7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting read, but sometimes inaccurate, November 11, 2005
Although I believe Sonny was trying to be honest in this book, Cher and Chastity Bono have both stated inaccurate information. Sonny & Cher have completely different stories regarding their initial meeting, and exactly when they stopped sleeping in twin beds and actually became "involved" with each other. I suspect it's due to the age factor. Cher was 16 when they met.... In the book Sonny claims they met in April 62, but that would have made Cher 15 at the time. I've heard their actual meeting at Aldo's occured in November of 62. I think Sonny just has some of his dates mixed up and who knows the truth about when their relationship became more than "platonic". At any rate, I had to laugh at Sonny's description of the lack of "fireworks" in the bedroom.....that was an obvious pot shot at Cher. Cher claims that before she had Chastity, she had 4 miscarriages. Sonny only recounts two, but for someone who claimed his relationship lacked "fireworks" in the bedroom, his "wife" sure had enough pregnancies.
Another interesting point is that Sonny and Cher's supposed marriage in 1964 was a ruse. I guess nobody bothered to confirm the fact that they weren't legally married. Oh sure, they married themselves in the bathroom of their house and exchanged cheap sterling rings (his said "CHER", hers "SONNY"--they're seen wearing these rings in photos throughout the 60's and featured prominently in their movie "Good Times"). They didn't actually legally marry until Chastity was 8 or 9 months old....sometime in the fall of 1969.
The most interesting part of the book, is Sonny's early work in the record industry (nobody can ever claim that Sonny was a slacker--he had tenacity and determination in everything he undertook), and especially his time spent with Phil Spector at Gold Star studios. His stories of Spector just confirm the weirdness that is Phil Spector. Spector was prone to fits of anger, hissy-fits and just general oddness. I laughed out loud as Sonny recounted Phil spending hours in his car trying to find the perfect driving position in which he'd look "coolest" (arm out the window, one finger on the wheel, sunglasses on or off?, back towards the window).
The whole Sonny & Cher relationship gets a little sad towards the end, and I found myself feeling sorry for Sonny. I suspect through his words, he still held a great deal of fondness for Cher, but the two of them just couldn't stop taking shots at each other in the press. I also have no doubt that despite Cher's tough exterior and constant rants about her terrible marriage to Sonny, she felt the same fondness towards him. Nobody who talks the way that Cher did to the press prior to Sonny's passing and then behaves the way that she did upon hearing of his death, and the ensuing funeral is being entirely truthful (hence the accusations of Cher "acting", and using his death as a publicity springboard). I suspect there were some deep, deep feelings there, but the two of them were both so stubborn and prideful that they couldn't get past the hurtful bantering.
Despite some inaccurate info. This book is still an interesting read as Sonny is mostly quite honest with his emotions.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
His love for Cher jumps out from between the lines, April 16, 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: And the Beat Goes On (Mass Market Paperback)
Sonny's seemlingly honest rendition of his life (mainly his life with Cher) is enjoyable, brutally honest at times, and often both refreshingly funny and painfully sad. Although he doesn't hesitate to criticize Cher, he owns up to many of his own weaknesses and mistakes as well. It is evident that despite their painful divorce, Sonny still has great affection (and no doubt love) for his ex-wife. He is still searching for answers as to why their relationship ended the way it did and all these years later, he still seems at a loss to explain it. Clearly, Cher was his soulmate, the love of his life. Bono tells us this without really stating it plainly. And despite his subsequent marriages and political career, Sonny was never able to rid his heart of the dark haired 16-year-old girl he met in a Hollywood coffee shop. A must-read for all Sonny and Cher fans. This tragic love story will break your heart.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Read the Book, May 23, 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: And the Beat Goes On (Mass Market Paperback)
This Is a really good book, I decided to read it after I read THE FIRST TIME by Cher because I really am into Sonny&Cher. It gives good details and he doesn't tell lies in it to make himself look good. A lot of the information is the same as in The First Time. Read it, and you'll know a lot more a bout Sonny Bono.
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