Questions
When and where did Cinderella form?
The band formed in 1983 in Clifton Heights, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia. It was started by Tom Keifer and Eric Brittingham.
Who discovered Cinderella?
Jon Bon Jovi reportedly spotted the band at the Empire Rock Club and connected them with A&R executive Derek Shulman. That led to a deal with Mercury/PolyGram Records.
Who were the main members of Cinderella?
The core lineup was Tom Keifer on lead vocals and guitar, Eric Brittingham on bass, Jeff LaBar on guitar, and Fred Coury on drums. Keifer and Brittingham were founding members.
How successful was their debut album?
Their 1986 debut Night Songs reached No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and went triple platinum. At its peak it was reportedly selling 50,000 copies a week.
How many albums did Cinderella release?
They put out four studio albums: Night Songs (1986), Long Cold Winter (1988), Heartbreak Station (1990), and Still Climbing (1994). No new material followed after 1994.
What are their best-known songs?
Fan favorites include Nobody’s Fool, Somebody Save Me, Gypsy Road, Coming Home, Shelter Me, and the radio hit Don’t Know What You Got (Till It’s Gone).
How did their sound change over the years?
They started in glam metal, then moved toward a blues rock sound. Long Cold Winter signaled that shift in 1988, and 1990’s Heartbreak Station leaned further into Keifer’s love of the blues.
What genre is Cinderella usually filed under?
They are commonly described as glam metal, hard rock, and blues rock, with elements of roots music and a strong ballad streak.
Which big acts did they tour with?
They opened for David Lee Roth for about five months in 1987 and spent seven months supporting Bon Jovi’s Slippery When Wet Tour.
Did Cinderella play any major festivals?
Yes. In 1989 they performed at the Moscow Music Peace Festival alongside Ozzy Osbourne, Scorpions, Mötley Crüe, and Skid Row.
What happened to Tom Keifer’s voice?
Keifer suffered vocal cord paralysis in 1991 and needed multiple surgeries for a vocal cyst and a hemorrhage. The problem delayed Still Climbing and recurred in 2008, temporarily halting performances.
Did any early members leave before the band got famous?
Yes. Original guitarist Michael Schermick and drummer Tony Destra reportedly left in 1985 to form Britny Fox, before Cinderella hit the big time.
How many records has Cinderella sold?
The band sold roughly 15 million records worldwide over its career.
Is Cinderella still together?
They played their final shows during the 2014 Monsters of Rock Cruise. In November 2017 Keifer confirmed there would be no reunion, saying issues between the members were beyond repair.
What happened to guitarist Jeff LaBar?
LaBar had been Cinderella’s guitarist since 1985. He died in July 2021 at the age of 58.
