Cher: The Goddess of Pop and Dance
Cher is an American singer and actress whose career has spanned over six decades. From 1960s folk-pop to 1990s dance anthems, she has sold over 100 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling music artists in history.
Early career
Born Cherilyn Sarkisian in 1946 in El Centro, California, she met songwriter Sonny Bono in 1962. Their romantic and professional partnership led to their first single as the duo Sonny & Cher, the minor hit "Baby Don't Go," in 1964.
They signed with Atco/Atlantic Records and released their debut album "Look at Us" in 1965. The album contained the single "I Got You Babe," which would catapult them to international fame.
Breakthrough
The year 1965 marked Cher's explosive breakthrough with Sonny & Cher. "I Got You Babe" soared to number one on the Billboard Hot 100, selling over one million copies and becoming their signature song.
Capitalizing on this success, Cher also launched a solo career, scoring a US number one hit the same year with "Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)" on the Imperial label.
Key tracks
I Got You Babe — This 1965 duet with Sonny Bono defined the folk-pop era and established Cher as a household name.
Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves — Her 1971 solo comeback on Kapp Records, it earned a gold certification and her first solo US number one.
If I Could Turn Back Time — The 1989 rock-influenced single from the "Heart of Stone" album became a massive MTV staple and a top 10 global hit.
Believe — This 1998 dance-pop track on Warner Bros. popularized the Auto-Tune "Cher effect," topped charts in over 20 countries, and went multi-platinum.
Strong Enough — A defining 1999 dance track from the "Believe" album that solidified her late-career resurgence in the club scene.
Following the success of "Believe," Cher continued to release albums like 2001's "Living Proof" and embarked on a series of highly successful concert residues in Las Vegas. Her 2013 album "Closer to the Truth" on Warner Bros. debuted at number three on the Billboard 200, her highest-charting solo album ever.
Beyond music, Cher's film career has been illustrious, winning her an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in 1987's "Moonstruck." She has collaborated with artists across genres, from disco with the Bee Gees on "The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss)" to rock with Michael Bolton on "I Found Someone."
For fans of Cher's dramatic vocal style and genre-spanning career, explore similar artists. Madonna shares a mastery of pop reinvention and visual spectacle. Tina Turner embodies a similar powerhouse stage presence and a triumphant career comeback. Stevie Nicks offers a blend of rock mystique and a uniquely recognizable voice. Kylie Minogue mirrors the successful pivot into enduring dance-pop royalty.
Cher's catalog remains a staple on radio stations worldwide. Her hits are featured on classic hits FM stations, dedicated 80s and 90s pop channels, and contemporary dance music radio streams, ensuring her music reaches multiple generations of listeners daily.
You can hear the timeless music of Cher on a variety of radio stations featured on our website. Listeners can discover her vast discography, from her earliest hits to her dance floor classics, through the many online radio stations available on onairium.com.
