Cher

Cherilyn Sarkisian La Piere was born May 20th, 1946, in El Centro, California. The surprisingly shy youngster was the daughter of a struggling actress mother, and a father that left Cher and her mother when she was three years old. Poor, and looking to pursue an acting career, Cher headed for LA at age 16, leaving behind her family and her chances of obtaining a high school diploma. In 1963, destiny changed for Cher when she and music producer Sonny Bono had a chance encounter at a coffee shop. The two became friends and eventually moved in together, despite the 11-year age difference between them. By the time they sang their hit, "I Got You, Babe", the pair were lovers, and the song became a theme song for hippie lovebirds everywhere. Before hitting it big with "I Got You, Babe", Sonny and Cher performed in venues such as bowling alleys, under the name Caesar and Cleo. Cher's solo recordings under the monikers Bonnie Jo Mason and Cherilyn were also ill-fated attempts, and Sonny and Cher only saw stardom once they sang the 1965 Bono-penned love song. Known as much for their groovy attire as for their following hits, "Baby Don't Go" and "Just You", Sonny and Cher's stardom was short-lived. They had one more hit in 1967, "The Beat Goes On", before getting married in 1969 and disappearing into 60's pop culture. From 1975 to 1978 Cher released a series of unsuccessful albums: Stars, I'd Rather Believe in You and Cherished.Their overall television success, though brief, was unique because variety programming in general was no longer attracting viewers, other than The Carol Burnett Show. In 1991, Cher completed her Geffen recording contract by releasing the album Love Hurts. This album had a big impact in Europe and in the rest of the world, particularly in the UK where it debuted at #1 and stayed there for 6 consecutive weeks. Unlike her previous two records, Love Hurts received less attention in the United States where it was certified gold; in European countries, the album was certified multi-platinum. The European cover of the album was different from the American release, featuring Cher lying on a white background wearing a red wig. At age 50, she released an album, mainly of covers, titled It's a Man's World. The album was released in Europe at the end of 1995, while in North America in the summer of 1996. The album sparked two European hits "Walking in Memphis" and "One by One". It's a Man's World was a moderate success, with more than three million copies worldwide; however, Cher's sales in the United States were limited.Cher in the dance remix music video for "One by One". Cher was in London, England in January 1998 when a call from her daughter Chastity brought her the shocking news of Sonny Bono's death in a skiing accident. He was 62. Photographed in tears as she dashed through Heathrow Airport back to Los Angeles, California, the media seemingly appointed Cher as his widow, even though they had been apart for 24 years and each had re-married since (Sonny twice). At the time of his death, Sonny Bono, by then a popular California Congressman, was married to his fourth wife, Mary Bono. Nonetheless, Cher accepted an invitation to deliver the eulogy. The funeral, unbeknownst to Cher, was broadcast live on CNN. In front of millions, she tearfully and effusively praised the man who had been a father figure, friend, partner, lover, husband, and antagonist. The Do You Believe? Tour continued throughout 2000 and became her most successful tour to that time. In May 2000, Cher was presented with the Lifelong Contribution to the Music Industry Award, at the World Music Awards.