Cyndi Lauper

This Day in Music History — November 24

1961 : In yet another important development for British blues-rock, Chicago blues legend Howlin’ Wolf makes his first appearance in the UK for his first European tour, touring behind his latest single, “Little Baby.”

1974 : In the midst of his infamous “Lost Weekend,” John Lennon rehearses with Elton John for Elton’s upcoming Madison Square Garden performance, at which Lennon will make a surprise cameo.

1991 : Cyndi Lauper marries the actor David Thornton. Little Richard, who is an ordained minister, presides over the ceremony and performs at the reception.

1997 : On today’s episode of Judge Judy, Johnny Rotten of The Sex Pistols is the defendant in a wrongful termination lawsuit brought on by his former drummer. Judy Rules in Rotten’s favor, and thanks him for his patience.

2003 : Glen Campbell is arrested for drunk driving and hit-and-run charges in Phoenix, AZ, after crashing his BMW into another car at another intersection and continuing on. The 67-year-old Campbell, who is sentenced to ten days in jail, allegedly knees an officer’s groin during the arrest.

This Day in Music History — October 19

1986 : Cyndi Lauper’s True Colors, written by Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly, hits #1. The song becomes an anthem of acceptance and is reinterpreted many times over the years.

1997 : Vince Gill honors John Denver with a performance of “Take Me Home Country Roads” at the Grand Ole Opry. Denver died a week earlier in a plane crash.

1985 : Thanks to an innovative video that takes place in a comic book, Take On Me gives the Norwegian group a-ha a #1 hit in America.

2000 : The Del McCoury Band is named entertainer of the year for the fourth consecutive year at the International Blue grass Music Association Awards in Louisville, Ky.

2012 : Justin Timberlake marries the actress Jessica Biel at a super-secret ceremony in Italy.

The best mass musician sing-a-longs EVER

from Hello Giggles

by Sophia Elias

Before Tuesday night, mass musician sing-a-longs were few and far between. Thankfully, BBC Music pulled out all the stops with their star-studded cover of the Beach Boys 1996 hit, “God Only Knows”. In light of the BBC Music launch, the network got everyone (and by everyone, I mean 29 world class musicians) to participate in the promo. With the likes of Elton John, Florence Welch, Pharrell, Lorde, Chris Martin, Dave Grohl and Sam Smith, it certainly didn’t disappoint.

Much like its all-star predecessors, “God Only Knows” will contribute to a good cause. The song is set to be released as a single in order to raise money for the BBC’s Children in Need appeal. I have to say, I haven’t been one to seek out celebrity sing-a-longs, but there is something powerful about world class artists collaborating on a single project. I think we ought take a trip down memory lane and give a nod to all those great musical collabs from the past. There are more than you probably know:

1. We Are The World (1985)

“We Are The World” is the mother of all mass musician sing-a-longs. Written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, “We Are The World” was released in an effort to raise awareness and bring relief to the famine in Africa between 1983-1985. The song raised over $10 million in record sales from the United States alone. The song included performances from over 44 world class musicians—including Cyndi Lauper, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen and Ray Charles—who operated under the name of USA for Africa. Fun fact: When the musicians entered the studio, they were met with a sign that read: “Check your egos at the door.” Continue reading →

Watch: Hoda Kotb, Sara Bareilles, Cyndi Lauper fight pediatric cancer with ‘Truly Brave’

It’s surprising how cheerful it can be at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, but in the battle against pediatric cancer, smiles are as important as drugs and surgery.

That’s the reason why Hoda Kotb, herself a breast cancer survivor, felt it was important to bring some joy to the children being treated there. She launched “Project Truly Brave”: a musical collaboration between Sara Bareilles and Cyndi Lauper starring a beautiful and brave group of kids fighting cancer.