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…
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.
Aretha Franklin
Express Newspapers/Getty ImagesAmerican soul singer Aretha Franklin dancing for the cameras. (Photo by Express Newspapers/Getty Images)
The Supremes (Diana Ross, Florence Ballard, Mary Wilson)
Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesAmerican vocal trio The Supremes in London for their first time on a promotional visit arranged by EMI, 8th October 1964. From left to right, Florence Ballard, Mary Wilson and Diana Ross. (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Bessie Smith
Three Lions/Getty Imagescirca 1935: American singer Bessie Smith (circa 1894 - 1937), known as the Empress of the Blues. (Photo by Three Lions/Getty Images)
Ma Rainey
Lefteris Papaulakis/Shutterstock.comZola Taylor
A. W. Cox/Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesSinger Zola Taylor, member of the American rock and roll group 'The Platters', wearing a fur coat as she arrives at an airport, March 8th 1957. (Photo by A. W. Cox/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
LaVern Baker
Rhino/AtlanticTina Turner
John Rogers/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesAmerican singer, songwriter, and actress Tina Turner performs at the Brighton Centre, Brighton, UK, 11th March 1985. (Photo by John Rogers/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Dinah Washington
Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesStudio portrait of American jazz singer Dinah Washington (1924 - 1963), 1940s. (Photograph by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Ruth Brown
RhinoEtta James
UMGCynthia Robinson & Rose Stone
Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesAmerican band Sly and the Family Stone at Hatchetts Club in Piccadilly, London, 11th September 1968. From left to right, they are Sly Stone, Rose Stone, Larry Graham, Cynthia Robinson, Freddie Stone, Greg Errico and Jerry Martini. (Photo by Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Donna Jean Godchaux
RhinoJanis Joplin
Stroud/Express/Getty Images21st April 1969: American blues rock singer Janis Joplin (1943 - 1970). (Photo by Stroud/Express/Getty Images)
Martha and the Vandellas (Martha Reeves, Rosalind Ashford-Holmes, Annette Sterling-Helton, Lois Reeves, Betty Kelly)
Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesAmerican Motown vocal group Martha And The Vandellas arriving at London Airport (now Heathrow), London, 15th March 1965. Left to right: Rosalind Ashford, Martha Reeves and Betty Kelly. The group are in the UK to take part in the Tamla-Motown Revue tour. (Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Gladys Knight
an Tyas/Keystone/Getty Images31st August 1978: Gladys Knight And The Pips (left to right) Merald 'Bubba' Knight, Edward Patten and William Sweet. (Photo by Ian Tyas/Keystone/Getty Images)
The Shirelles (Shirley Alston Reeves, Addie Harris, Doris Kenner Jackson, Beverly Lee)
Kaye/Express/Getty Images2nd December 1963: American girl group the Shirelles, Shirley Owens, Beverly Lee, Doris Kenner and Addie 'Micki' Harris at the premiere of 'It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World'. Their biggest hit came with the pop classic 'Will You Love Me Tomorrow?' (Photo by Kaye/Express/Getty Images)
Maureen Tucker – Inducted in 1996 with The Velvet Underground
UNIVERSAL MUSIC ARCHIVESGrace Slick
McCarthy/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesAmerican singer/songwriter Grace Slick of psychedelic rock group Jefferson Airplane, July 1970. (Photo by McCarthy/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Mahalia Jackson
Douglas Miller/Keystone/Getty Images5th April 1961: American gospel singer Mahalia Jackson (1911 - 1972) during a rehearsal for her European tour in London. (Photo by Douglas Miller/Keystone/Getty Images)
Joni Mitchell
Central Press/Getty Images18th September 1968: Canadian folk singer and songwriter Joni Mitchell, strumming her guitar outside The Revolution club in London. (Photo by Central Press/Getty Images)
Christine McVie & Stevie Nicks
Dia Dipasupil/Getty ImagesNEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 26: Honorees Christine McVie (L) and Stevie Nicks of music group Fleetwood Mac attend MusiCares Person of the Year honoring Fleetwood Mac at Radio City Music Hall on January 26, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images )
Cass Elliot & Michelle Phillips
Wood/Getty ImagesAmerican folk pop group The Mamas And The Papas arrive at Southampton, England. From left to right, Mama Cass Elliot (front) (1941 - 1974), Canadian-born Denny Doherty, Michelle Philips, and John Phillips (1935 - 2001). (Photo by Wood/Getty Images)
Dusty Springfield
