Cher: The night I took a drunken John Lennon to the Playboy mansion – and he stripped stark naked in front of me in the infamous secret Grotto

As I delve into the captivating memoirs of Cher, I find myself utterly spellbound by her extraordinary journey through life. The resilience and tenacity she has shown, despite facing numerous challenges, is truly inspiring. Her ability to bounce back from adversity, reinvent herself, and continue to shine brightly is a testament to her indomitable spirit.

On a Sunday evening, I strolled into an Italian eatery in LA, where I unexpectedly encountered John Lennon and his companion Harry Nilsson. They invited me to escort them to Hugh Hefner’s residence for a movie gathering that very night.

‘John’s dying to see the Playboy Mansion,’ Harry pleaded.

Hef held parties all the time, many of which became notorious as drunken orgies with some of the Playmates, but his Sunday movie nights were calm and casual affairs for friends to enjoy cocktails and dinner before watching a new release.

On that particular night in 1974, I found myself with a free schedule, so I agreed to chauffeur them to Hef’s. However, I discovered too belatedly that they were more intoxicated than I had initially assumed. The crowd was roughly fifty strong, and as the movie was on the verge of commencing, these two began imitating aristocratic English accents and shouted, ‘Hef! Hef! Hef!’ but it sounded more like ‘Huff! Huff! Huff!’ due to their peculiar enunciation.

Mortified, I could tell Hef was starting to get annoyed.

I said, “Let’s halt that, please.” Then I invited them, making it seem as if I was guiding two teenage lads, much like a mother would.

Laughing and stumbling together, John and Harry exited with me towards the gardens. Upon seating them inside the well-known grotto – a large cave-like structure where one end of the pool entered – I went to fetch a drink. When I returned, they were standing in the center of the grotto, still submerged in the water, but thankfully not fully exposed.

I exclaimed, “This isn’t pleasant, what I’m witnessing,” as they began to exit the pool. “Folks, could you all stay submerged for a moment?

Despite my efforts to suppress laughter, it proved challenging when they joked about exploring the manor barefoot. It seemed an endless task returning them to their garments; it felt akin to managing tipsy individuals.

As a lifestyle connoisseur, I’ve frequently visited the iconic Playboy Mansion, and my daughter Chastity, now grown, has always held a special bond with its legendary resident, Hef. Ever since her infancy at five, she has cherished him as a beloved figure in her life. In fact, when she was born, he presented her with an imposing, life-sized lion statue that stood proudly in the corner of her bedroom within our expansive Bel-Air mansion, which Sonny and I had acquired from the esteemed Tony Curtis.

At the second residence where we dwelled, it was nothing short of breathtaking. It boasted a grand gatehouse, a spacious former stable tack room, equestrian paths, and a staff quarters as expansive as another house.

In my vision, Chastity’s room was transformed into what I envisioned as the perfect fairy tale space for a young girl, adorned in soft shades of pink and white, complete with a canopy bed made of wrought-iron and draped with delicate white netting. The walls were decorated with charming figures of tiny men playing musical instruments in a delightful pastel hue.

As she grew older, she confided in me that she disliked the color pink. She added that everyone’s taste is unique, since from a young age, she considered the tack room to be her favorite spot, which she affectionately referred to as ‘Dracula’s Hideout’. Quite intriguing, isn’t it?

Hef’s house was also like heaven for her, a place where she could have ice cream served to her by a waiter in the Grotto.

In our trips there, everything was completely harmless, so I was devastated when my husband Sonny shifted strategies during our divorce proceedings by seeking full custody of Chas and alleging that I’m an unfit mother. His argument primarily focused on a time when I took Chas to Hef’s to view his pet monkeys and play in the pool.

If there hadn’t been anything suspicious happening, I wouldn’t have brought her along, and the prospect of potentially losing custody of Chas made me extremely anxious.

Back in May of 1974, we were called to the Santa Monica court for a hearing regarding a fresh element of our divorce case. Fortunately, the judge ruled in my favor, resulting in Sonny spending even fewer hours with Charlie thereafter.

Surprised by his question, Sonny inquired, “So you’re actually planning on doing that?” To which I responded, “Absolutely not, Sonny. You’re free to visit her whenever you wish.” In no way would I prevent our child from spending time with their best friend.

In October of 1972, I chose to part ways with Sonny, ending our pursuit at the Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas. Shortly thereafter, I began a romantic involvement with a 21-year-old guitarist from our band, named Bill.

After those passing weeks, I embraced the self-reliant lifestyle I had yearned for so deeply. I felt alive and relished the freedom to express myself through my wardrobe choices, no longer needing Sonny’s approval to dress as I pleased.

