December 25, 2024 • 13 mins
There aren’t many people who are known around the world by just one name... but Cheryl Sarkisian is one them, known as Cher.
The goddess of pop has sold over 100 million records across seven decades, is in the rock and roll hall of fame, has Grammy’s, Emmy’s and even an Academy Award.
Cher is also the only artist to have a number one single on the Billboard chart in seven consecutive decades.
With such an incredible career, and many stories to tell, Cher has released a memoir.
Cher: The Memoir Part One is based on her life from 1946-1976 and follows her childhood, early success and meeting Bono.
Cher joins Tim Beveridge on Newstalk ZB’s Summer Breakfast and says “I’m a good singer, but I’m not a great singer, but I have something in my voice that people connect with.”
The memoir was split into parts because “my life is so long and there was no way we could put it all in one volume.”
The legend says she’s not much of a planner and prefers to take things as they come at her. Despite continuous rumours of reinvention, she clarifies that really she’s just quietly waiting on the next job to appear.
“People think that you’ve been away, busy, reinventing yourself. But then you come back as who you were.”
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Speaker 1 (00:09):
You're listening to a podcast from News Talk sed B.
Follow this and our wide range of podcasts now on iHeartRadio.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
Feel something you say, really will feel something.
Speaker 3 (00:40):
You said you strong.
Speaker 1 (00:46):
Yes.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
There aren't many people who are known around the world
by just one name, Share or Psychasian is one of them.
You'll know her as Share or Share depending on pronunciation,
or as just simply the goddess of pop. It all
started in ninety sixty three, and seven decades later, she
sold over one hundred million records. She's in the Rock
and Roll Hall of Fame. He has Grammys, em isn't
(01:08):
it even an Academy Award. She's also the only artist
to have a number one single on the Billboard chart
in seven consecutive decades. Seven consecutive decades. So with such
an incredible career, you'd have to think she has incredible stories.
And that's why she's just released part one of her memoir.
It's based on her life from nineteen forty six to
seventy six. It's about her childhood, her early success, meeting
(01:30):
Sonny Bono and Share joins me. Now, good morning, good morning,
thanks so much for your time. When I told my
young daughter I was interviewing share and she asked me
whose share was. I said, well, she's a global cultural icon,
an actress and a singer. Did I get that right?
Speaker 4 (01:47):
I guess so. Well, icon is a little over the top.
Speaker 3 (01:50):
Oh okay, do you have a feeling of how influential
you have become in culture?
Speaker 4 (01:58):
Well, your little daughter didn't know me, so obviously I
haven't hit I haven't ederade group yet.
Speaker 3 (02:03):
The funny thing was, my other daughter has only a
little bit older. She knew exactly who you were. They're
all catching up.
Speaker 4 (02:10):
But I guess. I mean, look, if you can't be
around as long as I have been and not have people.
Speaker 3 (02:16):
Know you, Yeah, when did you just going back to
the early days, when did you know you were a
good singer that you would have something there? Did you
know that within yourself or was it because other people
saw it?
Speaker 4 (02:31):
Well, I actually didn't think I was a good singer
until oh so I met my teacher, till I met
my singing teacher. But I have a certain something. Look,
I'm not a great singer. I'm a good singer, but
I'm not a great singer. But I have something in
my voice that people connect with.
Speaker 3 (02:51):
So the book did you write the book for you.
Was it a sort of cathartic thing or was it
something you really wanted to give your fans.
Speaker 4 (03:00):
Well, I didn't write it for me, honestly, and I
just thought I wrote it a couple of different times too,
and then at the last one, which was I guess
the third one, I just decided I would write it
a little more honestly and tell more than I wanted to.
That's when you know it's good.
Speaker 3 (03:20):
Did you plan it out as you were writing or
did you just start telling the story and realize, actually,
I've got a lot more to say, let's make this
part one.
Speaker 4 (03:30):
Well, no, it's because my life is so long and
there was no way we could put it all in
one in one volume. It just didn't make any sense.
