How can you possibly describe Cher? Called the Queen of Reinvention for a reason, the septuagenarian has dominated charts and screens for over half a century, constantly shifting genres not in service of the trends, but for her art. No other artist has seen so much success as both a soloist and as half a duo, or has stumbled into controversy so often despite not seeking it out. From her secret rock band to the song that caused her fall out with the Catholic Church, here are Cher’s best moments through the decades.
Pre-show rituals, 1964
By 1964, Cher and Salvatore “Sonny” Bono had only known each other for two years. Cher was just 18, while Sonny was 29, but the pair’s friendship opened doors for the young singer in Hollywood, allowing her to sing back-up for the Ronettes, the Righteous Brothers and Darlene Love.
And they called it puppy love, 1965
Sonny and Cher would later become one of the most recognisable duos in the music business, but not many people know that they originally released music under another name. In 1964, they released a string of singles as Caesar and Cleo, from The Letter to Do You Wanna Dance, and even secured a record deal with Reprise Records.
I got you babe, 1966
Baby Don’t Go was the first single the pair released under the updated name of Sonny and Cher, and it kicked off their superstar trajectory, which would define the second half of the 60s. After the number one single I Got You Babe was released in 1965, their album Look At Us spent eight weeks at the number two spot on the Billboard chart.
Browsing the hits, 1966
1966 was Sonny and Cher’s year. The couple toured all of the era’s biggest television programs, from the Ed Sullivan Show and American Bandstand to Top of the Pops and Shindig!. They headed into the year with five of their singles in the Billboard top 20 at once, a record that was only surpassed at the time by Elvis Presley, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.
Going for gold at Hollywood Bowl, 1966
In April of 1966, Sonny and Cher released their hotly-anticipated follow-up to Look at Us, entitled The Wondrous World of Sonny & Cher. The album saw the pair lean into the adventurous fashion that would soon become Cher’s trademark, with both dressing in animal skins and Cher going barefoot, while Sonny opted for knee-high caveman boots.
Monkey business, 1967
In 1979, Sonny and Cher were offered the prize final float position in the Tournament of Roses Parade, the big event that follows the Rosebowl in Los Angeles. However, when the duo publicly supported the young people being arrested during the Sunset Strip hippie riots, they lost the privilege and with it the approval of the establishment, even as they tried to cement the respect of the burgeoning hippie community.
Give her a round of a-paws, 1968
Unfortunately, Sonny and Cher’s meteoric rise to fame stalled by 1968, as their straight-edge lifestyle and pop-heavy easy listening approach to music put them more and more out of step with the youth of the swinging 60s. As psychedelic rock began to dominate the charts, the duo’s album sales dried up, and the pair paused their hectic touring and release schedule to strategise about their next move.
Reflecting on fame, 1968
Sonny Bono’s first plan to boost the pair’s image was with a film career. He arranged starring roles for them both in Columbia Picture’s Good Times, and, when that flopped, Bono wrote and produced Chastity as a Cher vehicle. Unfortunately, both projects were a failure, and the proposed sequel to Good Times was sold to MGM, where it was released starring Elvis Presley and Nancy Sinatra instead.
Lyin’ around, 1969
With their star power dwindling more steadily than ever, Bono became ever more protective of the duo’s image and dynamic. He made the choice to court a Las Vegas audience, getting a residency at a popular theatre and creating a show that emphasised Cher’s glamour and confidence, pitching himself as the down to Earth everyman who patiently endured her jokes and playful teasing.
Lime green dream, 1970
Bono’s final plan for continued success was a pivot to TV. In 1970, the duo starred in their first television special, The Nitty Gritty Hour, which combined slapstick comedy with skits and live music. Much to everyone’s surprise, the critics loved it, and both performers were immediately asked to guest host or appear on several different TV shows, from The New Scooby-Doo Movies to The Merv Griffin Show.
Getting ahead, 1972
Bono’s final gamble paid off in a big way. Head of CBS Fred Silverman was watching the pair’s career and, after seeing them win over audience after audience with their guest hosting skills, decided to give them their own star vehicle. The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour debuted in the summer of 1971 and was an immediate hit, being transferred to a prime-time slot after just a couple of episodes and quickly cracking the ratings top ten.
Sisters on the red carpet, 1973
Across The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour’s four seasons, the show received 15 Emmy nominations, as well as winning one for direction. This success also led to a temporary revival of interest in the duo’s recording career, which they capitalised on with the album All I Ever Need Is You. The album yielded two top ten hits: the lead single All I Ever Need Is You and A Cowboy’s Work Is Never Done.
Laverne Lashinski, 1974
Despite their TV success, Sonny and Cher’s joint musical career continued to flail in the 70s. However, 1974 was the year that Cher truly found success in her own right, with the release of her album Dark Lady. Dark Lady was produced by Snuff Garrett rather than Bono, and it served as evidence that he understood Cher’s appeal and brand far more than her longtime husband and collaborator.
Float like a butterfly, sing like a dream, 1974
Dark Lady’s eponymous lead single claimed the number one spot on the Billboard charts, and the album was certified gold quickly thereafter. This success came hot on the heels of Cher’s 1973 solo album Half-Breed, which also led with a number one single and got gold status immediately. This success was record-breaking, and cemented Cher as the female artist with the most number-one singles in United States history.
Diva on the dancefloor, 1977
By 1975, Sonny and Cher had broken up and finalised their divorce, following a very public split in which Cher accused her collaborator of controlling her image, withholding money from her, and even lying to her about her earnings. This professional spat was compounded by a custody battle for their child, Chaz Bono. After the split, both halves of the former duo announced their own solo variety shows: The Sonny Comedy Revue and a show simply called Cher.
Allman, all woman, 1977
Though critics predicted that Sonny’s variety show would be the one to succeed, it was abruptly cancelled after just six weeks. Cher’s show, on the other hand, was an immediate smash hit, with the first episode featuring performances and appearances from megastars like Flip Wilson, Elton John and Bette Midler. The show received four Emmy nominations in its first year, and finished in the top 25 highest-rating shows of the season.
Incognito at the airport, 1977
Cher and Sonny finally parted ways in 1975, but continued to work together in a rebooted Sonny and Cher Show, becoming the first-ever divorced couple to have a program together on television. Just four days after the divorce was finalised, Cher married rocker Greg Allman, while bantering with Sonny about her first failed marriage in front of a live studio audience. She also released the ill-advised album Two the Hard Way with Allman, a project which attempted but failed to bring together their contrasting styles.
Motorcycle madness, 1977
From the outside, Cher appeared to be riding high. She had an amicable relationship with her ex-husband, two hit TV shows, a rockstar boyfriend, and a doll so popular that it outsold Barbie in 1976. However, all was not what it seemed. Just nine days after marrying Allman, Cher filed for divorce due to his substance abuse issues, while backlash to her new indulgent lifestyle and relationship flightiness led to the Sonny and Cher show being cancelled for good.
Back to basics, 1977
