Sonny & Cher - the Ultimate Collection on DVD

About the time the Beatles first arrived on our U.S. shores and made history on the Ed Sullivan Show, in 1964, Cesar & Cleo (aka Sonny & Cher) were in producer Phil Spector's recording studio. Sonny was one of Spector's assistants, Cher, part of his famous 'Wall Of Sound,' as a background singer appearing on many of the 1960's hits, including 'Be My Baby,' and The Righteous Brothers, 'You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling.' Not content with being in the background, Bono, who had been writing songs on the side for years, decided it was time the young couple made a move. He wrote and produced Cher as a solo artist. The early songs included, "The Letter," and "Baby, Don't Go." But because of her insurmountable stage fright, she wouldn't go on stage without him. They became a duo. The chemistry between the two was unmistakable. They along with the Beatles and The Rolling Stones, among others, captured the ears of the record buying youth from that time.

Cher's first hit single in 1965 was "All I Really Want To Do," written by Sonny. Their whirlwind popularity did not hit full tilt until their now signature song "I Got You Babe," was released. Their hits continued through the mid sixties with such staple songs as "The Beat Goes On," Bang Bang," and "You Better Sit Down Kids." At one point, Sonny & Cher had seven songs listed on the Top 40 at the same time.

Sonny & Cher's music began falling out of favor or in the late 1960's, their once catchy pop tunes were deemed too square for the hippie generation. T he head programmer of CBS Fred Silverman caught their newly vamped cabaret act in 1971 while they were working the nightclub circuit. This was the incarnation the world would come to love as Sonny & Cher (for grown-ups, as Cher would later laughingly state). Silverman offered them a summer re-placement show on CBS and the SONNY & CHER COMEDY HOUR was born. Viewers were treated every week to a variety spectacular, which not only included the comedy of Sonny & Cher but the music also. From their musical opening numbers and monologues, to the band numbers, comedy sketches,
to the closing of the show singing their 1960's proclamation of love, 'I GOT YOU BABE,' with a very young daughter, Chastity in Sonny's arms, it's impossible not to get nostalgic.

Some of yesterday and today's hottest celebrities appeared on the Sunday night show. Guests included on this set are Michael Jackson & The Jackson 5, Tina Turner and many others. Among the show's highlights was Cher's solo spot every week which ultimately spring boarded her into the stratosphere as a mature singer and woman of fashion (thanks to the costuming of designer Bob Mackie) with such smash Top 10 hits as 'HALF BREED,' 'GYPSIES, TRAMPS AND THIEVES,' 'DARK LADY,' and 'THE WAY OF LOVE.'
With personal commentary from Cher herself recorded during her smash Farewell Tour, she gives humorous insight on the 'behind the scenes' of their famous monologues, her solo spots, and comedy sketches including "VAMP," "AT THE LAUNDERETTE," and "SONNY'S PIZZA".

The third disc includes the second run of 'The Sonny & Cher Show,' post divorce, which aired in 1975 and ran for 2 seasons. This is a must for every Sonny & Cher fan or anyone who loves to laugh and remember.