Cher’s rise to stardom and rocky romance with Sonny Bono come into focus in new memoir

As a voracious reader and ardent fan of memoirs that delve deep into the lives of remarkable individuals, I found myself utterly captivated by Cher’s “Cher: The Memoir, Part One.” With her distinctive voice and unapologetic candor, she transported me through the ups and downs of her extraordinary life.

In the black-and-white picture, a young lady with an air of self-assurance beyond her age gazes directly at the camera. Her long, dark hair with bangs forms a beautiful frame around her captivating face: delicate skin, full lips, a prominent nose, and deep eyes that seem both vulnerable yet bold, inviting yet enigmatic, due to their thick eyelashes and makeup.

She is the one and only Cher, an American icon who has long dazzled audiences around the world with her extraordinary singing, acting and comedic chops. She has won an Oscar, a Grammy, an Emmy and was recently inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The personification of female empowerment, Cher has done it her way, whether dating men half her age, topping the Billboard charts in seven consecutive decades, setting fashion trends or wowing TV viewers with her then-husband, Sonny Bono, on “The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour.”

Currently, she has penned down the eagerly anticipated “Cher: The Memoir, Volume 1,” which is the first of a two-part series. Interestingly enough, the captivating woman on the cover of this book is none other than the same one you’ll encounter in its pages – intelligent, compassionate, and intriguing.

Casually, she shares her turbulent upbringing, its ebbs and flows, the relationships – including with music executive David Geffen, following her divorce from Bono, then marrying Gregg Allman, the troubled band member of The Allman Brothers Band, and her joyful moments with Gene Simmons, famously known as “The Demon” from Kiss.

The book spans approximately from her birth until 1980, a time when Cher – a divorced woman twice over and mother of two – stood at a career juncture, pondering her next moves as she contemplated the remaining chapters of her life.

In this heartfelt memoir, I delve into the captivating, tumultuous, nurturing, and volatile relationship between Cher and Sonny – a bond that shaped her transformation from Cherilyn LaPierre Sarkisian to the dazzling icon we know today. Had it not been for Sonny’s encouragement, vision, and determination, the extraordinary talent that is Cher might have remained undiscovered. Conversely, without Cher’s prodigious abilities and ardor, Bono could have easily stayed a peripheral figure in the vibrant world of entertainment.

In her younger days, Cher’s life wasn’t glamorous at all. Born in 1946, she came from a troubled family. Her father, Johnnie Sarkisian, was an unreliable man who left his family soon after her birth, and her mother, Jackie Jean (who later became Georgia), was only 20 when Cher was born. As a result, Cher’s childhood was filled with instability, turmoil, and disorder. In fact, she spent a brief period in an institution for children without fathers and unwed mothers.

Cher’s mother, with her stunning looks that made her a successful model and actor, often landing minor roles on shows like “Gunsmoke” and “I Love Lucy,” had an unconventional pastime: amassing and then letting go of multiple partners. According to Cher, she ended up with seven or eight husbands throughout her life.

At times, Cher, along with her younger sister Georganne and their mother, enjoyed a comfortable life. However, Jackie Jean often found it difficult to provide for them all. They tended to move frequently, primarily within Southern California. Despite these constant changes, Cher – who left her mother’s home at the age of 16 – cultivated determination and adaptability throughout her life.

But her youth wasn’t just doom and gloom.

1956 saw Cher, then a young girl, accompanied by her mother to watch Elvis Presley perform live at the historic Pan-Pacific Auditorium in Los Angeles. This event was more than just an exciting experience; it ignited within her a desire to stand on that stage and bask in the limelight someday.

In another instance, as detailed in her memoir, 15-year-old Cher shared a late-night kiss with Warren Beatty, who was 25 at the time, by his swimming pool. Notably, Cher was wearing Natalie Wood’s bathing suit, Beatty’s co-star and romantic interest in the movie “Splendor in the Grass.

When Bono enters Cher’s life, everything turns into Technicolor.

In the style of a movie straight out of Hollywood, it was in Aldo’s coffee shop in Los Angeles during late 1962 when Cher initially encountered him. This captivating stranger sported a Caesar-style haircut, a mustard shirt, and boots reminiscent of the Beatles – Bono, at 27 years old, had been writing songs since his teenage years. He evoked for Cher memories of her mother’s intriguing friends. Neither Cher nor this man experienced love at first sight.

Over time, Cher started living with Bono more like a helpful roommate who took care of his meals and cleaning. As their bond deepened and Bono’s career ascended, he found an opportunity to work under the enigmatic music producer, Philip Spector, known for his “Wall of Sound” technique. With Bono’s support, Spector invited Cher to lend her voice as a backup singer on tracks by Darlene Love, the Crystals, and the Righteous Brothers’ hit, “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin.