So that's that's why. That's why it kind of you know,
that's the way.
Speaker 2 (03:45):
It is, the way my life is.
Speaker 1 (03:48):
You.
Speaker 3 (03:49):
I think I saw the word Dickensie and you've described
your upbringing. Can you tell us a bit more about
that your early life?
Speaker 4 (03:55):
Well, I thought it was very good actually, because so
many things happened. You know, I was poor, I was
in an orphanage, you know, I you know, I had
to wear rubber bands on my shoes a couple of times.
So there was you know, we didn't have food sometimes,
I mean, and then sometimes we had everything, you know depends.
(04:19):
I mean, it was. It was so up and down.
It was crazy.
Speaker 3 (04:24):
Do you look back at those early days, even though
they were really tough? Are this in a negative or
a sort of positive light? Difficult to sum it up?
I know, But how do you how would you describe
your feelings about your early days?
Speaker 4 (04:37):
Well, I remember, I mean I also had so much
fun and my mother was could be very troublesome sometimes
and but you know, kids always think their parents are troublesome.
And but our life was, you know, not easy, and
my mother's life was definitely not easy. So but you know,
(05:01):
when you're busy living your life. And also it wasn't
all tragedy. We had so much fun. We did so
many things. My mom had so many you know, great
friends that were and I was the only child, for
I was only the only child in a group of
about twenty people, so I was I had a really
I had a really interesting life at that time because
(05:23):
they were all artists and I didn't even know there
were people that weren't artists.
Speaker 3 (05:28):
Are some of those connections have they lasted throughout the years?
Speaker 4 (05:33):
Well, yeah, but most of those people are dead.
Speaker 3 (05:37):
Yes, I guess so. After a sixty year career. Sixty
years and some people would say you were famous for
reinventing yourself. Is that something that you have consciously done
over the years, or do you just do you?
Speaker 4 (05:52):
That's sex bullshit. I never reinvented anything. It was that
sometimes you just are out of the public eye. You
can't get a job, you can't do anything, and then
you do something and people think that you've, I don't know,
been a way busy reinventing your but then you come
back as who you were. You just do another job.
Speaker 3 (06:13):
Yeah, what is it? One of those things? So you
just keep on keeping on and then all of a
sudden someone notices you and go hey, look shares back
and you're like, well I never went anywhere.
Speaker 4 (06:22):
Yeah. I mean it's like first like you can't get arrested,
and then you keep going and then you come up
with something different and people think that you were busy
away reinventing yourself.
Speaker 3 (06:34):
It sort of answers another question I had, which can
you actually plan for the sort of success you have
or do you just plan to keep going day after day,
gig after gig.
Speaker 4 (06:44):
Well, I just I don't know when my next gig
will be. I don't know what might like. I know
the next thing I'm doing is an album.
Speaker 3 (06:51):
Yeah, so I know that.
Speaker 4 (06:54):
But after that, I never plan anything. I just don't,
you know. And I mean I'll be working on the
film that's not gonna be for a little while. Well,
I guess we can start it now. Yeah, but I
don't plan. I'm not much of a planner, not a
planner at all. Something comes my way and I either
(07:17):
do it or I don't, or I go after something.
If I if I've failed at one thing, I'd just
go after another thing.
Speaker 3 (07:25):
Yes, welcome back to Summer Breakfast and we are talking
with none other than Share. So let's get back into it.
So Share, tell me where did the acting start. You've
had an Academy award, a Golden Globe. How long did
that percolate for before you burst onto the scene.
Speaker 4 (07:43):
Well, I wanted to be an actor. What I wanted
to be when I was little was an actress. I
wanted to be an actress, a singer, and a comedian,
and I hit all three I studied acting for about,
oh gosh, maybe six months, and I and my teacher,
I was the only young person. I think I would
(08:03):
just gotten my driver's permit, so I just was sixteen
and there were no children or people my age, so
everybody was grown up and some people were actually working.
