Pioneer of pop music: Cher turns 80

Turning 80 is probably not something Cher places much importance on — after all, conventions and expectations have never mattered much to her. Her fearlessness has made her one of the greatest icons in pop music history. Alongside her unique contralto voice, instantly recognizable to generations of listeners, it is above all her versatility and willingness to try new things that have led artists like Lady Gaga and Beyoncé to cite her as an inspiration.

The comeback queen

In the past six decades, Cher has had several number-one hits across various US Billboard charts. Only the Rolling Stones have managed to accomplish the same feat over such a long period.

It all began in 1965 with the classic "I Got You Babe," recorded as a duet with her then-husband Sonny Bono. Most recently, "DJ Play a Christmas Song" reached number one on the Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart at the end of 2023.

The New York Times once described Cher as the "Queen of the Comeback." In her memoirs, she wrote: "It's a thousand times harder to come back than it is to become famous. Becoming famous is hard, but making a comeback is almost impossible." Yet, the singer managed to do just that.

An eternal trendsetter

Cher repeatedly set new trends in fashion as well. In the 1960s, she and her husband Sonny helped turn bell-bottom pants, which until then were worn mainly by sailors, into perhaps the most famous fashion item of hippie culture. She paired them with crop tops, equally unconventional at the time, sparking outrage among many conservatives. The couple was even refused accommodation at London's historic Hilton hotel because their wardrobe was considered too unconventional.

But that was only the beginning. In the 1970s, Cher wore multiple outfits by costume designer Bob Mackie during her television shows, changing clothes up to 30 times per show. The looks were often daring: cut-outs, sheer fabrics and rhinestones pushed the boundaries of what television considered acceptable at the time.

At the 1974 Met Gala, she wore Mackie's famous "Naked Dress" — a skin-tight gown made entirely of transparent, flesh-colored Lycra, adorned with rhinestones, sequins and white feathers on the sleeves and hem. The dress created the illusion that the singer was completely naked except for the sparkling crystals. It became an iconic fashion moment. Even today, the dress continues to inspire celebrity fashion.

Not afraid of scandal

Cher also appeared on the cover of Time magazine in 1975 wearing the infamous garment. At the time, the cover was considered so scandalous and revealing that several US cities banned sales of the issue or sold it only under the counter. Unsurprisingly, the magazine quickly sold out.

Anyone who thought Cher might tone things down in the following years was proven wrong in 1989. She made a global musical comeback with a song she initially hated: "If I Could Turn Back Time." The hit's success was largely driven by its accompanying video.  In it, Cher performs on a warship, cheered on by sailors, wearing a transparent mesh bodysuit with only two black V-shaped strips covering her private parts, paired with a leather jacket.

It became a major scandal — the video was deemed unsuitable for younger audiences and MTV relegated it to late-night airtime, which raised the network's ratings. Designer Bob Mackie later described being "embarrassed" by the look, but Cher stood by it.

She continued to wear the so-called "Seatbelt Outfit," or variations of it, during concerts. In 2010, Cher wore the outfit at the MTV Video Music Awards — when presenting an award to Lady Gaga.

The 'Cher Effect'

In 1998 Cher staged yet another spectacular comeback. The dance track "Believe" became the biggest hit of her career thanks in large part to a bold and unprecedented choice: using AutoTune as an obvious, audible effect rather than hiding it.

Prior to that, the software had been used discreetly in recording studios to correct dissonant notes. Cher's team, however, used AutoTune as a stylistic device, letting the robotic sound ring out proudly. Record label executives were skeptical, but Cher reportedly shut down any objections with the words: "You can change that over my dead body."

"Believe" reached number one in 23 countries, became an anthem for the LGBTQ+ community and established Cher as a true pioneer.

Pushing the pitch-correction software on vocals is now known as the "Cher Effect," and it has since become wildly popular on hip-hop, rap and R&B tracks.

Cher today

In 2024, after publicly complaining several times about being overlooked, Cher was finally inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The same year, she released "Cher: The Memoir," the first volume of her two-part autobiography, which topped the New York Times bestseller list. 

She's been romantically linked to music executive Alexander "AE" Edwards since 2022. Cher shrugged off criticism over her 40-year age gap with her younger boyfriend during an appearance on CBS Mornings last November with a simple remark: "Other people don't live my life."

This article was originally written in German.