PRIVATE SESSIONS: Cyndi Lauper

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Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter Cyndi Lauper chats to host Lynn Hoffman about the projects that defined and built her career.

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Cyndi Lauper
born: 22-06-1953
birth place: Brooklyn, New York, USA

A decade before ‘girl power’ became the war cry of the 90s, Cyndi Lauper called on women everywhere to fight for equality whilst embracing their femininity. A singer, songwriter, musician and an actress, the New York native has maintained her steely determination without losing her ability to entertain millions.

One might say that Cynthia Ann Stephanie "Cyndi" Lauper ‘burst’ into the world on June 22nd 1953 rather than being born into it. One of three children born to Fred and Catrine Lauper, the vivacious child was originally from Brooklyn, New York, but was raised by her mother in Queens following her parents’ divorce in 1958.

Growing up during the peak of the civil rights movement and surrounded by the sounds of The Beatles, Billie Holliday and Ella Fitzgerald, Lauper developed an intense love of music from an early age and learned to play guitar at the age of 12.

With her mother’s support for her blossoming creativity, the headstrong teen dropped out of high school to perform with a variety of cover bands. However, Lauper soon suffered a major setback which threatened to destroy her musical ambitions.

In 1977, the ambitious performer damaged her voice and was told by doctors that she would never be able to sing again. In spite of this damning medical diagnosis, Lauper persevered and sought the help of singing coach Katie Agresta. Her resolve was rewarded and the star has since credited Agresta with the return of her most precious instrument: her vocals.

Lauper began performing again and co-founded a band called Blue Angel. With her four octave voice at its forefront, the group found success in 1980, when it released a self titled album with Polydor Records. However with this victory came one of Lauper’s most difficult setbacks. Following poor album sales, Blue Angel was sued by its manager. The claim left Lauper with no recourse but to file for bankruptcy.

The deflated artist had little choice but to work in the retail industry during the day whilst trying to rebuild her musical career with appearances in her spare time. It was after one such performance at a local club in 1981 that Lauper first met a music manager called David Wolff. The two fell in love and Wolff became the singer’s manager. As their relationship blossomed, so did Lauper’s prospects. With Wolff behind her, she was signed to Portrait Records and began to record an album.

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