As part of today's celebrations for Cher's 66th Birthday, I thought it would be a good idea to take a look at exactly what the legendary songstress was up to ten years ago, twenty years ago, thirty years... Well, you get the message!50 Years Ago – Age 16
We kick-off with 1962,- the year that Cher had her sweet sixteenth Birthday. Most youngsters of that age are dealing with school work and puppy love, but this is Cher we're talking about. Instead, Cher dropped out of high school and a matter of months after that very Birthday, she met perhaps her first true love – Sonny Bono! Certainly, the bothers of school work and chances of puppy love went straight out the window. Soon into the following year, the still-sixteen year old was putting vocals down as a backing singer for superstar record producer Phil Spector at the legendary Gold Star Recording Studios! Of course, she was just starting out so surely she must've débuted her singing voice on some little-known B-side... No! Cher's first job as a backing singer was on the classic – and hugely influential - 'Be My baby' by The Ronettes!
40 Years Ago – Age 26
Where was Cher in 1972? Well, at the time of her 26th Birthday, the now-mother-of-one and wife of Bono was already one of the most famous women in America, proudly riding on the back of the her recent number one hit single 'Gypsies, Tramps & Thieves', the Gold-certified album of the same name and the new ratings-grabbing television series 'The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour'. Sadly however, as the 'Cher News' biography puts it, during Cher's 26th year, “Sonny & Cher's fortunes were mixed; their television career was booming; their music success was dwindling; and unbeknownst to fans, the couple's relationship was in serious trouble.” Still, none of that stopped the hard-working lady from releasing two studio albums within the year!
30 Years Ago – Age 36
Having just finished a stint on Broadway in 'Come Back To The 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean', 36-year-old Cher climbed aboard another stage – the one at Caesars Palace; Cher wrapped-up her three-year contract performing at the luxury hotel. She also released the underrated album 'I Paralyze' and its number of singles. Broadway, concerts, studio album, singles... What next? Well, she only managed to fit in a film! Yes, Cher starred in the film version of “Jimmy Dean”, released before the year's end. Of course, Cher then received a Golden Globe Award nomination for 'Best Supporting Actress' for her role as 'Sissy' in the film.
20 Years Ago – Age 46
Looking at this small selection of years taken from Cher's life manages to display just how busy this lady has been throughout her life! Take a look at the year Cher turned 46: As Cher hit the age of 46 in May 1992, she was in the first stages of her concert tour, the 'Love Hurts Tour', in support of her multi-platinum number one album of the same name! The show continued until November, around the same time as positive reviews were being printed about her latest fitness video, 'CherFitness: Body Confidence'. The same month, Europe were being given the treat of n hit-packed compilation album 'Greatest Hits: 1965-1992' – Cher was being given Gold and Platinum certifications in return. The hard work was doing wonders for her career but at the same time, Cher's health was dwindling from the Epstein-Barr Virus, resulting in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Cher's career was reluctantly halted for almost three years as a result.
10 Years Ago – Age 56
In 2002, in less than a month after her 56th Birthday, Cher hit the road with her grand record-smashing world tour, 'Living Proof: The Farewell Tour'. Comprising of hits taken from throughout her lengthy successful recording career, the show was an instant success, critically and commercially. Before her next Birthday, Cher released one of her biggest hit albums in the form of the career-spanning 'The Very Best Of Cher', débuting at number 4 in America with sales of 122,000 copies!
Now – Age 66
Most of us – especially the older ones – sadly look back at an earlier age and wish we could turn back time. For Cher, her life is seemingly as exciting now as it ever was. She has us all on the edge of our seats, asking “What next?” Well, Cher's glittering 66th year promises to deliver us a live extravaganza in the form of a brand-new world tour, and an all-new album which could indeed be her best-yet! Is there anything else we can expect from her over the next year? No - only because with Cher, no-one knows what to expect next ('Fro anyone?). She herself can expect one thing though; with her new album and tour – and help from her much-cherished fans - she's certainly going to be breaking more records this year!
Happy Birthday Cher!
Happy birthday x
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