Pioneer of pop music: Cher turns 80
Cher has had countless hits and sparked more than a few controversies — while always doing things her own way. At 80, she remains as
Cher has had countless hits and sparked more than a few controversies — while always doing things her own way. At 80, she remains as iconic as ever. Turning 80 is probably not something Cher places much importance on — after all, conventions and expectations have never mattered much to her. Her fearlessness has made her one of the greatest icons in pop music history. Alongside her unique contralto voice, instantly recognizable to generations of listeners, it is above all her versatility and willingness to try new things that have led artists like Lady Gaga and Beyoncé to cite her as an inspiration. The comeback queen In the past six decades, Cher has had several number-one hits across various US Billboard charts. Only the Rolling Stones have managed to accomplish the same feat over such a long period. It all began in 1965 with the classic "I Got You Babe," recorded as a duet with her then-husband Sonny Bono. Most recently, "DJ Play a Christmas Song" reached number one on the Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart at the end of 2023. Cher performing on a German TV show in 2023 Image: Revierfoto/dpa/picture alliance The New York Times once described Cher as the "Queen of the Comeback." In her memoirs, she wrote: "It's a thousand times harder to come back than it is to become famous. Becoming famous is hard, but making a comeback is almost impossible." Yet, the singer managed to do just that.
An eternal trendsetter Cher repeatedly set new trends in fashion as well. In the 1960s, she and her husband Sonny helped turn bell-bottom pants, which until then were worn mainly by sailors, into perhaps the most famous fashion item of hippie culture. She paired them with crop tops, equally unconventional at the time, sparking outrage among many conservatives. The couple was even refused accommodation at London's historic Hilton hotel because their wardrobe was considered too unconventional. But that was only the beginning. In the 1970s, Cher wore multiple outfits by costume designer Bob Mackie during her television shows, changing clothes up to 30 times per show. The looks were often daring: cut-outs, sheer fabrics and rhinestones pushed the boundaries of what television considered acceptable at the time. Not everyone in the UK shared their fashion taste: Sonny and Cher in London, 1965 Image: Barratts/empics/dpa/picture alliance At the 1974 Met Gala, she wore Mackie's famous "Naked Dress" — a skin-tight gown made entirely of transparent, neutral-tone Lycra, adorned with rhinestones, sequins and white feathers on the sleeves and hem. The dress created the illusion that the singer was completely naked except for the sparkling crystals. It became an iconic fashion moment. Even today, the dress continues to inspire celebrity fashion. Not afraid of scandal Cher also appeared on the cover of Time magazine in 1975 wearing the infamous garment. At the time, the cover was considered so scandalous and revealing that several US cities banned sales of the issue or sold it only under the counter.
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