And I loved doing it. But my teacher was always
so tough on me. And then when I left, because
(08:25):
I knew he liked me, but I didn't understand why
he would be so tough on me. And when I left,
I said, you know, just answer me. Why were you
tough on me? And he said, because you were the
best one in the class.
Speaker 3 (08:39):
So when it comes to your voice, has your voice
evolved over the years. Obviously as people get older, things change,
But was it difficult to maintain and look after your
voice over such a lengthy period of time your long career.
Speaker 4 (08:58):
Well, I'm just I think I'm just lucky because I mean,
I hit all the notes in the in this Christmas
album that I've been hitting for my whole life, so
so far, fingers crossed, I can still. I don't have to.
I don't have to key down, you know, I don't
have to lower my keys.
Speaker 3 (09:15):
No, with the with your albums and recording and music
for you when you approach a song, is it the
lyrics that attract you to a song first or the
tune what comes first for you?
Speaker 4 (09:28):
I think the melody?
Speaker 3 (09:31):
How important are the lyrics?
Speaker 4 (09:33):
Oh, the lyrics are really important. But one of my
favorite songs, it's been one of my favorite songs since
it came out, and it makes no sense is proco
Harms of Wider, Shade of Pail and nothing. I'm sure
they were all high.
Speaker 3 (09:54):
Maybe.
Speaker 4 (09:56):
I mean, listen to the album, listen to the lyrics.
They make no sense at all. It's really funny that,
and it was always it was always in my top
ten because I just love the sound.
Speaker 3 (10:09):
I guess from song to song it's different, doesn't it,
Because sometimes the melody and the music tells the story
and the words maybe don't matter so much. Is that
fair enough?
Speaker 4 (10:18):
Well? I think I don't think that's true. I think
that sometimes it's the vocal. It's like Michael McDonald could
sing anything and make it sound great. He could sing
the Telephone Book. Yeah, and Stevie Wonder. There are so
many Tina and so many people that are so brilliant
(10:39):
that they can make anything sounds great. But in like
in the if you're doing a film, it all starts
with the word you know and and so that's that's
it's a little bit more important with the film because
you don't have anything else to back you up. It's
just you. But with with singing, it a lot of
(11:02):
it for me has to do with the melody. But
you know, I I there's I have favorite people that
I just don't care what they sing.
Speaker 3 (11:11):
Well, who are those favorite people?
Speaker 4 (11:13):
Well, Tina for sure, yeah, and Stevie for sure and
Cyndi Lauper.
Speaker 3 (11:22):
You don't have it doesn't have to be an extensive
list as a slam for a couple of names there.
That's yeah, no, fascinating. So what's the album you're doing next?
Speaker 4 (11:31):
Well, right now, it's just songs that we're doing and
then it will form into an album.
Speaker 3 (11:37):
How long will that take? What's the process for you?
Speaker 4 (11:40):
I'm pretty quick, But but you know, some songs sing
themselves and sometimes songs you just have to struggle with them.
Speaker 3 (11:49):
Do you know when you've got a hit, when you're
in the studio and you're delivering a performance and you
think that is going to be the number one hit
or are you often surprised at what resonates with the public.
Speaker 4 (12:01):
Not really, I pretty much know, like you hear a
song and you just know.
Speaker 3 (12:08):
Hey, you so that your next challenge is the album
and the book wins Part two out.
Speaker 4 (12:15):
Part two is going to be out. I think Thanksgiving?
Speaker 3 (12:20):
Okay, it's all written.
Speaker 4 (12:23):
No, did I just I don't know if I just
told you. I just don't plan. I'll just when it's
the deadline and I have to start it, That's when
I'll start.
Speaker 3 (12:32):
Okay, Okay, hey, look she thank you so much for
joining me this morning. I really appreciate your time.
Speaker 4 (12:38):
Oh you're welcome talking to you and all the.
Speaker 3 (12:41):
Best for the album.
Speaker 4 (12:43):
Thank you.