Central Press/Getty ImagesPopular British singer Dusty Springfield (1939 - 1999) performing in the Royal Variety Show at the London Palladium. (Photo by Central Press/Getty Images)
Cleotha Staples, Mavis Staples & Yvonne Staples
Don Paulsen/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty ImagesAmerican gospel and soul group The Staple Singers, fronted by Roebuck 'Pops' Staples (1914 - 2000, right) rehearsing for the Stax Records Christmas concert in Memphis, Tennessee, 20th December 1968. (Photo by Don Paulsen/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Billie Holiday
Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesAmerican blues singer Billie Holiday (1915 - 1959) singing with an orchid in her hair, early 1950s. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Bonnie Raitt
Larry Busacca/Getty ImagesLOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 06: Musician Bonnie Raitt performs onstage at the 25th anniversary MusiCares 2015 Person Of The Year Gala honoring Bob Dylan at the Los Angeles Convention Center on February 6, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. The annual benefit raises critical funds for MusiCares' Emergency Financial Assistance and Addiction Recovery programs. For more information visit musicares.org. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for NARAS)
Brenda Lee
Len Trievnor/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesAmerican singer Brenda Lee, UK, 18th August 1964. (Photo by Len Trievnor/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Tina Weymouth
Lawrence Lucier/Getty Images402530 01: Members of the group Talking Heads attend the 17th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony March 18, 2002 in New York City. (Photo by Lawrence Lucier/Getty Images)
Chrissie Hynde
Terry Wyatt/Getty ImagesNASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 10: Musician Chrissie Hynde performs at Ryman Auditorium on November 10, 2014 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images)
Debbie Harry
Rogers/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesAmerican singer, songwriter, model and actress Debbie Harry sitting on a staircase, UK, 21st November 1983. (Photo by Rogers/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
The Ronettes (Veronica, Estelle Bennett, Nedra Talley)
Fred Mott/Getty ImagesThe Ronettes (left to right) singers Veronica 'Ronnie' Bennett, Nedra Talley and Estelle Bennett, an American pop trio produced by Phil Spector. (Photo by Fred Mott/Getty Images)
Patti Smith
Theo Wargo/Getty ImagesNEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 04: Patti Smith performs the 17th Annual A Great Night In Harlem at The Apollo Theater on April 04, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images)
Madonna
Ezra Shaw/Getty ImagesINDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 05: Singer Madonna performs during the Bridgestone Super Bowl XLVI Halftime Show at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 5, 2012 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Wanda Jackson
Michael Loccisano/Getty ImagesCLEVELAND - APRIL 04: Wanda Jackson performs onstage during the 24th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Hall on April 4, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
Agnetha Fältskog & Anni-Frid Lyngstad
Evening Standard/Getty ImagesSwedish pop group Abba. From left to right: Benny Andersson, Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Agnetha Faltskog and Bjorn Ulvaeus. (Photo by Evening Standard/Getty Images)
Darlene Love
Jared Wickerham/Getty ImagesCLEVELAND - MAY 14: Darlene Love performs during the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 'It's Only Rock And Roll' benefit concert and Women Who Rock exhibit opening concert at the Cleveland Convention Center on Saturday May 14, 2011 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum)
Claudette Rogers Robinson
Evening Standard/Getty Images15th March 1965: Soul pop singer and songwriter Smokey Robinson, front, and his band The Miracles, who include Smokey's wife Claudette, disembarking from an aeroplane. Clockwise, from bottom, left: Ronnie White, Claudette Robinson, Bobby Rogers, Smokey Robinson and Pete Moore. The group are in the UK to take part in the Tamla-Motown Revue tour. (Photo by Evening Standard/Getty Images)
Laura Nyro
UMGAnn & Nancy Wilson
Express Newspapers/Getty ImagesPortrait of sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson of the rock group Heart on tour in Europe, 1976. (Photo by Express Newspapers/Getty Images)
Donna Summer
Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesAmerican singer and songwriter Donna Summer (1948 - 2012), UK, 21st October 1977. (Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Linda Ronstadt
