The singer, then part of rockabilly band Blue Angel, knew her worth even then, former nightclub owner Rick Bandazian said.
There were two dressing rooms and — as the opening act for David Johansen — Lauper’s band was relegated to one that was more like a dumpy closet with a coach, Bandazian said. Lauper complained.
“I kind of don’t blame her for that now,” Bandazian said.
Lauper went on to rock the stage at The Circus in Bergenfield that night.
“She was excellent," Bandazian said. "In fact, I remember asking the sound and light guy, ‘who’s that chick?’”
“He answered: 'I think her name’s Cyndi Loper, Cyndi Lauper, something like that.’”
For more information on the music legends who visited Bergenfield over the years, check out Bandazian’s book, “Rock and Roll Meltdown: The Circus Nightclub Story.”
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