Surprising role Bad Company played in Cyndi Lauper’s big break

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It’s clear that Cyndi Lauper and Bad Company share a significant similarity – they are both set to be inducted into the 2025 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class. Their dedication to producing remarkable music, achieving chart success, and delivering outstanding performances has earned them this well-deserved recognition.

In contrast, it’s unlikely that Bad Company was significantly impacted by Lauper as they had already been releasing records a full decade before her debut. Although Bad Company continued producing studio albums throughout the 1990s, their musical style had essentially solidified by then.

Yet, things didn’t turn out as Lauper anticipated. Although her songs might not immediately suggest a strong influence from Bad Company, the reality paints a different picture. As revealed in a recent interview with Rolling Stone, had it not been for a track by Bad Company, Lauper might have followed a different path entirely.

Cyndi Lauper gives some thanks to Bad Company

In her own words, Lauper expressed that she often envisioned herself as a backup singer because it offered more creative liberty. She felt she could utilize her entire vocal range without being restricted by a possibly monotonous tune. Additionally, she admitted to having difficulty dancing in high-heeled platform shoes, often tripping and falling.

In an opportunity that caught her interest, when a position for the lead singer in a band became available, Lauper swiftly seized it. Despite her understandable apprehension, she stood before a throng of beer-drinking spectators who were unfamiliar with her performance style. Uncertainty also gripped her about her own abilities.

Cyndi Lauper mentioned that two tunes assisted her in finding her path: one by Free and another by Bad Company. This suggests that Lauper is a fan of Paul Rodgers, who serves as the lead vocalist for both groups. Waving a tambourine and syncing with the rhythm of the tracks, Lauper never hesitated to move forward.

Lauper is still undecided about who will induct her or who she’ll perform with at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in 2025. She does have a preference though; she hopes the backing band would be an all-female group, not just because they are female, but because they are skilled and lively. After all, girls just want to have fun!

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2025-05-18 22:00