Cyndi Lauper burst onto the pop scene in 1983 with her debut solo album, "She's So Unusual". With her crazy outfits, sunset orange hair, and seemingly impromptu hiccup vocalizations, she quickly became a household name. I was just one of millions of young girls who fell in love with her at first sight, all of us singing "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" and skip-dancing around the house. The 2nd single off the album, "Time After Time" (co-written by Lauper), hit #1, even though the label wanted her to only cut the songs they'd found for her. The album earned Lauper a Grammy for Best New Artist.
She's So Unusual
Her 2nd album was released in 1986 and included the song "Change of Heart", which was written by Essra Mohawk (a former member of Frank Zappa's Mothers of Invention, and, on an unrelated note, someone I met with about 13 years ago when we almost ended up in a band together). When Lauper got a hold of the song she added some additional parts of her own (making her co-writer), and had The Bangles record the background vocals. The track rose to #3 on Billboard. Also on the album was the title track, "True Colors", which was not only one of Lauper's biggest hits, spending 2 weeks at #1, but also became an anthem of sorts for the LGBT Community, with its message of looking beyond the surface to see the person inside. Although Lauper didn't write "True Colors", she produced the track, changing it from the gospel feel of the demo to the song we all know and love. Once again, it was her Midas Touch that made the difference.
True Colors
More than a gifted songwriter and arranger with powerhouse vocal cords and a unique style, Cyndi Lauper is also a very busy activist. She started the True Colors Fund, the Forty to None Project, the Give a Damn Campaign, did a True Colors Tour for Human Rights, established the True Colors Residence in NYC for the homeless of the LGBT Community, and was instrumental in the Hate Crimes Prevention Act being signed by President Obama.
Lauper at the signing of The Hate Crimes Prevention Act
In 2010 she appeared on "Celebrity Apprentice", spicing up the competition with her colorful personality and placing 6th. That same year, on her 57th birthday, she released her 10th studio album, entitled "Memphis Blues" (and performed "Just Your Fool" from the album on the Celebrity Apprentice finale). The record was on Billboard's Blues Charts for 13 consecutive weeks, and was nominated for a 2011 Grammy. And with good reason: the vocals are exquisite. The fiery hair may be gone, but the voice is still there. And the album cover, with a 57-year-old Lauper in a somewhat provocative pose looking absolutely stunning, is quite possibly my favorite album cover of all time. The imagery, lighting, angles, pose, makeup, hair, bangles... it's all perfect.
Memphis Blues
In 2011 came the release of Lauper's memoir, detailing her personal struggles with depression, and child abuse that caused her to leave home at the age of 17 with her dog (the same dog that appears in the "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" video). The book was, of course, on the New York Times Best Seller list.
Cyndi Lauper: A Memoir
This past year found her writing songs for the Broadway musical, "Kinky Boots", which won Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Score, and four others.
This woman has truly done it all - written hit songs, a memoir, music for Broadway, activism, acting (movies and TV), and did it all while singing her ass off. Oh, and did I mention she gave birth to her son when she was 44? Yes, 44. Now, at 60, she's still going strong and showing no signs of slowing down. She may have dished out a sage warning on "Celebrity Apprentice" when she said, "You should never meet your heroes", but this is one hero I'd be honored to meet.
