Cyndi Lauper feels proud of her unique stage shows.
The 73-year-old singer is well-known for her distinctive stage shows, and Cyndi has recalled a particularly memorable performance of Money Changes Everything, her 1983 single, in Houston in the mid-80s.
Speaking to People, Cyndi shared: “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 strong vision of what she wanted the performance to look like – but the budget was a problem for her.
The singer – who is known for her eccentric clothing and colourful 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.
“Also, 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.”