History of Cyndi Lauper in Timeline
Cyndi Lauper is a celebrated American singer, songwriter, and actress recognized for her unique style, colorful appearance, and impressive four-octave vocal range. Having sold over 50 million records globally, she's a prominent figure in the music industry. Beyond her artistic achievements, Lauper is a dedicated humanitarian and a strong advocate for LGBTQ rights in the United States.
1930: Birth of Mother, Catrine Gallo
In 1930, Cyndi Lauper's mother, Catrine (née Gallo), was born. She was of Italian (Sicilian) descent.
June 22, 1953: Cyndi Lauper's Birth
On June 22, 1953, Cynthia Ann Stephanie Lauper, known professionally as Cyndi Lauper, was born in Brooklyn, New York City. She would later become an accomplished American singer, songwriter, and actress.
1978: Formation of Blue Angel
In 1978, Cyndi Lauper met saxophonist John Turi and they formed the band Blue Angel.
1980: Blue Angel Album Release
In 1980, Blue Angel released their debut and sole studio album on Polydor Records. Though critically acclaimed, the album sold poorly and the band broke up.
1981: Signing with Portrait Records
In 1981, while singing in a local New York bar, Cyndi Lauper met David Wolff, who became her manager and helped her sign a recording contract with Portrait Records, a subsidiary of Epic Records.
October 14, 1983: Release of She's So Unusual
On October 14, 1983, Cyndi Lauper released her debut solo studio album, "She's So Unusual".
1983: Debut Album Release
In 1983, Cyndi Lauper released her debut studio album, "She's So Unusual", which became the first debut album by a female artist to achieve four top-five hits on the Billboard Hot 100.
1983: Release of twelve studio albums since 1983
Since 1983, Lauper has released twelve studio albums and participated in many other projects.
June 1984: Debut in the World Wrestling Federation
In June 1984, Cyndi Lauper made her debut in the World Wrestling Federation and became Wendi Richter's manager.
July 23, 1984: Managing Wendi Richter to Championship Victory
On July 23, 1984, Cyndi Lauper managed Wendi Richter when she defeated The Fabulous Moolah for the WWF Women's Championship at The Brawl to End It All, which was broadcast live on MTV.
1984: MTV Video Music Awards Established
In 1984, the MTV Video Music Awards were established by MTV to honor the best music videos of the year. Cyndi Lauper would later win one award out of 14 nominations, securing her first Best Female Video award.
1984: MTV Video Music Award
In 1984, the music video for Cyndi Lauper's "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" won the Best Female Video Award at the inaugural MTV Video Music Awards.
May 1985: Release of "The Goonies 'R' Good Enough"
In May 1985, Cyndi Lauper released the single "The Goonies 'R' Good Enough," from the soundtrack to the film The Goonies, which peaked at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
October 1985: End of WWF Appearances
In October 1985, Cyndi Lauper and Wendi Richter ceased making frequent appearances in the WWF after Richter lost the Women's Championship in a controversial match.
1985: Magazine Covers and Recognition
In 1985, Cyndi Lauper appeared on the covers of Rolling Stone, Time, and Newsweek, was featured twice on the cover of People, and was named a Ms. magazine Woman of the Year.
1985: Continued Appearances at WWF Shows
In 1985, Cyndi Lauper continued to make appearances at WWF shows as Wendi Richter's manager, including at the inaugural WrestleMania event.
1985: Participation in "We Are the World"
In 1985, Cyndi Lauper participated in USA for Africa's famine-relief fund-raising single "We Are the World", which has since sold over 20 million copies.
1985: Grammy Win and Nominations
In 1985, Cyndi Lauper won Best New Artist at the 27th Annual Grammy Awards. Her album "She's So Unusual" also received nominations for Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, and Song of the Year.
1985: Grammy Award for Best New Artist
In 1985, Cyndi Lauper won the Best New Artist award at the 27th Annual Grammy Awards.
1986: "We Are the World" wins multiple Grammy Awards
In 1986, "We Are the World," featuring Cyndi Lauper, won Song of the Year (credited to songwriters Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie), Record of the Year, Best Music Video, Short Form (directed by Tom Trbovich and produced by Quincy Jones), and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal (produced by Quincy Jones).
