When you think of Cher, what Cher do you think of? The shy, demure long-haired singer of the mid-60s, declaring “I Got You, Babe?” Is it the comedic straight man to husband Sonny Bono’s comic relief on The Sonny & Cher show? Is it the dramatic actress of the mid-80s films such as Silkwood and Moonstruck? The pop diva who made a stunning comeback in the 1990ss with the AutoTune-enhanced hit “Believe?” All of these are valid recollections to have, and a new book, I Got You Babe, celebrates the life of the pop icon. 

Cher first came to the world’s attention 60 years ago with “I Got You Babe,” a duet with her husband and producer, Sonny Bono. It was the sound of innocent love, and it ushered in a time of great success for the duo, first as recording artists, then as a nightclub act, and then as a successful television variety hour. The duo were loved by millions, and that love didn’t end when the partnership ended, either. The Eighties found Cher diversifying and becoming a leading actress, while the Nineties cemented her role as the Uber-talented diva as we know her.

I Got You Babe covers all the bases—from her relationships with Sonny Bono and Gregg Allman, to perhaps her most important relationship with fashion designer Bob Mackie. It looks at all aspects of her career, from her singing to her acting and her philanthropy. Did you know that Cher had a hard rock band in the early 80s called Black Rose? Did you know that Cher rescued an abused elephant? Have you ever wondered about her wigs? All of these things make up the various and interesting factoids discussed in I Got You Babe, which is also replete with superb photographs that show Cher in all her stages of pageantry. 

I Got You Babe is a fun, enjoyable read that gives the reader a very good look at its subject, and satisfies the curiosity of the casual fan who might not want to invest the time in Cher’s two-volume autobiography. 

Purchase: Amazon