Do You Believe in Love After Life?
On a regular Tuesday in 1962, a young, aspiring musician walked into her favorite coffee shop for a cappuccino. She walked out with the love of her life-
and her first big music gig.
Cherilyn Sarkisyan met Sonny Bono after dropping out of high school to pursue a career in music. Sonny was working for Phil Spector at the time and quickly introduced Cher to Spector after hearing her unique singing voice. Cher ended up singing backup on a number of Spector's hits, like The Ronnettes, “Be My Baby.”
Sonny was a rocker, and Cher was a flower child. Together, they were magic. The pair became a "pop-rock hippie duo," with Beatnick style.
Sonny and Cher brought a lot of love and light to the music industry during the 60's and 70's. They quickly got a record deal with Atlantic Records and produced #1 Billboard hits like I Got You Babe. They gained much of their popularity by co-hosting The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour.
Cher and Sonny Bono were one of the most iconic couples in music. But their relationship was complicated. Cher was young and still finding her own way. Sonny was a little too bossy. Cher was only 16 years old when they met. She had always looked to Sonny as a mentor and allowed him to make career decisions on her behalf. As partners, that dynamic wasn't healthy.
The couple eventually split because Cher was growing up and decided love should feel like freedom. She wanted to manage her own dreams and career.
Sonny was heartbroken, but later admitted, “You were a butterfly, meant to be seen by all, not to be kept by one.”
Cher went on to create her unforgettable music. She became a talented actress and produced multiple albums on her own. She is still actively touring to this day!
Sonny became a Congressman. After serving four years as mayor of Palm Springs, California in the late 80's and early 90's, he went on to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives. Bono is the only congressman to ever have a #1 hit on the Billboard charts.
Although they had been separated for years, Cher gave a soul-touching eulogy when Sonny passed away. He was one of her soulmates, and she said she felt the closest to him in death.
She hired a medium, who communicated on behalf of Sonny from the afterlife. According to Cher, Sonny assured her of his undying love even after death. Cher has said, "I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s up there taking care of me. He did a good job of looking after me in the sixties and I’m quite happy for him to do it again."
Perhaps like their very first duet together, “the beat goes on…"
…and so does love, after life.
Celebrate Cher’s story with the Lady Rocker’s Collection tee —
“My mom said to me, 'You know, sweetheart, one day you should settle down and marry a rich man,' and I said, 'Mom, I am a rich man.”
— CHER
