Cyndi Lauper takes pride in the singularity of her live performances.
The 73-year-old performer is famed for her unconventional stage acts, and she recalled a standout rendition of Money Changes Everything, her 1983 hit, performed in Houston during the mid-1980s.
In an interview with People, Lauper recalled: “I remember that I was going to play an arena and they just built the arena in Houston, which they’ve torn down since.” But I was so excited that we were playing the arena and we were going to shoot the video live, and I was so happy and excited.
Cyndi had a vivid concept for the performance’s look, yet budget constraints posed a challenge.
The singer — renowned for her eccentric outfits and bright hair — said: “This wonderful director and teacher, Pat Birch, who was teaching me all about performance art because I love performance art. And I had my heart set on a cherry picker to go over the audience, but they said I couldn’t afford that. And basically, all I could afford was a garbage can, which made me cry a little bit because I didn’t want to be Oscar the Grouch.”
Additionally, I had a friend, Lisa Yap, that I used to work with. I met her through an interview when I was in Blue Angel and she interviewed people out of a garbage can. And I did not want to be like her, because I always liked to keep my lanes clear.
But when they said I couldn’t afford anything, I took the garbage can and I said, “Well, does it fly?”
Cyndi ultimately passed over the audience using a pulley system. However, she was ignorant about the legal ramifications of performing such a daring stunt.
She said: “I was really ignorant because it didn’t occur to me when the lawyer came in, my lawyer, and made me sign a will before I did that show.”
But I go up in the garbage can, I’m above the crowd and I start shaking. And all of a sudden, the garbage can goes right back to the stage immediately almost.
