So, we were in a
pub in Manchester, and five Cher’s
walked in and sat down for a meal. The look was distinctive. The long black curly wig that signified her
1980s renaissance. You know a genuine
icon when no explanations and no surname is necessary. Over the course of her near 60 year career
Sherilyn Sarkisian has done it all - won Oscars, been awarded Grammys, sold out arenas worldwide. Having famously done a ‘Farewell Tour’ in
2004, she has been back on the road with
her ‘Here We Go Again’ world tour since September.
There are several
distinct phases and images throughout Cher’s glorious reign, she was first tempted onto a record when
producer Phil Spector wanted everyone in the studio to sing the backing to The
Ronettes’ classic ‘Be My Baby’. As his assistant Sonny
Bono’s girlfriend, Cher was pushed into
the studio and let loose on that legendary chorus. It was the start of a music career that by
any standards has been spectacular.
Having a distinctive lower register,
Cher is one of those singers who is an original. When you hear a Cher song on the radio, it
can only be one person. Outspoken,
glamorous, witty. No wonder she has
amassed over the years a devoted following that is the envy of most artists.
And so having been
treated to some wannabe Cher’s in the pub, it was time for the real deal. With Paul Young having warmed up the audience
with his own 1980s rosta of hits, a
video montage introduced us to the lady herself. ‘A Woman’s World’, the 2010 lead single from
her Closer To The Truth album, started
off the hit fest. Descending from the roof in a flowing blue wig
and matching gown, it was the start of a
costume bonanza that Canal Street drag queens I am sure watched on with
ultimate envy. There was a long,
meandering and sometimes pointless chat with the audience about turning 40 and
being told she was not sexy enough to star in The Witches of Eastwick
(although she did ultimately get the role).
But as ever she was empowering women to be their own person, get out and
do what they want. A sentiment echoed by Cher over the ages. But when the chat is
over she is back to being an pop-disco-rock icon,
riding a large elephant singing 'Gayatri Mantra' and ‘All or Nothing’. The 1960s are celebrated with 'The Beat Goes On' and a poignant duet of 'I Got You Babe' with her on screen ex-husband who propelled her to stardom, the late Sonny Bono. The big screen appearances are welcomed with a
cheeky ‘Welcome To Burlesque’ before donning white wig referencing her role as
Ruby Sheridan, a scene stealing cameo in Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again. A trio of ABBA hits followed in quick
succession. ‘Waterloo’, ‘S.O.S.’ and of course her featured song from the movie
‘Fernando’. A sing-a-long dream for the
capacity audience at the Manchester Arena.
But Cher wasn’t done yet. A plaintive
‘After All’, gospel tinged ‘Walking In
Memphis’ and infectious ‘The Shoop Shoop Song (It’s In His Kiss)’ all
followed. The camp levels were off the scale by now. Could she push it further? She could, by donning her iconic black wig and body
stocking look to rock out the arena with ‘I Found Someone’ and 'If I Could Turn
Back Time’. What could top all that? Only one song. Still the biggest selling single in the UK by
a female artist. The 1998 disco smash ‘Believe’. And we did.
“What is your granny
doing tonight?” Cher had asked the Arena when referencing her own 73 years on
the planet. Hopefully being as inspiring (and unashamedly camp) as
Sherilyn has over six decades. If this
is Cher’s swansong to live performing, she is untouchable. In addition to touring the world (as you do) Cher has revealed she is also working on a Christmas album, a second album of ABBA classics, an autobiography and a biopic on her life. We haven't seen the last of her. Top that bitches!
No comments:
Post a Comment