When you think of Cyndi Lauper, images of vibrant fashion, punk-infused pop, and Girls Just Want to Have Fun probably spring to mind. But rewind the tape to the late ’70s, and you’ll find a lesser-known chapter in her career that involved a major player from the world of hard rock: Bad Company.
At the time, Lauper was fronting a band called Blue Angel, trying to break through with her powerhouse vocals and unmistakable charisma. Meanwhile, Bad Company, formed by former members of Free and Mott the Hoople, was riding the wave of their arena rock success. The two acts might seem worlds apart, but their paths would soon cross in a meaningful way.
Enter Mick Jones—not the one from The Clash, but the formidable guitarist from Foreigner (another classic rock titan). Jones, tight with the Bad Company crew, caught wind of Lauper’s incredible voice and passed the word along. Through this network, Blue Angel’s demo found its way into some important ears in the rock world.
But it was actually Paul Rodgers’ management team (Rodgers being the legendary lead vocalist of Bad Company) that would give Lauper her first industry break. Recognizing her raw talent, they helped her band secure a deal with Polydor Records. Although Blue Angel, the band’s debut album, didn’t light up the charts, it gave Lauper the credibility and connections she needed to go solo.
That solo career, of course, exploded with the release of She’s So Unusual in 1983, which showcased Lauper’s quirky image, feminist message, and that unmistakable voice. The rest is pop history.
So next time you’re blasting Feel Like Makin’ Love or Time After Time, remember this odd but awesome musical crossroad. Without the behind-the-scenes boost from the Bad Company circle, we might have never heard Cyndi Lauper’s anthem of girl-powered freedom.
Your website speaks volumes about your brand. This breakdown of bad websites shows how poor design can ruin credibility.
