In the dimly lit Pan Pacific Auditorium in downtown Los Angeles, a crowd of nine thousand excited girls eagerly awaited the appearance of Elvis Presley on stage. Among them was eleven-year-old Cherilyn Sarkisian, who, upon witnessing the spectacle, turned to her mother and declared her own aspirations: “Mom, I’m going to do that.” This transformative moment in 1957 marked the birth of Cher, who emerged from a humble background in California to achieve remarkable success. Over the years, Cher has amassed a fortune of £280 million, sold more than 100 million records worldwide, and holds the distinction of being the only artist to have a number one single on the Billboard chart in six consecutive decades. Notably, her Farewell Tour raked in an impressive £195 million.
Approaching her 80th birthday, Cher’s extraordinary journey from a fan in the audience to a global icon is the subject of a new BBC documentary chronicling her rise to stardom. Reflecting on the pivotal moment she saw Elvis perform, Cher recalls the profound impact it had on her aspirations, stating, “Most of my friends loved him, I wanted to be him.” Born into a challenging environment in El Centro, California, Cher navigated a tough childhood marked by financial hardships and academic struggles due to undiagnosed dyslexia.
Cher’s breakthrough came in 1962 when she crossed paths with Salvatore Philip Bono, known as Sonny, in a coffee shop. Their partnership led to the release of her first single, “All I Really Want To Do,” in 1965, propelling her into the spotlight at the age of eighteen. A series of chart-topping hits followed, including the iconic “I Got You Babe,” which soared to number one across multiple countries and solidified their place in music history alongside legends like the Beatles and Elvis Presley.
Transitioning into acting in the early 1980s, Cher faced initial skepticism but ultimately garnered critical acclaim for her performances in films like “Silkwood” and “Moonstruck,” the latter earning her an Academy Award for Best Actress in 1988. Despite facing setbacks in her music career in the mid-1990s, Cher staged a remarkable comeback with the release of the hit single “Believe” in 1998, which became a chart-topping success and earned her a Grammy award.
Throughout her tumultuous personal life, marked by marriages, divorces, and personal losses, Cher’s resilience and talent have shone through. Her enduring legacy includes a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and a series of successful tours and performances. As she prepares to celebrate her 80th birthday, Cher remains unstoppable, hinting at a new album and embracing the opportunity to continue pushing boundaries in the music industry despite societal expectations regarding age.
The documentary “Cher at the BBC” offers a glimpse into the remarkable career of this iconic artist and will be available on BBC Sounds, with a Radio 2 broadcast scheduled for May 17th.
