CYNDI LAUPER

Cyndi Lauper became a breakout star in 1983, thanks to her catchy songs and eccentric style. Her debut album She’s So Unusual made her an instant phenomenon. Spawning two big hit singles, it elevated her to Madonna’s level as a symbol of trendy female empowerment. Her work remained diverse, but with A Night to Remember and A Hat Full of Stars, she took more control of her songwriting and tackled serious topics that would have been beyond her reputation a decade ago.

Lauper was an official celebrity after achieving mainstream success, but she found it difficult to sustain her popularity at the same degree. After her hiatus, she retreated to the studio for a series of pop standards that received positive feedback. She welcomed the 20th century with a trail of albums and awards. In 2013, she went on tour to commemorate the 30th anniversary of She’s So Unusual, which was also the year the album received a deluxe edition, and continued making TV appearances.