# Sandra

> German singer (born 1962)

**Wikidata**: [Q76901](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q76901)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandra_(singer))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sandra

## Summary

Sandra Raw (also known as Sandra Cretu, Sandra Ann Lauer, Sandra Ann, or Sandra Lauer) is a German singer who began her music career in 1976. She is best known as the lead vocalist of the West German female vocal group Arabesque, which was active from the late 1970s through the 1980s, and later pursued a solo career with Virgin Records. Her work spans multiple popular music genres including pop, synth-pop, dance music, Eurodisco, pop rock, and Eurodance.

## Biography

- **Born:** Date and place not specified in source material
- **Nationality:** German
- **Education:** Not specified in source material
- **Known for:** Being the lead vocalist of Arabesque and subsequent solo career in European pop music
- **Employer(s):** Arabesque (1977–1980s), Virgin Records
- **Field(s):** Music (pop, synth-pop, dance music, Eurodisco, pop rock, Eurodance)

## Contributions

- **Arabesque (1977–1980s):** Joined as lead vocalist of this West German female vocal group, which became one of the most successful German acts of the late 1970s and 1980s, particularly in the Eurodisco and synth-pop genres.
- **Solo Career:** Pursued a solo career with Virgin Records, a prominent British record label founded in 1972 and headquartered in London.
- **Genre Exploration:** Contributed to multiple music genres including pop music (established circa 1950), synth-pop (emerged 1972), Eurodisco (1974), pop rock (1965), and Eurodance (1988).
- **Website:** Maintains an official website at http://www.sandralauer.com/

## FAQs

**What is Sandra Raw best known for?**
Sandra Raw is best known as the lead vocalist of Arabesque, a highly successful West German female vocal group active during the late 1970s and 1980s, and for her subsequent solo career in European pop music.

**Which record label did Sandra work with?**
Sandra worked with Virgin Records, a British record label founded in 1972 and headquartered in London.

**What musical genres is Sandra associated with?**
Sandra's work spans several genres including pop music, synth-pop, dance music, Eurodisco, pop rock, and Eurodance.

**When did Sandra begin her music career?**
Sandra began her professional music career in 1976, joining Arabesque in 1977.

**What other names is Sandra known by?**
Sandra is also known as Sandra Cretu, Sandra Ann Lauer, Sandra Ann, and Sandra Lauer.

## Why They Matter

Sandra Raw represents an important figure in the European pop music scene of the late 20th century. As the voice behind Arabesque, she helped define the Eurodisco and synth-pop sounds that dominated European charts during the late 1970s and 1980s. Her transition from a group artist to a solo performer with Virgin Records demonstrated the viability of German-born artists in the international pop marketplace. The multiple genre explorations throughout her career—spanning from synth-pop's emergence in the early 1970s through Eurodance's rise in the late 1980s—showcase her adaptability and relevance across different eras of popular music. Without her contributions, the landscape of German pop music exports during this period would be notably less influential.

## Notable For

- Lead vocalist of Arabesque, one of the most successful German female vocal groups of the late 1970s and 1980s
- Achieved international recognition through both group and solo work
- Collaborated with Virgin Records, one of Britain's most influential independent-turned-major record labels
- Spanned multiple decades of musical evolution from synth-pop through Eurodance
- Maintained an official web presence at sandralauer.com

## Body

### Early Career and Rise to Fame (1976–1977)

Sandra Raw began her professional music career in 1976, entering the European pop scene at a time when synth-pop and Eurodisco were gaining significant traction across the continent. Her entry into the music industry coincided with a transformative period in popular music, where electronic instrumentation was becoming increasingly prominent and German acts were finding international success.

### Arabesque Years (1977–1980s)

In 1977, Sandra joined Arabesque, a West German female vocal group that would become one of the most successful acts to emerge from Germany during the late 1970s and 1980s. The group specialized in Eurodisco and synth-pop, genres that were experiencing tremendous popularity across Europe at the time. Arabesque's formation in 1977 placed them at the forefront of the Eurodisco movement, which had emerged in 1974, and they benefited from the growing international interest in German electronic pop music.

The group achieved substantial commercial success, with Sandra as their lead vocalist serving as the distinctive voice behind many of their most memorable recordings. Arabesque represented Germany's contribution to the global pop music landscape during a period when the country was producing numerous influential electronic and dance acts. Their work helped establish Germany as a significant source of pop music innovation beyond traditional rock and Schlager genres.

### Solo Career and Record Label Affiliation

Following her tenure with Arabesque, Sandra pursued a solo career. She signed with Virgin Records, a British record label founded in 1972 and headquartered in London. Virgin Records was known for its roster of innovative artists across multiple genres and represented a significant platform for any European artist seeking international recognition. The label's willingness to sign Sandra demonstrated confidence in her solo artistic potential following her success with Arabesque.

### Musical Style and Genre Contributions

Sandra's career encompassed an impressive range of musical genres that reflects the evolution of popular music from the mid-1970s through the late 1980s. Her work with Arabesque primarily focused on Eurodisco and synth-pop, but her solo career allowed for exploration across pop music (established as a distinct genre circa 1950), dance music, pop rock, and Eurodance (which emerged in 1988). This genre diversity demonstrates her adaptability as an artist and her ability to remain relevant across different musical movements and audience preferences.

### Personal Identity and Public Presence

Throughout her career, Sandra has been known by multiple names including Sandra Cretu (which suggests a possible marriage connection), Sandra Ann Lauer, Sandra Ann, and Sandra Lauer. This variation in naming reflects common practices in the entertainment industry for branding purposes or personal changes. She maintains an official web presence at http://www.sandralauer.com/, indicating continued engagement with her fan base and her artistic identity.

### Legacy and Influence

Sandra Raw's contributions to European pop music represent an important chapter in the history of German music exports. Through her work with Arabesque and subsequently as a solo artist, she helped demonstrate that German artists could achieve success in the international pop marketplace while maintaining their national identity. Her career trajectory from group vocalist to solo artist with a major international label provides a model for how European pop artists could navigate the music industry during the late 20th century. The longevity of her career, spanning from 1976 through periods of significant musical evolution, speaks to her adaptability and enduring appeal as an artist.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. Markus Lanz. 2012
3. International Standard Name Identifier
4. MusicBrainz
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. BnF authorities
7. [Source](https://lingualibre.fr/wiki/Q99139)
8. Discogs
9. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
10. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
11. YouTube API