Cher Book Summary - Cher Book explained in key points

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Cher summary

Name: Cher
Author: Cher

Cher

The Memoir

20 mins

Brief summary

Cher provides an intimate look into Cher’s life and career, revealing her resilience and evolution as an iconic performer. The book captures her journey through personal struggles, triumphs, and her enduring impact on popular culture.

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Culture Women's Stories Autobiographies Success Career Progress

Table of Contents

Cher
Summary of 6 key ideas

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What’s in it for me? Discover a triumphant tale of unlikely success and empowerment.

The year 1956 was an important one for a little girl named Cheryl Sarkisian. That summer, the ten-year-old was glued to the TV, her peanut butter and jelly sandwich forgotten in her lap as she experienced a moment that would change her life forever. Watching American Bandstand, she was moved to tears by Ray Charles’s soulful performance of "Georgia" and felt an instant, unshakable connection to the music.

Then, a couple months later, Cheryl and her mom saw Elvis Presley perform at the Pan-Pacific Auditorium in Los Angeles. Thrilled to be among the screaming throngs of fans, she knew, without a doubt, that she wanted to be on that stage, under the spotlight, just like him. This is the story of how that dream came true. Of how a young girl who lived a vagabond-like childhood rose from poverty to international fame. This is the first part of the story of the one and only, the icon, Cher. It covers her life up until the 1980s, right before she decided to shift her focus to acting.

Escaping poverty

This journey begins with a poignant image: a photo taken in 1947 of a tiny baby gripping the rails of her crib at a Catholic children’s home. This baby was Cher, and the picture was captured by her 20-year-old mother, Jackie Jean, later known as Georgia Holt.

Jackie had been born into the poverty and hardship of the Great Depression. Despite the odds, her talent for singing emerged early, and by age five, she was performing in speakeasies, earning nickels that weighed down her pockets.

By 19, she’d married Johnnie Sarkisian, an Armenian gambler, and their life was marked by constant instability. Their tumultuous marriage saw them traveling across the country until Johnnie abandoned Jackie and their baby Cheryl (always shortened to “Cher”) in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Left alone, Jackie had no choice but to leave Cher at the children’s home while she worked as a waitress at a diner. She visited her child whenever she could, but it took time, money, and a little help from a caring diner customer, before Jackie eventually won her fight to bring her daughter home. The emotion of this victory was later channeled into Cher’s powerful song “Sisters of Mercy.”

Still, life remained chaotic. Jackie moved them to Twin Falls, Idaho, and then to Los Angeles, where Cher was often left under the care of various babysitters. During this time, Jackie unexpectedly won a local beauty pageant, marking the beginning of her transformation into Georgia Holt, a woman determined to escape the hardship of her past.

In Los Angeles, Georgia’s beauty and talent landed her small TV roles but she constantly struggled against the casting couch culture of the time. Despite her mother’s limited success, Cher found comfort in the simple joys of life, like watching TV together and hearing Hollywood gossip whispered by her mom.

Cher’s family found momentary stability with her mom’s marriage to another actor, John Southall, and the arrival of Cher’s sister, Georganne, better known as “Gee.” John was a loving parent – the one Cher would always refer to as “dad.” But his battle with alcoholism led to a volatile home life and eventual divorce. Despite the chaos, Cher held a deep love for her father, forgiving his flaws and cherishing the good moments. But after his sudden departure, Cher, her sister, and their mother were once again forced into a transient lifestyle, moving from place to place.

From LA to New York and back again

Cher’s favorite home, among the many she had growing up, was a cozy redwood bungalow on Beeman Avenue in the San Fernando Valley. With its apricot and peach trees in the yard, it was a refuge for Cher, her sister, and their mother after the divorce. It was here that she first discovered her passion for performing, taking part in school plays. Nevertheless, school was a struggle, as an undiagnosed dyslexia made reading and math difficult.

