Musicopedia: Cher

Definitely one of the most charismatic women in show business (and one with the highest amount of surgical interferences so even Heidi Montag can't compare...) and still on top of her competition. Wondering, what she will shock her fans with next, but it is always a pleasure to listen to her songs no matter what decade they are from. We all remember her walking half naked on board of marine ship singing in front thousands of marine officers or dressed up as Elvis in on of her videos. No matter what she does or what she wears she's a perfect chameleon and performer. A true star was born as Cherilyn Sarkisian, but we all know her by Cher.

Starting in the early 60s, her career went through Sonny & Cher duo, movie roles, tv shows and glamorous solo singer career she expanded after breaking up with Sonny Bono. Her stage presence changed with each record or project so it was hard to keep track with star's changing looks. One thing's for sure - she knew how to get attention in her very little attire.
But, that's the Cher we all know and love. She sold millions of albums worldwide, has a successful movie carreer (Mask, Mermaids, Silkwood, Good Times) and also TV appearances (Will & Grace and her own tv shows). Movie Moonstruck brought Oscar Academy Award for Cher for best supporting role, but Cher was also nominated for her other roles. She was also awarded with Golden Globes awards as well as Emmy Awards. Her beginning as the solo artist was not much of a success at first, but after The Sonny & Cher Show everything turned out perfectly apart from her marriage to Sonny Bono that ended after 13 years together. Shortly after that she was married to Gregg Allmann from Allmann Brothers Band but that didn't last either. She was romancitally linked to many men in show business.Well, still is.

Sonny & Cher released their first album around summer of 1965 that brought one of their most memorable songs I Got You Babe. By the time Cher was only 19 years old and their singles were top rated on most music charts. With increasing popularity the duo recieved many tv invitations and travelled the world touring. Even Cher herself released a successful solo albums that made it to top in Billboard charts. However, uprising new wave and psychodelic rock genres were significant danger to their soft pop-rock-folkish music style. As quick as they peaked the top they fell down. As a solution they decided to travel around resorts and entertain people which led them to audition in talent contests. The couple landed their first tv gig and debuted their very first tv show The Sonny & Cher Witty Gritty Hour. The show impressed CBS enough to give them primetime with Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour where they hosted Tina Turner, Steve Martin, The Supremes and many more great artists of all time. The show itself was a hit and Cher was honored with the Emmy Award. As their tv career sprung the duo went back to the music studio working successfully on new top rated singles. Cher followed her gut by chasing a dream of becoming a solo artist and in the end she and Sonny Bono parted ways professionally and personally. Her solo album Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves was full of great hit songs and so were her next recordings. Cher was an often guest in tabloids around the country that commented on her personal fasion style as she turned out to be trendsetter of belly buttons and ecclectic, hippie style to it. She was also named the worst dressed for three decades in a row. She still holds the record.

Cher's passion for music was changed into passion for acting and her movie roles gained a lot of positive feedback from the critics. She's still making movies, however her latest flick Burlesque had such a terrible plot, not even Cher's singing could save it.

In 1999 she released her best selling single and recording in history Believe. Despite hitting retirement for 3 years after her Farewell Tour, Cher came back in business with a series of Las Vegas performances with the famous Caesar's Palace that lasted from 2008 to Feb 2011. She proved she still got it, despite being over 60 years old. She still holds a record for #1 single in each decade since the 60s on at least one Billboard chart. For her Burlesque song You Haven't Seen The Last of Me she was awarded for best original song with Golden Globe award.

Apart from complicated personal life, the deep contralto voice singer still amazes when on stage and many recent 'artist' could look to her on how to perform without dressing like a Mickey Mouse.

Let's recall some great songs and performances from Cher (then and now)!

Early Cher ...

Cher back in a day...

Cher in 2008 (this is how you perform at the age over 60...)

xx,

Kasia