Knox Chandler, known for his collaborations with influential acts like Depeche Mode, the Psychedelic Furs, R.E.M., and Siouxsie and the Banshees, carved out a distinctive path as a versatile multi-instrumentalist. While his primary instrument is the guitar, Chandler has also made a name for himself through his work with electric cello and orchestral arrangements. Among the many artists he has worked with, one particularly memorable and enduring collaboration stands out—his ten-year working relationship with pop icon Cyndi Lauper.
In a recent interview with Guitar World, Chandler recounted how his musical partnership with Lauper began under less-than-ideal circumstances. In the late 1990s, Chandler was invited by his friend, drummer Sammy Merendino, to contribute to a Lauper recording session. Chandler arrived with his guitar rig and electric cello, only to find that Lauper was running late. Merendino encouraged him to start tracking ideas in her absence, leading Chandler to record over several of her songs before she arrived.
When Lauper finally showed up, she was far from pleased. Chandler remembered the moment vividly, explaining that she was immediately upset they had worked on her music without her input. She insisted she already knew exactly what she wanted him to play and spent the rest of the session directing him note for note. That night, Chandler and Merendino performed at CBGB’s Canteen, the performance space adjacent to the legendary East Village venue, where Lauper unexpectedly showed up again. Still annoyed from earlier, she heckled Chandler throughout the performance. At the time, he believed it would be the last he’d see of her.
But the story quickly took an unexpected turn. Only a couple of weeks later, Chandler received a phone call from Lauper. Much to his surprise, she was full of praise. It turned out Merendino hadn’t deleted Chandler’s earlier, improvised tracks, and after listening back, Lauper ended up loving what he had done. She immediately invited him to Los Angeles for some television appearances that weekend. That moment sparked the beginning of a fruitful and lasting collaboration that spanned a decade.
Chandler reflected warmly on their time working together. He credited Merendino for the opportunity and praised Lauper’s work ethic, describing her as one of the most dedicated vocalists he has ever encountered. Despite their rocky start, the professional bond between them grew strong. “She is a real tough woman who works incredibly hard,” he said, adding that he had never met a singer so devoted to her voice.
With a light-hearted nod to her iconic debut album, Chandler quipped, “Yes, ‘She is so unusual.’” His story offers a glimpse into the unpredictable and often surprising nature of the music world, where one uncomfortable session can blossom into years of creative partnership.
In a related note of musical serendipity, guitarist Eric Bazilian, who contributed to Lauper’s hit “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” recently recalled how Lauper initially struggled to connect with the now-famous track—further evidence of how her instincts and persistence often paid off in the long run.
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