Cher, the iconic singer and actor, reflects on her remarkable journey from backup singer to global superstar. She shares stories about her tumultuous childhood and the influence of her mother on her artistic identity. Cher discusses the emotional resonance of her hit 'I Got You Babe' and the trials of navigating personal and professional relationships in the music industry. She also touches on motherhood, the challenges with her sons, and her love for music, culminating in a heartfelt connection to her favorite song, 'A Change Is Gonna Come.'
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question_answer ANECDOTE
First Musical Choice
Cher's first musical choice was "Whiter Shade of Pale" by Procol Harum.
She loved the feeling it evoked, even without understanding the lyrics, unlike Sonny Bono, who preferred clearer lyrics.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Childhood Abandonment
Cher's parents were mismatched, her mother being young and naive.
Her father abandoned them, placing Cher in an orphanage before disappearing.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Elvis Inspiration
Cher's second choice, "Love Me Tender" by Elvis, solidified her desire to perform.
Witnessing Elvis's showmanship at 11 inspired her to pursue a similar career.
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The Saracen Blade is a historical adventure novel by Frank Yerby, published in 1952. The story is set during the reign of the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II and follows the life of Pietro di Donati, the son of a Sicilian peasant, who is born at almost the same moment as the Emperor. Pietro's journey involves his rise from humble beginnings, his involvement in battles, his capture and enslavement by the Turks, and his eventual return to Italy. The novel is filled with themes of romance, intrigue, and adventure, characteristic of Yerby's writing style. It was ranked ninth on the Publishers Weekly list of bestselling novels in 1952[1][3][4].
Cher has been a global star for over six decades. Her career has spanned music, television and film and throughout that time her outfits have made flamboyant fashion statements.
She was born Cherilyn Sarkisian in El Centro, California and had a peripatetic childhood. Her mother married six times and with each new husband the family moved house.
In 1962, when she was 16, Cher met Sonny Bono in a coffee shop. She moved in with Sonny as his housekeeper and personal assistant and began singing backing vocals for his boss, the music producer Phil Spector. In 1965 Sonny and Cher released I Got You Babe which reached number one in the US and UK charts – knocking the Beatles off the top of the chart.
Cher is an award-winning actor who has starred in films including Silkwood, Mask and Moonstruck. In October 1998 she released her 22nd studio album Believe – the title track remains the biggest-selling number one by a solo female artist in British chart history.
DISC ONE: Whiter Shade of Pale - Procol Harum
DISC TWO: Love Me Tender - Elvis Presley
DISC THREE: A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes - Ilene Woods
DISC FOUR: Evil - Stevie Wonder
DISC FIVE: You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ - The Righteous Brothers
DISC SIX: I Can’t Make You Love Me - Bonnie Raitt
DISC SEVEN: Minute By Minute - The Doobie Brothers
DISC EIGHT: A Change Is Gonna Come - Sam Cooke
BOOK CHOICE: The Saracen Blade by Frank Yerby
LUXURY ITEM: An eyelash curler
CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: A Change Is Gonna Come - Sam Cooke
Desert Island Discs 