1986: Collaboration with Billy Joel and Theme Song for Pee-wee's Playhouse
In 1986, Cyndi Lauper collaborated with Billy Joel on his album "The Bridge", co-writing the lyrics for "Code of Silence" and singing harmony vocals. She also sang the theme song for the children's television series Pee-wee's Playhouse, credited as "Ellen Shaw".
1986: Grammy Nomination for "What a Thrill"
In 1986, Cyndi Lauper received a Grammy nomination in the Best Female Rock Vocal Performance category for her song "What a Thrill".
1986: Release of True Colors
In 1986, Cyndi Lauper released her second studio album, "True Colors", which scored two more top-five hits: the title track and "Change of Heart."
1987: Concert film for Cyndi Lauper in Paris
In 1987, David Wolff produced a concert film for Lauper called "Cyndi Lauper in Paris", which was broadcast on HBO.
1987: Roy Orbison records 'I Drove All Night'
In 1987, Roy Orbison originally recorded "I Drove All Night", before Cyndi Lauper's release.
August 1988: Film Debut in Vibes
In August 1988, Cyndi Lauper made her film debut in the comedy "Vibes", playing a psychic in search of a city of gold.
1988: Grammy Nomination for Cyndi Lauper in Paris
In 1988, Cyndi Lauper received a Grammy nomination in the Best Long Form Music Video category for "Cyndi Lauper in Paris".
May 9, 1989: Release of A Night to Remember
On May 9, 1989, Cyndi Lauper released her third studio album, "A Night to Remember".
1989: Chart Success with "I Drove All Night"
In 1989, Cyndi Lauper's chart success continued with the single "I Drove All Night".
May 1990: John Lennon Tribute Concert
In May 1990, Cyndi Lauper participated in the John Lennon tribute concert in Liverpool, performing "Hey Bulldog" and "Working Class Hero". She also participated in the Peace Choir.
1990: Grammy Nomination for I Drove All Night
In 1990, Cyndi Lauper received a Grammy nomination for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance for "I Drove All Night".
November 24, 1991: Marriage to David Thornton
On November 24, 1991, Cyndi Lauper married actor David Thornton.
1991: Starring in Off and Running
In 1991, Cyndi Lauper starred in the comedy mystery film "Off and Running" with David Keith.
1991: Roy Orbison's "I Drove All Night" released
In 1991, Roy Orbison's version of "I Drove All Night" was released.
2003: Blue Angel album cover inclusion
In 2003, Rolling Stone magazine included the Blue Angel album cover as one of the 100 best new wave album covers.
2008: #1 Hits on Hot Dance Club Play Charts
In 2008, Cyndi Lauper continued her chart success with multiple #1 hits on the Hot Dance Club Play charts, including "Into the Nightlife".
2010: Success of Memphis Blues Album
In 2010, Cyndi Lauper's album "Memphis Blues" became Billboard's most successful blues album of the year, holding the number one spot on the Billboard Blues Albums chart for 13 consecutive weeks.
2013: Tony Award for Kinky Boots
In 2013, Cyndi Lauper won the Tony Award for Best Original Score for composing the Broadway musical "Kinky Boots", becoming the first woman to win the category by herself. The musical also won several other Tonys, including Best Musical.
2014: Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album
In 2014, Cyndi Lauper won the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album for the cast recording of "Kinky Boots".
2015: Induction into Songwriters Hall of Fame
In 2015, Cyndi Lauper was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
2016: Laurence Olivier Award for Kinky Boots
In 2016, the West End production of "Kinky Boots" won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical.
2019: Commencement Address and Honorary Degree
In 2019, Cyndi Lauper gave the commencement address at Northern Vermont University – Johnson, and was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Letters.
2022: Death of Mother, Catrine Lauper
In 2022, Cyndi Lauper's mother, Catrine (née Gallo) Lauper, passed away.
2025: Forthcoming Induction into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Cyndi Lauper is scheduled for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2025.
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