Lou Albano
July 29, 1933 – October 14, 2009
Captain Lou Albano was a world famous WWF wrestler who helped professional wrestling crossover to the mainstream, thanks in part to his appearances in Cyndi Lauper’s popular music videos during the ’80s. His towering image appeared in Lauper’s videos for “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” “She Bop,” and “Time After Time,” as well as “The Goonies ‘R’ Good Enough.” WWF leader, Vince McMahon capitalized on Albano’s pop music presence by creating the Rock ‘n Wrestling storyline which culminated in a wrestling “showdown” between Lauper and Albano after he “upset” her for claiming he was her manager, thereby orchestrating her success. After “losing” to Lauper, Albano publicly apologized, endearing him to wrestling fans around the world. He became the voice of the Rock ‘n Wrestling campaign. That, along with Hulkamania helped turn professional wrestling into the pop culture phenomenom it has since become. In 1983, Albano dueted on NRBQ’s tribute to him, “Captain Lou.” Lou Albano passed away on October 14, 2009 at the age of 76.