KATRINA & THE WAVES DOING SWIMMINGLY
One of the real pleasures in chronicling the popular music business is in watching the heady excess of overnight stardom. For instance, in the Christmas of 1983 I spent a day with a pleasant young singer, driving down to New Jersey with her for a spot on the Uncle Floyd Show, discussing feminism, lesbianism, rebellion.
KATRINA & THE WAVES DOING SWIMMINGLY
FEATURES
by
Iman Lababedi
One of the real pleasures in chronicling the popular music business is in watching the heady excess of overnight stardom. For instance, in the Christmas of 1983 I spent a day with a pleasant young singer, driving down to New Jersey with her for a spot on the Uncle Floyd Show, discussing feminism, lesbianism, rebellion. A thoroughly enjoyable time. The young singer was Cyndi Lauper.
I’ll admit to arriving to Katrina & The Waves late, hearing “Walking On Sunshine” on the radio— along with, rather than ahead of, the pack. That allowed, I caught on quickly.
Sitting with Katrina & The Waves at Capitol-EMI Records HQ in Manhattan, I feel that usual vicarious thrill. Perhaps more so than the main participants. “The most exciting thing for me was that first day; getting a call telling me ‘Walking On Sunshine’ was at number 82 in the American charts,” lead singer and rhythm guitarist Katrina Leskanich recollects. “I phoned all my relatives and told them. But now, now comes the hard work.
“We won’t see any money until it’s sold 140,000 copies!”