In 1965, Bono and Cher ventured out independently and achieved massive success with their hit single “I Got You Babe.” This song soared to the top of the charts, reaching No. 1. By early 1966, Sonny and Cher had secured a sold-out performance at the Hollywood Bowl.

Yet, much like what Bob Dylan expressed, times were indeed transforming. Bands such as the Doors, Cream, and the Jefferson Airplane emerged, embracing themes of sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll. As a result, Sonny and Cher appeared rather conventional in comparison.

Poor investments, excessive spending, and a decrease in income caused significant financial hardship. In 1969, only weeks after Cher gave birth to their daughter, Chastity (now known as Chaz), Bono informed Cher that they were bankrupt and owed the IRS $270,000. He pleaded for two years, promising to elevate them to new heights. Their challenging journey back to prosperity is one of the book’s most captivating parts.

In smaller venues like dinner theaters, Sonny and Cher performed to audiences of less than 100 people without any major hit records or movies under their belt. One evening, when faced with a heckler, Cher retorted playfully, eliciting laughter from the crowd. Bono joined in on the amusement, and the couple’s interaction grew more lively. Gradually, they crafted a fresh act centered around their witty remarks, jabs, and songs. As a result, people began to attend their shows once more.

The foundation was laid for “The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour,” a show that first aired on CBS in 1971 and ran for three seasons. People tuned in to enjoy Cher’s extravagant skits, fashion, and the appearances of popular stars from the time, as well as the pair’s sharp wit, controversial exchanges, and infectious enthusiasm.

The pairing of the couple was harmonious. Sonny admired Cher’s unique wit, and she appreciated his nurturing nature. Performing together on stage with Sonny, gazing into his eyes as they sang, made Cher feel assured and tranquil.

However, as Cher stated, Sonny exhibited a troubling aspect of his personality. He isolated her from her friends and only allowed her to go out shopping without him. Remarkably, he destroyed her tennis clothes when he found out she had conversed with some men following a private lesson. To add to the distress, he was unfaithful to her repeatedly.

In due time, Cher decided she wanted more, confiding in Bono about her feelings for the band’s guitarist. Subsequently, they carried on their relationship discreetly, maintaining their professional bond and performing together as if nothing had transpired. Cher pens that the chemistry between them on stage was genuine, stating, “Our connection wasn’t a facade; we were always ‘Sonny & Cher’, even when we weren’t Sonny and Cher.

Later on, another shocking revelation unfolded: Cher found out that she was an employee under Bono and their lawyer, which meant they had control over financial matters such as signing checks or withdrawing money without her approval. Overwhelmed by this news, Cher pleaded with CBS not to renew the popular show for its fourth season. Remarkably, they agreed to her request. Shortly after, Cher initiated divorce proceedings.

The rhythm continued, as “The Sonny Comedy Revue” made its debut in October 1974 but was soon taken off the air. In the early months of 1975, “Cher” was launched and proved to be more successful in terms of ratings. Despite this success, Cher felt swamped by having to carry the show on her own.

By now, Cher was married to the drug-dependent Allman and growing increasingly dissatisfied with him. Pregnant, she turned to Sonny for support, proposing a potential reunion of their show. Such was the strength of their connection that pregnant Cher desired to reunite with her first husband while carrying the child of her second husband.

The “Sonny & Cher Show” that aired from 1976 to 1977 had two crossed fingers instead of an ampersand as its symbol. Despite their personal issues, heartaches, and the built-up resentment over time, they managed to bring laughter to audiences, often at each other’s expense. They even embarked on a reunion tour together.

When Cher’s memoir thrives on her accounts of Bono, it somewhat falters during discussions about other relationships. She praises Geffen as a fantastic boyfriend, yet she doesn’t explicitly mention his sexual orientation. Was this information known to her back then? How did their relationship fare if there were any implications due to his sexuality? Why does she choose not to disclose this detail?

In much the same way, her thoughts on Allman seem shallow. It’s puzzling why the generally temperate Cher chose to be involved with a drug addict. What was it about him that appealed to her beyond his physical attractiveness, talent, and ordinary kindness?

These are merely small points to discuss. “Cher: The Memoir, Part One” offers an enjoyable read, filled with honesty and skillful writing that undoubtedly has her numerous fans eager for the arrival of the next installment. Similar to Barbra Streisand, who recently published a 970-page memoir, Cher belongs to the select group of artists whose remarkable life is deserving of additional attention.

Ballon, who was once a journalist for The Times, Forbes, and Inc. Magazine, now instructs an advanced writing course at the University of Southern California (USC). He currently resides in Fullerton.

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2024-11-19 14:32