Cyndi Lauper: An 80s Female Icon

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Jul 12

**Tribute: Celebrating the Iconic Cyndi Lauper**

Tribute to Legacy highlights Cyndi Lauper, energized by So Unusual – A Cyndi Lauper Tribute Band. From neon vibes to iconic anthems, it captures Lauper’s legendary spirit.

Welcome to a new feature where Let’s Talk About The Music steps away from the current independent music scene to pay homage to the legacy of music from the past. Today’s musicians owe their presence to those who came before them, paving the way.

All Legendary Musicians are welcome as guests on Lets Talk About The Music Podcast.

Cyndi Lauper: An 80s Female Icon

I hope everyone had a good March—and on March 8th, that everyone had an enjoyable International Women’s Day. But I must ask: Did you have fun? Did any women have fun? Why? Because girls just want to have fun! I’m going to pretend I’m the first person to intro an article on Cyndi Lauper with that reference.

Lauper announced her potential retirement last year, and she’s one of my favorite pop singers of the 1980s. Given this, I think it’s her turn to be spotlighted on LTATM’s tribute page, and we can also explore who might be paying tribute to her incredible body of work.

Cynthia Ann-Stephanie Lauper was born on June 22, 1953. As the daughter of a single mother, Lauper faced early challenges: she and her siblings were expelled from their Catholic school due to her mother’s divorce. Years later, during a Rolling Stone interview, she commented, “The Church, the family, the government. Those are the three biggest oppressors of women that will ever come along.”

Lauper was also bullied in school for the unusual way she dressed. By her teens, she was already crafting the iconic look we would all eventually come to associate with her. One of my favorite Lauper quotes features her commenting on her clothing style: "I love fashion. I went to Fashion Industries High School as a kid. I flunked out, of course. Guess my biggest revenge was to screw up fashion for a while."

As an outlet from the bullying, Lauper’s older sister taught her how to play guitar; this kicked off her interest in music and poetry. As she grew older, she began performing locally in public venues. Like so many other mainstream singers at the beginning of their careers, Lauper faced the hurdle of nobody (including her school teachers) believing that she had any real talent. She even lost gigs at events because people would leave when she performed.

In 1977, Lauper lost her voice due to an inverted cyst in her throat, and doctors said that she would never be able to sing again. Fortunately, voice coach Katie Agresta assisted her in regaining her unique voice. Lauper landed a manager soon afterwards who introduced her to songwriter John Turi. Lauper and Turi formed the group Blue Angel and created a demo for music representatives.

One rep in particular was unimpressed with the band’s song and sound, but he liked Lauper’s distinctive voice and felt she had tremendous potential. However, Lauper refused to sign any contracts unless they also offered it to her fellow bandmates. Their debut album was released in 1980 but was considered a flop. Nevertheless, producers approached Lauper to cover a little-known song by Robert Hazard. Perhaps you’ve heard of it? We’ve helpfully included a YouTube link to Hazard’s version.

The song, “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” originally described a man struggling to find a girlfriend, suggesting that women only want to party and casting a bleak outlook on their desire for fun. Rather understandably, Lauper wasn’t thrilled with this angle and wished to rewrite it. YouTube channel Rock N Roll True Stories commented that she refashioned the song into an anthem “celebrating youthful hedonism, instead of condemning it.” This reimagined version essentially put Lauper on everybody’s radar and became her signature song. Personally, my favorite song of hers is “Good Enough” from the 80s film, The Goonies.

In 2024, Lauper announced the “Girls Just Want To Have Fun Farewell Tour,” leading to speculation about her retirement. However, Lauper has asserted that she is still open to future performances. Unfortunately, I couldn’t attend any of her concerts—but as we’ve established on this site, there are other ways to experience the phenomenon that is Cyndi Lauper.

Cyndi Lauper - True Colors

"So Unusual," a Cyndi Lauper tribute band, is on tour now.

A tribute band called So Unusual

One of those ways is with So Unusual, a tribute band named after Lauper’s first hit album, She’s So Unusual. The group not only pays homage to her music but also captures Lauper’s trademark fashion style and personality, as opposed to many tribute bands who simply play the songs. According to So Unusual’s website, their “Cyndi” possesses “an extensive background in music and theater.” And, while they don’t have any upcoming shows listed, their site does mention plans for a Florida tour. For a sampling of the band’s sound, check out their cover of my favorite, “Good Enough.”

If you wish to contact this group for more info or potential bookings, they can be reached through the social media sites listed in our sidebar. So get out there and have some fun!

Sources: (this could be another great sidebar link, as it’s a video talking about Lauper’s rise to fame)