Cinderella (band)

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Cinderella is a glam metal band most known during the 1980s. They were formed in Philadelphia in 1984 by vocalist Tom Keifer and bassist Eric Brittingham. The initial lineup featured Tony Destra on drums and Michael Smerick on guitar. Cinderella was discovered by Jon Bon Jovi in 1985, at the Empire Rock Club in Pennsylvania^{[[Citing sources citation needed]]}. In 1985 Smerick and Destra left Cinderella to join Britny Fox (another PA-based metal band). They were replaced by guitarist Jeff LaBar and drummer Jim Drnec. It was this lineup that recorded their first album, Night Songs (although the drums were played by session drummer Jody Cortez. [Rewind with Jeff LaBar, 7/14/06] [Night Songs credits]at allmusic.com

Shortly after the recording, Drnec was replaced by (former London drummer) Fred Coury, who joined in time to be included as the drummer of record in the album's liner notes. The album, released in August 1986 went on to become triple Platinum, selling 50,000 copies per week at one point.

During the Night Songs tour, Cinderella were exposed to a very large audience opening for Bon Jovi (on their tour for Slippery When Wet).

Cinderella's second album, Long Cold Winter, was released in 1988. The 254-show tour to support it lasted over 14 months and included dates on the Moscow Music Peace Festival along side other glam metal heavyweights such as Ozzy Osbourne, The Scorpions, Mötley Crüe, Bon Jovi, and Skid Row. A highlight of the tour's stage show featured Keifer being lowered to the stage while playing a white piano during their radio hit Don't Know What You Got 'Til It's Gone.

Their third album, Heartbreak Station was released in 1990 and feature songs much more heavily influenced by Keifer's love of the blues. Following the accompanying tour, Fred Coury left the band and joined former Ratt vocalist Stephen Pearcy in a band called Arcade. There were no hard feelings about his departure^{[[Citing sources citation needed]]}

Additionally, Keifer began experiencing problems with his voice after the tour and underwent several operations. Bang Your Head by David Konow, pages 369-370, ISBN 0-609-80732-3

Cinderella reunited in 1997 and toured the United States in the following year. They released two albums, Once Upon a... and Live at the Key Club, however were dropped by their label (Sony) while working on songs for the followup. They toured again in 2000 and 2002.

Currently, Eric Brittingham and Jeff LaBar are working with Brittingham's wife's band, Naked Beggars. Fred is working with numerous bands in the studio and film, and Keifer is working on a solo album. Cinderella headlined the VH1 Classic Rock Never Stops 2005 summer tour.

In 2005 Mercury Records released the compilation 'Rocked, Wired & Bluesed: The Greatest Hits' on CD and DVD.

The band is scheduled to appear on Poison's 20th anniversary tour in the summer of 2006.

Discography

• Night Songs (1986)
• Long Cold Winter (1988)
• Heartbreak Station (1990)
• Live Train To Heartbreak Station (1991)
• Still Climbing (1994)
• Once Upon a... (1997)
• Live at the Key Club (1999)
• (2005)
• Gold (2006)

References