UAWIL #288: Cinderella - Night Songs

UAWIL #288: Cinderella - Night Songs

From The Ugly American Werewolf in London Rock Podcast by Mac B.

June 4, 2026 · 1h 24m · Season 1 · Episode 288

About this episode

This episode discusses Cinderella's debut album 'Night Songs' and their impact on the 80s rock scene.

Cinderella came out of the gritty streets of Philadelphia by writing hookey riffs, shout along choruses and a fun, glammy stage show. Gene Simmons tried to get them signed but it was Jon Bon Jovi who would convince his label Mercury to get them a record contract. Led by lead singer/songwriter/lead guitarist Tom Keifer, Cinderella had hard riffs and a Sunset Strip performance style that made them perfect for MTV in the mid- to late-80s. Their debut album Night Songs landed in June of 1986 and laid the foundation for more platinum albums and MTV airplay. Keifer's raspy voice can lead big sing-a-long rockers like Shake Me or Somebody Save Me or can sing a lament like Nobody's Fool. His friend Eric Brittingham provides the steady bass and Jeff LaBar lays textures against Keifer's hard riffs and trades a few licks. On the record, drums were provided by veteran studio musician Jody Cortez, though Fred Coury was brought in just in time to make the album cover (don't get Jackson started) and joined the band. Yes, their lyrics are mostly banal and cliched sexual conquests but they were of a time and Cinderella may have done that sleazy 80s rock made famous by Motley Crue and Guns N Roses…

More episodes of The Ugly American Werewolf in London Rock Podcast

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the The Ugly American Werewolf in London Rock Podcast podcast page.