Speaker 3 (12:45):
There we are. That's Share. I don't mind telling you
I'm a little bit nervous interviewing Share because well, I
think how many interviews she's done over her career. Just
an amazing, amazing show business career, and she is a
global pop icon. Anyway. I love the bit where she
(13:06):
said about you know, never reinvented herself, which people just
noticed her again. We'll be back in just a moment.
It's twenty two minutes past eight.
Speaker 1 (13:15):
For more from News Talks, ed B listen live on
air or online, and keep our shows with you wherever
you go with our podcasts on iHeartRadio
You're listening to a podcast from News Talk sed B.
Follow this and our wide range of podcasts now on iHeartRadio.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
Feel something you say, really will feel something.
Speaker 3 (00:40):
You said you strong.
Speaker 1 (00:46):
Yes.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
There aren't many people who are known around the world
by just one name, Share or Psychasian is one of them.
You'll know her as Share or Share depending on pronunciation,
or as just simply the goddess of pop. It all
started in ninety sixty three, and seven decades later, she
sold over one hundred million records. She's in the Rock
and Roll Hall of Fame. He has Grammys, em isn't
(01:08):
it even an Academy Award. She's also the only artist
to have a number one single on the Billboard chart
in seven consecutive decades. Seven consecutive decades. So with such
an incredible career, you'd have to think she has incredible stories.
And that's why she's just released part one of her memoir.
It's based on her life from nineteen forty six to
seventy six. It's about her childhood, her early success, meeting
(01:30):
Sonny Bono and Share joins me. Now, good morning, good morning,
thanks so much for your time. When I told my
young daughter I was interviewing share and she asked me
whose share was. I said, well, she's a global cultural icon,
an actress and a singer. Did I get that right?
Speaker 4 (01:47):
I guess so. Well, icon is a little over the top.
Speaker 3 (01:50):
Oh okay, do you have a feeling of how influential
you have become in culture?
Speaker 4 (01:58):
Well, your little daughter didn't know me, so obviously I
haven't hit I haven't ederade group yet.
Speaker 3 (02:03):
The funny thing was, my other daughter has only a
little bit older. She knew exactly who you were. They're
all catching up.
Speaker 4 (02:10):
But I guess. I mean, look, if you can't be
around as long as I have been and not have people.
Speaker 3 (02:16):
Know you, Yeah, when did you just going back to
the early days, when did you know you were a
good singer that you would have something there? Did you
know that within yourself or was it because other people
saw it?
Speaker 4 (02:31):
Well, I actually didn't think I was a good singer
until oh so I met my teacher, till I met
my singing teacher. But I have a certain something. Look,
I'm not a great singer. I'm a good singer, but
I'm not a great singer. But I have something in
my voice that people connect with.
Speaker 3 (02:51):
So the book did you write the book for you.
Was it a sort of cathartic thing or was it
something you really wanted to give your fans.
Speaker 4 (03:00):
Well, I didn't write it for me, honestly, and I
just thought I wrote it a couple of different times too,
and then at the last one, which was I guess
the third one, I just decided I would write it
a little more honestly and tell more than I wanted to.
That's when you know it's good.
Speaker 3 (03:20):
Did you plan it out as you were writing or
did you just start telling the story and realize, actually,
I've got a lot more to say, let's make this
part one.
Speaker 4 (03:30):
Well, no, it's because my life is so long and
there was no way we could put it all in
one in one volume. It just didn't make any sense.
So that's that's why. That's why it kind of you know,
that's the way.
Speaker 2 (03:45):
It is, the way my life is.
Speaker 1 (03:48):
You.
Speaker 3 (03:49):
I think I saw the word Dickensie and you've described
your upbringing. Can you tell us a bit more about
that your early life?
Speaker 4 (03:55):
Well, I thought it was very good actually, because so
many things happened. You know, I was poor, I was
in an orphanage, you know, I you know, I had
to wear rubber bands on my shoes a couple of times.
So there was you know, we didn't have food sometimes,
I mean, and then sometimes we had everything, you know depends.