On weekends when I had some free time, not too frequently due to my work commitments, Bill used to visit me at the Malibu residence I was temporarily living in, by flying over.

Previously, there was a plan for us to catch a film, and he inquired, “Which movie would you prefer?” This question took me by surprise because Sonny had never posed such a question before. Our activities were usually based on what he desired.

In early 1973, my connection with Bill came to an end as he desired to marry and relocate me to Texas with him.

For many years, I’ve been in a marriage that spanned my entire adult life, but now I’m not certain about remarrying. Later on, someone inquired if I had left Sonny because of another man, to which I replied, ‘No. I actually departed from him for another woman – myself.’

Apart from spending my weekends with Bill, I continued to reside primarily with Sonny in our spacious home, ensuring ample time with Chas. Interestingly, the house boasted two master suites located in separate wings, making our living arrangement more convenient than expected.

In December 1973, our friendship was rekindling, but things took a turn when I started dating David Geffen, a prominent figure in the music world who was both intelligent and significantly more influential than Sonny. David was the kindest boyfriend I had ever encountered, always taking great care of me, which was simply his nature.

On Valentine’s Day, following our meeting, I went to my vehicle after shopping on Rodeo Drive and discovered a present-wrapped bag hanging from my steering wheel. Upon opening it, I found a Cartier box containing an astonishing diamond bracelet and a heartfelt note from David.

I came very close to shedding tears. That special Valentine’s Day gift was the first one I had ever received, and his thoughtfulness in slipping it into my car as a surprise truly touched me. It reminded me of how he consistently ensured that my car had enough gas.

Sonny and I had never marked Valentine’s Day on our calendar, and I didn’t pay much attention to the specific day. Despite him gifting me costly jewelry, it seemed more about flaunting his wealth in front of others rather than expressing genuine affection towards me.

Despite the pain of our separation, it didn’t affect our on-stage chemistry. We continued to produce our hit show, The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour, for CBS. However, when they were considering renewing the contract for another season, David took a closer look at the agreement that Sonny and our attorney, Irwin Spiegel, had prepared during our partnership.

As an ardent devotee, I can’t help but recount my tale of woe, a tale where I found myself ensnared in an unspoken bond of service. A company named Cher Enterprises was the stage for this drama, with Sonny holding a staggering 95% stake and Irwin claiming the rest. In this grand production, I was but a humble extra, devoid of the power to sign a check or withdraw funds without their authorization. Beyond that, my role required Sonny’s consent before I could take a single step forward.

In a state of fervent enthusiasm, I inquired about the mysterious disappearance of my savings while our bond remained unbroken. To this, he casually responded, “I had always anticipated your departure.

As he wouldn’t adjust the contract, I convinced CBS not to extend it, thereby cancelling season four that was scheduled to begin in the autumn of 1974. Essentially, I gave up the show to preserve my own position.

After a short time, Sonny informed me that I needed to leave our large home, leading me to stay with David temporarily. Later in the same year, he asked for my hand in marriage, which I agreed to. However, come the next January, I realized I wasn’t prepared to marry so quickly following my divorce from Sonny, so I declined his proposal.

It’s possible that he believed I might alter my stance, but by the end of that year, I found myself in a relationship with Gregory Allman, one of the founding members of the iconic rock band The Allman Brothers.

Initially, folks cautioned me about Gregory using drugs, yet I chose to ignore their advice. I observed that he always wore long-sleeved garments, even while sleeping, but he explained it away as excessive sweating, which I accepted. At a certain point, someone said to me, ‘If you’re on heroin, then you’re not having sex.’ So, I thought, ‘Then he must not be using heroin!’

In time, he finally admitted that during his drug-using period, he behaved quite differently. However, when he wasn’t on drugs, he showed a gentle, compassionate nature that made me believe I could help him overcome his addiction.

In the unfolding of daily life, I found myself unsure about the durability of my bond with Gregory. However, one momentous day in June 1975, a surprising revelation emerged – I discovered I was expecting a child. This discovery prompted us to make the commitment to build our future together and we decided to get married.

After wrapping up the event in mere moments, we swiftly returned home by air. Following this, with advice from my attorney that simply entering the main entrance and remaining inside were sufficient steps, I resumed living at the grand residence.

Amazingly, by the time of our wedding, Sonny, who was in a relationship with his assistant, hadn’t taken any action to prevent it, and just a few days later, someone came to retrieve their belongings. The day after our wedding, Gregory had to resume touring, and upon waking up, I found him gone but left behind his toiletries bag. Inside, there was a plastic bag filled with white powder.

