Cyndi Lauper’s Debut Album Got a Boost From Two Members of a Soon-To-Be Hit Band in 1983
Cyndi Lauper’s debut solo album, *She’s So Unusual*, was shaped in part by Rob Hyman and Eric Bazilian, who were then building their Philadelphia band, The Hooters. Their work helped define the album’s sound and connected them to one of its biggest songs, “Time After Time”.
Producer Rick Chertoff brought Hyman and Bazilian in to help Lauper develop demos from a mix of covers and original songs. Lauper had strong ideas and sometimes changed direction late in the process. Hyman co-wrote “Time After Time”, composed its synthesiser music and sang harmonies, while Bazilian played guitar and created its opening riff. The album’s success helped set the stage for The Hooters’ major-label deal and their 1985 breakthrough with *Nervous Night*.
- Hyman and Bazilian helped shape Lauper’s debut solo album.
- Hyman co-wrote “Time After Time”; Bazilian played its opening guitar riff.
- The album’s success helped The Hooters gain momentum.
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In the early 1980s, Cyndi Lauper was making her first solo album after years of performing with bands. Producer Rick Chertoff brought in Rob Hyman and Eric Bazilian, musicians from Philadelphia who were developing their own band, The Hooters, to help shape the songs and sound.
Hyman helped write “Time After Time”, composed its synthesiser part and sang harmonies; Bazilian played guitar and came up with the opening riff. The album’s success raised the profile of the two musicians as The Hooters pursued a record deal, before their own breakthrough in 1985.