Wondrous World Of Sonny and Cher

Salvatore Bono was a backing singer at Phil Spector’s studio when he met Cherilyn Sarkisian in a coffee shop; through Bono, Sarkisian began working for Spector too, singing backup on The Ronettes’ “Be My Baby.” Forming a duo as Cesar & Cleo, they switched to Sonny & Cher in 1964 for “Baby Don’t Go,” the lead track of a Reprise EP. Debut album Look At Us, released by Atco, was a chart smash that contained enduring hit “I’ve Got You Babe” and The Wondrous World of Sonny & Cher was the follow-up, which also reached the top-40, leading to an acclaimed world tour. As with much of their output, the album was a mixed bag of covers and originals, the Bono-penned “But You’re Mine” the first single to chart; “What Now My Love,” which drew on Ravel’s Bolero, also reached the top 20 on both sides of the Atlantic. The duo also tackle perennial show tune “Summer Time,” The Kinks’ “Set Me Free” and Harry Belafonte’s “Turn Around”.