Sonny Boy

Salvatore Bono, was born on February 16, 1935 in Detroit. Sonny Bono began his career in music working for the record producer Phil Spector as a promotions man and percussionist. He composed songs on his own before meeting the young Cherilyn Sarkisian LaPierre in 1961. They married three years later.

Together, Sonny & Cher created one of the most magical combinations in music history. Sonny wrote, arranged, and produced some of their greatest songs – 1965’s I Got You Babe and 1967’s The Beat Goes On. They had their own variety show, The Sonny and Cher Show on CBS 1971 to 1974.

Sonny went on to become the mayor of Palm Springs and a U.S. State Representative for California. He died while in office from a skiing accident in January 1998. Cher gave the eulogy at his funeral, and The Beat Goes On was sung in his honor. The epitaph on his headstone reads “And the beat goes on.”

Bono’s contribution to the success of the duo and to Cher’s solo success is underrated. He let himself be the butt of the jokes, so Cher would shine. And it worked. Their sound was a unique mix of rock, pop, and psychedelic sounds, at times with political and social undertones. For people too young to know anything other than “I’ve Got You Babe”, here are some songs suggestions: A Cowboy’s Work is Never Done, Little Man, Mama Was A Rock ‘n Roll Singer Papa Used To Write All Her Songs, When You Say Love, and All I Ever Need Is You.

The collection, The Beat Goes On: The Best of Sonny & Cher is highly recommended. For some extra gems, iTunes offers the Sonny & Cher Essentials.

The Beat Goes On

I’ve Got You Babe (1965)

Little Man

A Cowboy’s Work is Never Done

I’ve Got You Babe (1987 on David Letterman)

500 Miles (Sonny & Cher tribute)