Sonny & Cher
Although touted as the misunderstood young lovers of 1965 folk rock Sonny Bono and Cher were not as fresh and naive as their image suggested. Salvatore Bono (b. 16 February 1935, Detroit, Michigan) already had a chequered history in the music business stretching back to the late '50s when he wrote and produced records by such artists as Larry Williams, Wynona Carr and Don And Dewey. Bono also recorded for several small labels under an array of aliases such as Don Christy, Sonny Christy and Ronny Sommers. With arranger Jack Nitzsche, he co-wrote Needles And Pins, a UK number 1 for the Searchers in 1964. That same year, Sonny married Cherilyn Sarkasian La Pier (b. 20 May 1946, El Centro, California) whom he had met while recording with the renowned producer Phil Spector. Although the duo recorded a couple of singles under the exotic name Caeser And Cleo, it was as Sonny and Cher that they found fame with the transatlantic number 1 I GOT YOU BABE. Arranged by the underrated Harold Battiste, the single was a majestic example of romanticized folk rock and one of the best produced discs of its time. Bono's carefree, bohemian image obscured the workings of a music business veteran and it was no coincidence that he took full advantage of the pair's high profile. During late 1965, they dominated the charts as both a duo and soloists with such hits was Baby Don't Go, All I Really Want To Do, Laugh At Me, Just You and But You're Mine. Although their excessive output resulted in diminishing returns, their lean periods were still punctuated by further hits, most notably Little Man and The Beat Goes On. By the late '60s, they had fallen from critical grace, but starred in a couple of low budget movies, Good Times and Chastity. A brief resurgence as MOR entertainers in the '70s brought them their own television series, although by that time they had divorced. Eventually, extra-curricular acting activities ended their long-standing musical partnership. 
While Cher went on to achieve a phenomenally successful acting and singing career, Bono also continued to work as an actor, but adopted a completely different role in 1988 when he was voted mayor of Palm Springs.