Cyndi Lauper on Being Snubbed from 2023 Rock Hall Class
Cyndi Lauper has been eligible for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame since 2009 and received her first nomination this year. Even though she didn’t make the cut for the 2023 induction class, the pop singer isn’t losing sleep over it.
Lauper told People on the red carpet of the Tribeca Festival, “I always felt that rock ‘n’ roll could save the world, and as a rocker, you have to be an activist … “I don’t need a badge. I need to be able to continue the work and help to make a difference… You have to remember to be human and help other humans.”
Lauper was at the Tribeca Festival for the premiere of Let the Canary Sing, a new documentary about her life and career. The film is directed by Alison Ellwood, who previously worked on other rock docs, including 2020’s The Go-Go’s and 2013’s History of the Eagles.
USA Today notes Lauper wasn’t too sure about making a documentary about her life and career. She said before the film’s screening at Tribeca, “When I was first approached, I said, ‘A documentary? I’m not dead yet!’ But if anybody was going to tell my story – the good, the bad and the ugly; the missteps and the good steps; the triumphs and the not-so-triumphant – it would be Alison Ellwood. She’s a wonderful filmmaker. I feel honored.”
Currently, there is no set date for wide release for Let the Canary Sing.
A Salute to the Women Performers in the Rock Hall
Today (March 8) is International Women’s Day. How should we celebrate? By honoring the influential women that have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
…Oh, and to serve up the reminder that women accounting for just over eight percent of Rock Hall inductees is simply inexcusable. (For a further breakdown of this, check out Evelyn McDonnell’s exceptional piece “The Manhandling of Rock ‘N’ Roll History.”)
John Sykes, the Rock Hall’s new chairman after Rolling Stone/Rock Hall founder Jann Wenner stepped down as of January 1, 2020, said in countless interviews how the Rock Hall needs to evolve and diversify. It seems as though he’s keeping his word. More women are being nominated and more women are being inducted. Tina Turner, Carole King and The Go-Go’s were inducted as part of the 2021 class. Meanwhile, Annie Lennox, Dolly Parton, Pat Benatar and Carly Simon are members of the 2022 induction class. Hopefully, fans will see even more women make the cut in future classes.
Until then, scroll through the gallery. It features the remarkable women who have defied the odds to be recognized by the Rock Hall.
Erica Banas is a news blogger who's been covering the rock/classic rock world since 2014. The coolest event she's ever covered in person was the 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. (Sir Paul McCartney inducting Foo Fighters? C'mon now!) She's also well-versed in etiquette and extraordinarily nice. #TransRightsAreHumanRights