Pat Benatar but one step above Quarterflash. She is best known for her first single, the bombastic Donna Summer clone "Gloria," but throughout the '80s she was something of a household name. Branigan died in her sleep in August 2004. She was 47 years old.