(04:19):
I mean, it was. It was so up and down.
It was crazy.
Speaker 3 (04:24):
Do you look back at those early days, even though
they were really tough? Are this in a negative or
a sort of positive light? Difficult to sum it up?
I know, But how do you how would you describe
your feelings about your early days?
Speaker 4 (04:37):
Well, I remember, I mean I also had so much
fun and my mother was could be very troublesome sometimes
and but you know, kids always think their parents are troublesome.
And but our life was, you know, not easy, and
my mother's life was definitely not easy. So but you know,
(05:01):
when you're busy living your life. And also it wasn't
all tragedy. We had so much fun. We did so
many things. My mom had so many you know, great
friends that were and I was the only child, for
I was only the only child in a group of
about twenty people, so I was I had a really
I had a really interesting life at that time because
(05:23):
they were all artists and I didn't even know there
were people that weren't artists.
Speaker 3 (05:28):
Are some of those connections have they lasted throughout the years?
Speaker 4 (05:33):
Well, yeah, but most of those people are dead.
Speaker 3 (05:37):
Yes, I guess so. After a sixty year career. Sixty
years and some people would say you were famous for
reinventing yourself. Is that something that you have consciously done
over the years, or do you just do you?
Speaker 4 (05:52):
That's sex bullshit. I never reinvented anything. It was that
sometimes you just are out of the public eye. You
can't get a job, you can't do anything, and then
you do something and people think that you've, I don't know,
been a way busy reinventing your but then you come
back as who you were. You just do another job.
Speaker 3 (06:13):
Yeah, what is it? One of those things? So you
just keep on keeping on and then all of a
sudden someone notices you and go hey, look shares back
and you're like, well I never went anywhere.
Speaker 4 (06:22):
Yeah. I mean it's like first like you can't get arrested,
and then you keep going and then you come up
with something different and people think that you were busy
away reinventing yourself.
Speaker 3 (06:34):
It sort of answers another question I had, which can
you actually plan for the sort of success you have
or do you just plan to keep going day after day,
gig after gig.
Speaker 4 (06:44):
Well, I just I don't know when my next gig
will be. I don't know what might like. I know
the next thing I'm doing is an album.
Speaker 3 (06:51):
Yeah, so I know that.
Speaker 4 (06:54):
But after that, I never plan anything. I just don't,
you know. And I mean I'll be working on the
film that's not gonna be for a little while. Well,
I guess we can start it now. Yeah, but I
don't plan. I'm not much of a planner, not a
planner at all. Something comes my way and I either
(07:17):
do it or I don't, or I go after something.
If I if I've failed at one thing, I'd just
go after another thing.
Speaker 3 (07:25):
Yes, welcome back to Summer Breakfast and we are talking
with none other than Share. So let's get back into it.
So Share, tell me where did the acting start. You've
had an Academy award, a Golden Globe. How long did
that percolate for before you burst onto the scene.
Speaker 4 (07:43):
Well, I wanted to be an actor. What I wanted
to be when I was little was an actress. I
wanted to be an actress, a singer, and a comedian,
and I hit all three I studied acting for about,
oh gosh, maybe six months, and I and my teacher,
I was the only young person. I think I would
(08:03):
just gotten my driver's permit, so I just was sixteen
and there were no children or people my age, so
everybody was grown up and some people were actually working.
And I loved doing it. But my teacher was always
so tough on me. And then when I left, because
(08:25):
I knew he liked me, but I didn't understand why
he would be so tough on me. And when I left,
I said, you know, just answer me. Why were you
tough on me? And he said, because you were the
best one in the class.
Speaker 3 (08:39):
So when it comes to your voice, has your voice
evolved over the years. Obviously as people get older, things change,
But was it difficult to maintain and look after your
voice over such a lengthy period of time your long career.
Speaker 4 (08:58):
Well, I'm just I think I'm just lucky because I mean,
I hit all the notes in the in this Christmas
album that I've been hitting for my whole life, so
so far, fingers crossed, I can still. I don't have to.
