Biography of Sonny & Cher

Sonny & Cher proved one of the magical musical combinations of the '60s, with their wisecracking repartee providing counterpoint to a series of adoring hit duets. Sonny Bono (b. Feb 16, 1935) started out at Los Angeles-based Specialty Records as a songwriter in the late '50s. While working sessions with legendary producer Phil Spector, Bono met and married background singer Cher (born Cherilyn Lapierre, May 20, 1946) and formed a duet with his new wife. Neither was blessed with an outstanding vocal range, but no matter -- they went gold in 1965 with the pop chart-topper "I Got You Babe" on Atco and did well with "Baby Don't Go" on Reprise. At the same time, both enjoyed success separately -- Sonny with "Laugh at Me" for Atco, Cher with "All I Really Want to Do" and "Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)" on Imperial. "The Beat Goes On" in 1967 and "All I Ever Need Is You" four years later presaged the pair's anointment as popular TV variety-hour hosts from 1971 to 1974 (the year they were divorced). Since then, Cher has gone on to mega-stardom on record and on the silver screen. Sonny, meanwhile, was elected mayor of Palm Springs, CA. ~ Bill Dahl