Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Cher

How Cher built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Cher, often referred to as the 'Goddess of Pop,' is an iconic American singer, actress, and television personality whose career has spanned over six decades. Rising to fame in the 1960s as one half of the folk-rock duo Sonny & Cher, she successfully transitioned into a powerhouse solo artist with chart-topping hits like 'Believe.' Beyond her musical influence, Cher is a critically acclaimed actress, winning an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in Moonstruck (1987). Recognized for her distinctive contralto voice, bold fashion sense, and ability to constantly reinvent her image and musical style, she has become a defining figure in pop culture. Cher remains one of the best-selling music artists of all time and is celebrated for her longevity, resilience, and status as a global entertainment icon.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1964: Release of Ringo, I Love You

In early 1964, Cher released her debut single titled "Ringo, I Love You" under the pseudonym Bonnie Jo Mason, which was produced by Phil Spector. The song faced significant challenges as radio programmers misunderstood the singer's deep contralto voice, leading them to believe the vocalist was a gay man singing about the Beatles' drummer, Ringo Starr.

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1964: Signing of Solo Recording Contract

In late 1964, Cher signed a solo contract with Liberty Records' Imperial imprint, with Sonny Bono serving as her producer. During this time, she released the single "Dream Baby" under the name Cherilyn, which gained notable airplay in the Los Angeles area.

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1964: Early Career Releases as Caesar & Cleo and Sonny & Cher

Throughout 1964, Cher and Sonny Bono launched their recording careers under multiple monikers, including Caesar & Cleo and Sonny & Cher. They released singles like 'The Letter', 'Love Is Strange', and 'Baby Don't Go' across different labels like Vault, Reprise, and Atco, eventually finding regional success in Los Angeles with 'Baby Don't Go' after some confusion regarding their professional identity.

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April 1965: Release of Just You

In April 1965, the musical duo Sonny & Cher released their debut single under the Atco label titled 'Just You', which unfortunately failed to achieve success on the music charts.

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July 1965: Travels to England

Following the recording of their hit 'I Got You Babe', Sonny & Cher traveled to England in July 1965, acting on professional advice from The Rolling Stones who suggested that the duo would find more success abroad than in the United States.

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1965: Rise to Fame as Sonny & Cher

In 1965, Cher gained widespread fame as one half of the folk rock duo Sonny & Cher, notably releasing the iconic hit single "I Got You Babe," which defined the counterculture era.

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1965: Film Debut and Television Appearances

In 1965, after returning to the United States, the musical duo made their cinematic debut with a cameo appearance in the film Wild on the Beach and performed on popular teen television programs including Hullabaloo and Shindig!. During this time, they also embarked on a national arena tour, which sparked a fashion trend among fans who began mimicking Cher's signature look by dyeing their hair black and wearing vests and bell-bottoms.

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1965: Release of Debut Album Look at Us

In 1965, the duo Sonny & Cher released their debut album titled Look at Us, which achieved significant commercial success by spending eight weeks at the number two position on the Billboard 200 chart.

1965: Release of All I Really Want to Do and Debut Album

Throughout 1965, Cher saw significant success with her cover of Bob Dylan's "All I Really Want to Do," which charted internationally. Additionally, in 1965, she released her debut studio album titled All I Really Want to Do, which reached number 16 on the US Billboard 200.

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1966: Release of The Wondrous World of Sonny & Chér

In 1966, the musical duo Sonny & Cher released their studio album titled The Wondrous World of Sonny & Chér, marking a significant point in their ongoing musical career.

1967: Release of In Case You're in Love

During 1967, Sonny & Cher released the studio album In Case You're in Love, which notably included the successful US top-ten single "The Beat Goes On" and the international number-one hit "Little Man".

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1982: Broadway and Film Success with Come Back to the 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean

In 1982, Cher achieved critical acclaim through her Broadway debut and her subsequent performance in the film adaptation of Come Back to the 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean.

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1983: Academy Award Nomination for Silkwood

Cher received her first Academy Award nomination in 1983 for her notable role in the feature film Silkwood.

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1985: Cannes Film Festival Best Actress Award for Mask

Cher was honored with the Best Actress Award at the Cannes Film Festival in 1985 for her moving performance in the film Mask.

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1987: Academy Award Win for Moonstruck and Success in The Witches of Eastwick

In 1987, Cher won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in Moonstruck and also starred in the film The Witches of Eastwick.

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1987: Release of Album Cher

Transitioning back to music after a period focused on acting, Cher released her hair metal studio album titled Cher in 1987.

1989: Release of Heart of Stone

In 1989, Cher continued her musical comeback by releasing the hair metal album Heart of Stone, which featured the international hit "If I Could Turn Back Time."

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1990: Starring Role in Mermaids

Cher continued her successful film career in 1990 by taking on a starring role in the movie Mermaids.

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1991: Release of Love Hurts

Cher released the hair metal album Love Hurts in 1991, contributing to her run of successful international hits including "The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss)."

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1996: Directorial Debut in If These Walls Could Talk

In 1996, Cher expanded her professional repertoire by making her directorial debut with the film If These Walls Could Talk.

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1998: Release of Believe

At the age of 52, Cher released the dance-pop album Believe in 1998, which notably introduced the innovative "Cher effect" by using Auto-Tune to distort her vocals.

1999: Role in Tea with Mussolini

Cher starred in the 1999 film Tea with Mussolini, adding another significant credit to her extensive acting career.

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1999: Success of Believe

In 1999, the title track from the album Believe achieved massive commercial success, becoming a number-one song in the US and the best-selling single by a female artist in the UK.

2002: Launch of the Living Proof: The Farewell Tour

In 2002, Cher embarked on her 'Living Proof: The Farewell Tour', which became a significant career milestone that would eventually become the highest-grossing tour by a female artist at that time.

2005: Conclusion of the Living Proof: The Farewell Tour

By the conclusion of the 'Living Proof: The Farewell Tour' in 2005, the concert series had grossed $250 million, setting a new record for female artists at the time.

2010: Performance in Burlesque

In 2010, Cher returned to the big screen to deliver a performance in the musical film Burlesque.

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2013: Release of Closer to the Truth

Cher released her album Closer to the Truth in 2013, which debuted at number three and became one of her highest-charting albums on the US Billboard 200.