When such events occur, they reveal the resilience of a bond, and unfortunately, our bond wasn’t robust enough. Within just nine days, we found ourselves initiating divorce proceedings.

As I navigated through the exciting journey of pregnancy, an unexpected discovery was made during one of my check-ups – my caring physician found some ovarian cysts within me.

He assured me that he could handle the situation, implying that his familiarity with me over the years meant he wouldn’t keep quiet if there were any real dangers involved. Instead of warning me about potential hazards, he simply stated, ‘These are cysts, and I need to remove them.’

It was clear enough to me what his suggestion implied, since I recalled my four-month long confinement to bed during my pregnancy with Chas, only allowing car rides for check-ups.

On Monday, I had to show up at work.

It proved more challenging as I lacked someone like Gregory to confide in about the matter, but I stood firm with my choice. I am deeply appreciative of my doctor’s empathy in providing me with a solution.

Shortly thereafter, Gregory explained to reporters that our divorce was due to a misunderstanding and that it would not proceed. However, by this point, I had already moved on but then he entered rehab in Buffalo, New York. I received a call from two psychiatrists informing me that they had never encountered someone more committed to overcoming their addiction. Despite my conflicting emotions, I withdrew the divorce petition and chose to give him another opportunity.

In Los Angeles, I made my way back to the studio to film the second season of my series titled “Cher,” however, we faced an extraordinary challenge with the phenomenal success of “The Six Million Dollar Man,” a popular science fiction show airing concurrently.

Even with my utmost efforts, the ratings dropped, followed by the revelation that I was expecting another child from Gregory, just a few months after our wedding in Vegas. The news of Gregory, the impending baby, and not having David all hit me at once. In a moment of need, I reached out to Sonny, the one who’d truly understand, and proposed we collaborate on a fresh Sonny & Cher TV show together.

In an unprecedented turn of events, I found myself returning to co-star in a television show alongside my former spouse, all while expecting a child from my current husband – who was a recovering heroin addict, had divorced me once, and had been absent from my life. Remarkably, Sonny managed to arrange this with CBS, and The Sonny & Cher Show made its debut in February 1976.

The initial episode would rank among the most-viewed TV programs in American history, comparable to the “Who Shot JR?” episode of Dallas. Reflecting on those shows now, I’m astonished at how humorously we managed to entertain despite our divorce. It might be due to our divorce that we could still make each other laugh.

On Chas’s seventh birthday in March, the festivities were filled with joy and excitement, just as expected. For her party themed around monsters, she decided to dress up as a boy, something she enjoyed doing frequently. That day, I noticed for the first time that she had started adopting Sonny’s slow, lumbering gait. What a striking resemblance to the original!

I felt incredibly proud of Chas for persevering through our divorce, my marriage with Gregory, pregnancy, and the hardships that followed. Although I realized it couldn’t have been simple, I also acknowledged that due to my demanding work commitments, I wasn’t able to provide as much support and guidance during those challenging times as I had wished.

The positive development was her enthusiasm for the newborn, our lovely child Elijah, who made his arrival in July.

Following his birth, daily routines resumed: Gregory hit the road again while I returned to my studio. Before long, Chas and I relocated to a spacious Spanish-style abode in Beverly Hills, complete with a swimming pool.

In March of 1977, Sonny and I performed together for the final time on “The Sonny & Cher Show”. Unfortunately, CBS chose not to renew our contract, but despite our disappointment, we took great pride in the accomplishments we achieved during our tenure.

After our separation, it seems like Sonny has moved on with multiple new partners, yet he frequently found himself unfaithful – a pattern that was also evident in our marriage. It appears to be an inherent trait for him not to resist such behavior.

One time a girlfriend of his found out and ended things. He never expected that. He showed up on my doorstep in tears.

While seated in my kitchen, he confessed, “I’m deeply sorry for my actions towards you. I was untruthful, involved with multiple women, and didn’t consider the impact on our relationship. I now understand that I lost Sarah because I persisted in repeating old habits, despite your warnings. I inflicted pain on both of us, and I offer this apology sincerely.” Hearing an apology like that from him was unexpected. Though it can’t undo anything, it brought a sense of relief knowing that he finally grasped the harm his actions caused and genuinely regretted them.

Eventually, he and Sarah got back together and married, with Chas as a bridesmaid.

