A look at pop-star ladies coming to Philly
Cher and Cyndi perform next week, followed by Gaga, then Miley's make-up date in August.
What makes a pop star . . . pop? More than music, that's for sure. If a lady singer wants to make a lasting and lucrative mark in modern culture, she must be multifaceted.
That's exactly the approach of the four larger-than-life women here in concert through the summer. Next week, we've got Cher and Cyndi. Coupla Mondays later, here comes Gaga. And, in August, rescheduled from tonight, it's Miley. Presenting a primer on where these showbiz stars have been, what they've become and, of course, what they wore. Oh, and their greatest hits, too.
Philly Connections
Cyrus spent much of the summer of 2012 in town with hunky then-fiance Liam Hemsworth. He was filming "Paranoia." She was tanning, transforming her look from Hannah Montana to over-the-top hipster, and ducking paparazzi by sneaking through the back door of the 8th and Walnut Starbucks, in the Saint James apartments, where the couple occupied the penthouse.
For six years West Philly born-and-raised Troy Carter managed Gaga. They parted ways last November.
Springfield, DelCo's Robert Hazard composed and recorded "Girls Just Want to Have Fun," in 1979. Lauper's cover of the song became a mega-hit four years later on her debut album, "She's So Unusual," featuring much writing, arranging and performing by Eric Bazilian and Rob Hyman of the Hooters.
Made for TV
Cyrus: Played Hannah Stewart on the Disney Channel's "Hannah Montana," 2006-11.
Gaga: "A Very Gaga Thanksgiving," on ABC, got top ratings in November 2011. 2013's "Lady Gaga & the Muppets Holiday Spectacular" basically bombed.
Lauper: One of MTV's first superstars, thanks to circa 1983 "Girls Just Want to Have Fun," winner of the first Best Female Video at the 1984 VMAs.
Cher: Co-hosted "The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour" with then-husband Sonny Bono, 1971-74, and "The Sonny & Cher Show" post-divorce, 1976-77.
Their real names
Cyrus: Destiny Hope Cyrus.
Gaga: Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta.
Lauper: Cynthia Ann Stephanie Lauper.
Cher: Cherilyn Sarkisian.
Their real ages
Cyrus: 21
Gaga: 28
Lauper: 60
Cher: 67
Their heights
Cher: 5' 9"
Cyrus: 5' 5"
Lauper: 5' 3"
Gaga: 5' 1"
Philly concerts
April 28: Cher, D2K tour, with Cyndi Lauper, Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St., 7:30 p.m., $25.50-$156, 800-298-4200, comcasttix.com.
May 12: Lady Gaga, "artRave - The ARTPOP Ball," Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St., 7:30 p.m., sold out (Stubhub from $39), 800-298-4200, comcasttix.com.
August 2: Miley Cyrus, Bangerz tour. Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St., 7:30 p.m. All previously sold tickets will be honored at that performance. Others: $49.50-$89.50, 800-298-4200, comcasttix.com
Father figures
Cyrus: Billy Ray, "Achy Breaky Heart" singer and TV dad on "Hannah Montana."
Gaga: Freddie Mercury, kinda. His "Radio Gaga" inspired her stage name.
Lauper: "Captain" Lou Albano played her dad in the "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" video.
Cher: Her real father was a gamblin' man. Her two best-known partners were husbands Sonny Bono (father of Chaz) and Gregg Allman (Elijah Blue's dad).
Common cause
They're all outspoken on LGBT issues. Lauper was performing at gay-pride events in the 1980s. Cher supported daughter Charity Bono when she came out at 17 and later became a man. Cyrus simply seems to be speaking for her generation, while Gaga's Born This Way Foundation has fought against Don't Ask, Don't Tell and worked in partnership with Harvard, the MacArthur Foundation, Viacom and Oprah.
Where they're from
Gaga: Manhattan's Upper West Side.
Cher: El Centro, Calif.
Lauper: Queens, N.Y.
Cyrus: Nashville, Tenn.
» READ MORE: here
Cher:
Believe
If I Could Turn Back Time
Gypsies, Tramps & Thieves
Woman's World
I Found Someone
Cyndi Lauper:
Girls Just Want to Have Fun
True Colors
Time After Time
Money Changes Everything
The Goonies 'R Good Enough
Lady Gaga:
Applause
Poker Face
Do What U Want
Bad Romance
Born This Way
Miley Cyrus:
Wrecking Ball
We Can't Stop
Party in the U.S.A
The Climb
Love Money Party
- Compiled by Molly Eichel, Lauren McCutcheon and Jonathan Takiff