P. Floyd/Daily Express/Getty ImagesAmerican singer Linda Ronstadt in London, UK, 26th January 1971. (Photo by P. Floyd/Daily Express/Getty Images)
Patti Scialfa
Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesBURBANK, CA - SEPTEMBER 23: Musician Patti Scialfa appears on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" at the NBC Studios on September 23, 2004 in Burbank, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Joan Jett
Christopher Polk/Getty ImagesHOLLYWOOD, CA - DECEMBER 09: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been shot in black and white. Color version not available.) Musician Joan Jett performs at The ALTimate Rooftop Christmas Party at W Hollywood on December 9, 2013 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for Clear Channel)
Joan Baez
Mike Coppola/Getty ImagesNEW YORK, NY - APRIL 07: 2017 Inductee Joan Baez performs onstage at the 32nd Annual Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony at Barclays Center on April 7, 2017 in New York City. The event will broadcast on HBO Saturday, April 29, 2017 at 8:00 pm ET/PT (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
Nina Simone
Photo by Getty ImagesUNSPECIFIED - OCTOBER 18, 1964: American pianist and jazz singer Nina Simone performs October 18, 1964 in an unidentifed location. Simone, whose deep, raspy voice made her a unique jazz figure and later helped chronicle the civil rights movement, died in her sleep on April 21, 2003 of natural causes after a long illness. She was 70. (Photo by Getty Images)
Sister Rosetta Tharpe
Chris Ware/Keystone Features/Getty ImagesAmerican singer Sister Rosetta Tharpe performing on stage with her guitar, November 1957. (Photo by Chris Ware/Keystone Features/Getty Images)
Janet Jackson
Francois Nel/Getty ImagesDUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - MARCH 26: Janet Jackson performs after the Dubai World Cup at the Meydan Racecourse on March 26, 2016 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
Stevie Nicks
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty ImagesNEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 29: Inductee Stevie Nicks performs at the 2019 Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony - Show at Barclays Center on March 29, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images For The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)
Whitney Houston
Scott Gries/ImageDirect/Getty ImagesSpecial guest Whitney Houston at the Songwriters Hall of Fame 32nd Annual Awards at The Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers in New York City on June 14, 2001 Photo by Scott Gries/ImageDirect
Tina Turner
Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesLOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 10: Singer Tina Turner performs onstage during the 50th annual Grammy awards held at the Staples Center on February 10, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Carole King
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty ImagesCLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 30: Inductee Carole King performs onstage during the 36th Annual Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on October 30, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame )
The Go-Go's
Arturo Holmes/Getty ImagesCLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 30: (L-R) 2021 Inductees Jane Wiedlin, Gina Schock, Belinda Carlisle, Charlotte Caffey and Kathy Valentine of The Go-Go's pose in the press room during the 36th Annual Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on October 30, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)
Annie Lennox
Theo Wargo/Getty ImagesLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 05: Annie Lennox of Eurythmics performs onstage during the 37th Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Microsoft Theater on November 05, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)
Dolly Parton
Theo Wargo/Getty ImagesLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 05: Inductee Dolly Parton speaks onstage during the 37th Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Microsoft Theater on November 05, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)
Pat Benatar
Theo Wargo/Getty ImagesLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 05: Pat Benatar performs onstage during the 37th Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Microsoft Theater on November 05, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)
Carly Simon
Theo Wargo/Getty ImagesNEW YORK, NY - APRIL 19: Carly Simon performs onstage during the "Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Lives" Premiere Concert during the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival at Radio City Music Hall on April 19, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tribeca Film Festival)