On occasions when Gregory could make it, we’d have delightful visits. However, one day Chas shared with me that after picking her up from school, he took her to a bar. This news made me both enraged and relieved she’d told me about it. I concealed my wrath and instead said reassuringly, “Don’t fret, sweetheart.

Reflecting on the past, it’s clear now that my persistence with Gregory was perhaps a touch excessive. Repeating actions in anticipation of different outcomes might be characterized as madness. I can be determined and strong-willed, traits that have served me well by not giving up – yet they can also lead to difficulties. They’ve brought me this far, but at times, one must recognize when it’s time to call it quits.

My primary concerns revolved around my career and my kids. Chas, ever the sweet soul, displayed maturity beyond her years. She leaned more towards tomboyish attire, favoring jeans and T-shirts over frilly girlish clothing. I wasn’t fussy about what she wore, as long as it maintained a presentable appearance.

As academic difficulties cropped up for her, professionals ultimately identified her as dyslexic, leading her to attend a specialized school (which she found unappealing). Upon reviewing literature on dyslexia that was provided to me, I couldn’t help but think, “Well, this resonates with my own experiences.

As a child, there were no tests for dyslexia and I hadn’t even heard the word until Chas received his diagnosis. However, it made so much sense once I learned about it. The key difference was that help was available to Chas through systems in place that weren’t accessible to me during my childhood. It felt like a long-standing mystery from my past had finally been solved.

A remnant from my early years that has persisted is my initial passion for acting. While I graced the stage of The Sonny & Cher Show, I was aware that this didn’t necessarily convince others that I could command respect as a serious actress.

For a span of five years, I persistently yet discreetly attempted every method at my disposal to secure genuine acting jobs, but alas, no agent would take me under their wing for theatrical representation. This proved crushing for an individual who once graced the cover of Time magazine.

In simpler terms, when I was socializing with my peers who were excelling in their respective fields, I didn’t feel comfortable asking them for a job opportunity. You can’t ask someone you’re having dinner with for a job. Instead, if we happened to be hanging out socially with agents or producers, I would listen attentively and subtly show interest, asking about their current projects, hoping to find an opening for auditions. However, there were rarely any opportunities available.

Jack Nicholson consented to assist me in arranging a meeting with Mike Nichols, who was working alongside him and Warren Beatty on their upcoming film titled “The Fortune.” Jack facilitated the introduction, and I visited Mike’s office. Mike wasn’t rude, but he candidly expressed, ‘There are two types of women for this character, and you’re not the type I require.’ He was considerate in his rejection, yet straightforward. There were no additional remarks like, ‘If a future role arises for you, Cher, I’ll get in touch,’ or anything of that nature. The outcome was a straight refusal.

In a mix of emotions, I found unexpected boldness and asserted myself against my timid nature by telling Mike Nichols, a renowned Oscar-winning director, “I’m quite talented, and someday you’ll regret it.” After saying that to Mike, I spun around and left.

The following meeting I secured was with producer Jon Peters for his forthcoming movie, which is a remake of the timeless film “A Star Is Born.” My former manager, Sandy Gallin, informed me during my time at Gregory’s agency that it had been revised to incorporate some narratives from our past experiences together.

As a lifestyle advisor, I recently found myself visiting Jon in his office. Upon arrival, I noticed an unusual aroma, leading me to suspect that our meeting might have served a purpose beyond its stated intention. Regrettably, I later discovered that Barbra Streisand, Jon’s girlfriend, was instrumental in the production of the movie and ultimately secured the role. Her performance was truly commendable, I must add.

Subsequently, I was summoned to Ray Stark’s residence, a prominent producer and another strong advocate for Streisand. Upon seating myself, Mr. Stark, then in his sixties, posed a question that was too vulgar for print during our first encounter.

In an instant, I became deaf, a common occurrence for me during shocking situations. Deep within, there was an overwhelming urge that resonated, ‘You must leave this place immediately.’

Apologetically, I leaped up and exclaimed, ‘Gosh, forgive me! I wasn’t feeling well this morning, but I really wanted our meeting, so I pushed through and came. Unfortunately, I must depart now, as I don’t wish to fall ill on your belongings.’

When he expressed his well-wishes to me, I swiftly left the place. It turned out years later that Jane Seymour disclosed he had inappropriately touched her. Regrettably, this revelation didn’t shock me in the slightest.

• Adapted from Cher: The Memoir, Part One, by Cher (HarperCollins, £25), to be published November 19. © Cher 2024. To order a copy for £22.50 (offer valid until November 23, 2024; UK P&P free on orders over £25) go to mailshop.co.uk/books or call 020 3176 2937.

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2024-11-11 04:52