I don't have to key down, you know, I don't
have to lower my keys.
Speaker 3 (09:15):
No, with the with your albums and recording and music
for you when you approach a song, is it the
lyrics that attract you to a song first or the
tune what comes first for you?
Speaker 4 (09:28):
I think the melody?
Speaker 3 (09:31):
How important are the lyrics?
Speaker 4 (09:33):
Oh, the lyrics are really important. But one of my
favorite songs, it's been one of my favorite songs since
it came out, and it makes no sense is proco
Harms of Wider, Shade of Pail and nothing. I'm sure
they were all high.
Speaker 3 (09:54):
Maybe.
Speaker 4 (09:56):
I mean, listen to the album, listen to the lyrics.
They make no sense at all. It's really funny that,
and it was always it was always in my top
ten because I just love the sound.
Speaker 3 (10:09):
I guess from song to song it's different, doesn't it,
Because sometimes the melody and the music tells the story
and the words maybe don't matter so much. Is that
fair enough?
Speaker 4 (10:18):
Well? I think I don't think that's true. I think
that sometimes it's the vocal. It's like Michael McDonald could
sing anything and make it sound great. He could sing
the Telephone Book. Yeah, and Stevie Wonder. There are so
many Tina and so many people that are so brilliant
(10:39):
that they can make anything sounds great. But in like
in the if you're doing a film, it all starts
with the word you know and and so that's that's
it's a little bit more important with the film because
you don't have anything else to back you up. It's
just you. But with with singing, it a lot of
(11:02):
it for me has to do with the melody. But
you know, I I there's I have favorite people that
I just don't care what they sing.
Speaker 3 (11:11):
Well, who are those favorite people?
Speaker 4 (11:13):
Well, Tina for sure, yeah, and Stevie for sure and
Cyndi Lauper.
Speaker 3 (11:22):
You don't have it doesn't have to be an extensive
list as a slam for a couple of names there.
That's yeah, no, fascinating. So what's the album you're doing next?
Speaker 4 (11:31):
Well, right now, it's just songs that we're doing and
then it will form into an album.
Speaker 3 (11:37):
How long will that take? What's the process for you?
Speaker 4 (11:40):
I'm pretty quick, But but you know, some songs sing
themselves and sometimes songs you just have to struggle with them.
Speaker 3 (11:49):
Do you know when you've got a hit, when you're
in the studio and you're delivering a performance and you
think that is going to be the number one hit
or are you often surprised at what resonates with the public.
Speaker 4 (12:01):
Not really, I pretty much know, like you hear a
song and you just know.
Speaker 3 (12:08):
Hey, you so that your next challenge is the album
and the book wins Part two out.
Speaker 4 (12:15):
Part two is going to be out. I think Thanksgiving?
Speaker 3 (12:20):
Okay, it's all written.
Speaker 4 (12:23):
No, did I just I don't know if I just
told you. I just don't plan. I'll just when it's
the deadline and I have to start it, That's when
I'll start.
Speaker 3 (12:32):
Okay, Okay, hey, look she thank you so much for
joining me this morning. I really appreciate your time.
Speaker 4 (12:38):
Oh you're welcome talking to you and all the.
Speaker 3 (12:41):
Best for the album.
Speaker 4 (12:43):
Thank you.
Speaker 3 (12:45):
There we are. That's Share. I don't mind telling you
I'm a little bit nervous interviewing Share because well, I
think how many interviews she's done over her career. Just
an amazing, amazing show business career, and she is a
global pop icon. Anyway. I love the bit where she
(13:06):
said about you know, never reinvented herself, which people just
noticed her again. We'll be back in just a moment.
It's twenty two minutes past eight.
Speaker 1 (13:15):
For more from News Talks, ed B listen live on
air or online, and keep our shows with you wherever
you go with our podcasts on iHeartRadio
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I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
The Breakfast Club
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy And Charlamagne Tha God!
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.