The Beeman bungalow didn’t last, as Georgia’s career stalled. Unable to pay the rent, Cher and her sister had to move in with their grandparents. It was a dire time. Cher was deeply embarrassed to go to school wearing shoes held together with cardboard and rubber bands. Cher’s mom continued to seek stability through marriage, first to wealthy real estate magnate Joe Collins, and later to her biological father, Johnnie. However, both attempts ended in divorce.

An unconventional duo

Not long after Cher moved in with Sonny, his career took a leap forward. A new job brought him closer to the epicenter of the music world – Phillip Spector’s Gold Star Recording Studios. Tagging along, Cher, wide-eyed and eager, glimpsed the magic of the Wrecking Crew, the studio’s legendary house band that included Tommy Tedesco, Carole Kaye and Leon Russel.

Their relationship took an unexpected turn during a quiet evening. A kiss, simple yet electric, blurred the lines of their camaraderie. It wasn’t a fairy-tale romance, but it was love, and the start of an amazing journey.

Good times and bad times

After releasing their first album, record executives made sure they were married – for real this time – in a quiet ceremony in Mexico. Months later, in 1965, Cher landed a coveted opportunity – a Vogue photoshoot with the legendary Richard Avedon. The shoot was transformative. Cher saw herself as beautiful for the first time, despite Sonny’s disapproval of her daring outfits.

Indeed, Sonny’s possessiveness was really starting to show. Cher wasn’t allowed to wear perfume, listen to music, or even go out alone except for shopping trips. At the same time, he was determined to keep their momentum going with a gruelling work schedule.

Going solo

By the early 1970s, with The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour a massive hit, the duo were at the peak of their fame. They were living a life of luxury, a stark contrast to their earlier struggles. But then Cher began to notice a shift in Sonny. The playful partner she once knew was becoming a business-minded mogul, consumed with maintaining their success. He even started smoking cigars! As his focus turned to contracts and deals, Cher still wasn’t allowed to spend time with friends or even take tennis lessons. The personal connection they once shared was fading.

So, while the dynamic on stage remained strong, their offstage relationship was about to come apart for good. It all started with Bill, a young guitarist in their band, who caught Cher’s attention. His kindness and genuine interest in her feelings were a stark contrast to Sonny’s growing indifference. One evening, Cher made a bold decision – she told Sonny she wanted to spend time with Bill, alone. The only other option in her mind at the time was to throw herself off the hotel room balcony.

The future is unwritten

Fate seemed to unfold after Cher invited her friend Paulette to move in with her. The two women embraced their independence, going shopping and hitting the dance floors like carefree teenagers. Paulette's fascination with the Allman Brothers led them to an unforgettable performance by the band at the small Troubadour nightclub in LA.

In particular, Cher was taken by the magnetic stage presence of Gregg Allman. The feeling must have been mutual because a stagehand passed along a note with Gregg’s phone number. Despite a disastrous first date, their connection deepened after a second attempt at a carefree night of dancing, revealing a sweet and authentic side to him.

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What is Cher about?

Cher (2024) finds the legendary singer and actress opening up about her extraordinary journey through fame, love, and personal transformation. It’s a literal rags to riches take of growing up poor to hosting one of the most popular television shows in the country. In recounting the many ups and downs and troubled relationships along the way, it reveals the woman behind the icon, filled with raw honesty, humor, and unforgettable moments.

Who should read Cher?

Cher fanatics and music lovers
Pop culture enthusiasts
Anyone interested in inspiring stories of overcoming adversity

About the Author

Cher is an iconic American singer, actress, and entrepreneur, often referred to as the "Goddess of Pop" for her groundbreaking contributions to music and entertainment. With a career spanning over six decades, she has achieved success in music, film, television, and fashion, earning numerous accolades, including an Oscar and a Grammy. Known for her bold persona, distinctive voice, and ability to reinvent herself, Cher has become a cultural icon and a symbol of resilience and independence.

Categories with Cher

Society & Culture Career & Success

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