ABSTRACT
Born Salvatore Bono, 16 Feb 1935; Cherilyn Sarkasian LaPier, 20 May 1946. When Flower Power was in bloom in the mid-1960s, Sonny and Cher were America’s musical sweethearts. While their ersatz bohemian garb lent them a goofy look, they parlayed Sonny’s songwriting and arranging skills and Cher’s rich vocals into an act so endearing that two decades later, momentarily reunited, they were emplored to reprise their signature tune, “I Got You Babe” (Atco #6359, 1965) on the David Letterman show. (VHI rated it one of rock’s “100 Greatest Moments.”) Sonny met Cher while he was working for producer Phil Spector, and she was singing background for the Ronettes. Love ensued, but chart success did not come immediately. They first recorded as Caesar and Cleo for Vault, and later Reprise, but were unsuccessful. However, it took new label Atco and a name change to bring them success, beginning in 1965 with “Baby Don’t Go”(1965) and then through a string of hits, culminating in 1967’s “The Beat Goes On.” After that, the duo unexpectedly dropped from popularity and resorted to working as a lounge act during the early 1970s. However, they made a comeback beginning in 1972, hosting a popular television show through most of the decade, even after their marriage failed. Sonny was a Republican congressman when he died of injuries from a skiing accident at 62; Cher remains a diva of international magnitude-she performed in an over-the-top supposed “farewell con-cert” in 2003.
