Sonny Bono
Salvatore Phillip "Sonny" Bono was born on February 16, 1935, in Detroit, Michigan, to Italian immigrant parents. He moved to Los Angeles at the age of seven. Bono dropped out of Inglewood High School and worked various jobs while pursuing a career in music. He began his music career as a songwriter and singer for Johnny Otis's Dig Records label in the early 1960s, working with artists like Sam Cooke and Phil Spector.
In the early 1960s, Bono met Cherilyn Sarkisian, known as Cher, forming the iconic duo Sonny & Cher. They achieved great success with hits like "I Got You Babe" and "The Beat Goes On." The couple also hosted The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour on television, which was popular until their split in 1975.
After his music career waned, Bono transitioned into politics, serving as the mayor of Palm Springs, California, from 1988 to 1992. In 1994, he was elected to the U.S. Congress as a representative from California's 44th district. Bono was a member of the Republican Party and was known for his wit and conservative views.
Sonny Bono died in a skiing accident on January 5, 1998, in Stateline, Nevada. He was survived by his fourth wife, Mary Whitaker Bono, and their two children, as well as two daughters from previous marriages. The United States Copyright Term Extension Act of 1998 was named in his honor.
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