Cinderella

Cinderella was founded in 1983, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Tom Keifer (singer / songwriter / guitarist / keyboardist) and Eric Brittingham (bassist), who soon added Tony Destra (drummer) and guitarist Michael Shermick (A.K.A Michael Kelly-Smith). Cinderella performed in clubs and bars in Pennsylvania and New Jersey and in 1985 was discovered by Jon Bon Jovi who caught one of their shows at the Empire Rock Club. That same year, Shermick and Destra left Cinderella and joined the band Britny Fox; Jeff LaBar (guitarist) and Jim Drnec (Drummer) filled their places. Cinderella signed with Mercury and recorded (using studio drummer Jody Cortez) their debut album, Night Songs, released in 1986. Shortly after the recording Fred Coury (former London Drummer) became Cinderella’s new drummer. Even though the record was not an immediate success it eventually went triple platinum.

In 1988, Cinderella released their second album titled Long Cold Winter. They toured extensively and joined the likes of Bon Jovi, The Scorpions, Ozzy Osbourne and Skid Row in the Moscow Music Peace Festival. This record too achieved triple platinum and was able to get in the top ten. Cinderella’s third album, Heartbreak Station, was released in 1990. Though the album was able to become platinum it was not as well received as the previous records. After the tour Fred Coury left the band, Kevin Conway eventually filled the place. But worst for the band than lacking a drummer, was that Keifer lost his voice and was forced to undergo a couple of surgeries and to follow extensive therapy. By the time Cinderella was able to emerge with their fourth album, Still Climbing (1994), it was too late and Mercury dropped them leading to the band breaking up in 1995.

In 1997, Cinderella reunited and toured in the United States the next year. The band released their album Once Upon a … and appeared at the Key Club in Hollywood, recording the show for an album, Live at the Key Club. And though they were signed by Sony they were soon dropped by the label. Still faithful to their supporting fans they went on tour on 2000 and 2002. In 2005 Mercury Records released the compilation 'Rocked, Wired & Bluesed: The Greatest Hits' on CD and DVD.