Sonny Bono biography

Synopsis

Born in Detriot, Michigan, in 1935, Sonny Bono started his career as a singer in the mid-1960s with then-girlfriend Cher. Their biggest hit was "I Got You Babe." Bono's singing career waned, but he stepped back into the public eye when he became mayor of Palm Springs, California in 1988. In 1994, he was elected to Congress as a representative from California's 44th Congressional District. He unexpectedly died in a skiing accident in 1998.

Commercial Success

Born Salvatore Phillip Bono on February 16, 1935, in Detriot, Michigan, Sonny Bono began his music career as a songwriter and singer for Johnny Otis's Dig Records label in the early 1960s.

In 1964, he recorded his first song with then-girlfriend Cher (Cherilyn Sarkisian), which was soon followed by a number of hits including, "I Got You Babe." Sonny and Cher performed in nightclubs and their act, which combined singing with comedy and featured Sonny as the straight man to Cher's light-hearted jibes, was picked up by CBS in 1971, where it remained a top-rated show until it's run ended in 1974.

Political Career and Later Years

Bono's career then waned, but he stepped back into the public eye when he became mayor of Palm Springs, California in 1988. In 1994, Bono was elected to Congress as a Representative from California's 44th Congressional District. When he died in a skiing accident on January 5, 1998, his congressional seat was filled by his widow, Mary Whitaker Bono.