Duet - Sonny & Cher

Sonny Bono & Cher

- Years active -

1964 - 1977

- Genres considered -

Pop, Pop Rock, Folk, Rock

- Most Noted Recordings -

"Baby Don't Go," "I Got You Babe," "But You're Mine," "What Now My Love," "The Beat Goes On"

- Discography -

- Filmography -

- History -

- Chart Success -

Look at Us - Debut album (1965)

- "I Got You Babe" No. 1

- No. 2 on Billboard charts

- One million copies sold by September 1965

Early television appearances include such programs as The Ed Sullivan Show, American Bandstand, Hollywood: A Go-Go, Top of the Pops, and others.

As they grew in success, Sonny & Cher also became known for trendsetting fashion with bespoke, coordinating outfits.

By 1966, Sonny & Cher were known as rock's "it" couple. (Ginia Bellafante, Time)

In Case You're In Love - Third album, 1967

- No. 45 U.S.

- "The Beat Goes On" (No. 6 Billboard Hot 100)

- "Little Man" (No. 21 Billboard Hot 100)

Surpassed "I Got You Babe" in Europe - Top 10 in Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the UK

- Film & Career "'Woes" -

Good Times (1967, Starring Sonny & Cher, Failed project)

Speedway (1968, Sonny & Cher replaced by Elvis Presley and Nancy Sinatra)

Chastity (1969, Starring Cher, Commercial failure)

In 1968, album sales slowed.  The rise of psychedelic rock further replaced interest in Sonny & Cher, who were known for gentle sound and drug-free lifestyle.  

Bono moved the duo to Las Vegas with a new stage persona - Cher was sarcastic and glamorous, Bono was one to take her insults in stride.  Sonny wrote all musical arrangements and jokes.

A decline in the psychedelic genre brought drug-free acts like Sonny & Cher back into the spotlight.

- TV Success & Cher -

The Nitty Gritty Hour - 1970 television special featuring slapstick comedy, skits, and live music ... critical success

The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour - 1971 primetime program, 15 Emmy Award Nominations, 1 Emmy Award Win for Direction

All I Ever Need Is You - 1972 album release

- "All I Ever Need Is You" (Top 10)

- "A Cowboy's Work Is Never Done" (Top 10)

By 1972, the duo was a success professionally but according to Cher, she felt the were in a "loveless marriage" and she felt "trapped" by Bono's controlling nature.  In 1974, Sonny and Cher went through a "highly publicized divorce."  

In 1974, Cher won a Golden Globe Award (Best Performance By an Actress in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy).

Bono launched The Sonny Comedy Revue in Fall 1974, maintaining existing comedians and writers.  The show was abruptly cancelled after six weeks.

Cher debuted in February 1975.  The special featured Flip Wilson, Bette Midler, Elton John (special guest), Cloris Leachman (Emmy Award for appearance), and Jack Albertson (Emmy Award for appearance).  The program received four Emmy Award nominations.  Cher ranked in the Top 25 by year's end.

- Later Career -

Sonny Bono pursued acting and later entered into politics as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Cher went onto a Grammy-award winning solo career and Academy Award-winning acting career.

- Bono's Death - 

Sonny Bono passed away on January 5, 1998.  He was 62 years old.  His funeral was broadcast live on CNN.  Sonny's headstone reads "And The Beat Goes On".

Complications of pay in royalty revenue after Bono's passing led to several lawsuits.  (Follow the link just above to read more.)

- Legacy & Achievements -

Sonny & Cher proved successful in competition with the British Invasion and Motown era.

Between 1965 and 1972, the duo landed ten Billboard Hot 100 Top 40 singles including five Top 10 songs.  They had five songs simultaneously charting in the Top 50 - matched only by The Beatles and Elvis Presley.

"I Got You Babe" - Grammy Hall of Fame ... Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (2003)

In 1966, Sonny & Cher received a Grammy Award Nomination (Best New Artist).

In 1972, Sonny & Cher received a Grammy Award Nomination (Best Pop Duo/Group Performance).

In 1998, the duo received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

In 2015, Sonny & Cher were ranked No. 18 on Rolling Stone's 20 Greatest Duos of All Time.

(Wikipedia)

In 1969, Sonny and Cher welcomed a daughter.  A marital bond that still could not keep them together.  They came together three times after their divorce, with a handshake as a "reunion" and two separate performances on The Mike Douglas Show (1979) and Late Night with David Letterman (1987).  This would be their last performance together.

Cher expressed an emotional eulogy at Sonny's funeral - "the most unforgettable character I've ever met."  In my research, this proved to be a reasonably true statement.  

Cher, though, has an unforgettable history that continues to write itself in the present day.  Her musical style is constantly evolving yet she maintains glamorous charm reflective of then and classically now.

I am a fan of Moonstruck.  I am a fan of Cher's more recent work with nods to songs nearly anyone would know.  

I enjoyed her musical guest appearance on the Christmas 2025 episode of Saturday Night Live.

I am a fan of Peter Cook and Dudley Moore.  In the first season of Saturday Night Live, Cook and Moore dressed as Sonny & Cher (Dudley as Sonny, Peter as Cher - with a black wig) and performed their rendition of "I Got You Babe" with a rather sketchy twist.

I enjoyed and am a fan.  I am also removed from the height of Sonny and Cher's success by one full generation.  Yet, the duo proved beyond all demographics - age, geography, and so on - that music transcends and lasts beyond collaboration and relationship.