If you would read Robert Greene’s book, The Art of Seduction, he describes and archetype of person that he calls the Star. The attributes of the seductive star consist of having “a style or presence that makes you stand out from everyone else, be vague and dreamlike, and yet not distant or absent, and a quality of timelessness”.
Cher embodies so many of these characteristics and she has morphed with the times. For many of us, our memories come from when she was in our living rooms via our TV and The Sonny and Cher show. Her innocence and beauty caught many an eye. As time went on though Cher showed more of her sexual nature and seduced us with not only her voice, but her siren-like sensuousness that exuded off of her. She became far and above one of the biggest stars and queen of tabloid gossip with noted relationships with the likes of Gene Simmons and Gregg Allman.
In the 80’s she established herself as an accomplished actress starring in films like Silkwood and Mask as well as earning an Academy Award for her performance in Moonstruck. She hit the charts again with some pop friendly rock songs in the ’80s and a global dance hit, “Believe,” in the late ’90s. In the 2000’s she has had runs in Las Vegas, a new album, and even appeared in Mama Mia: Here We Go Again.
Last Thursday night Cher hit the PPG Arena in Pittsburgh and proved she still has not lost a step. At 72 Cher still looks amazing and began the show by descending from the rafters in full Vegas-like regalia. Cher stuck to mainly her hits and a few ABBA covers and overall her voice was still pretty mighty. Cher even took some time to talk to the audience, reminiscing about Sonny, being in Moonstruck, how she almost was not chosen for Witches of Eastwick, and a bit about the famous Studio 54.
Some highlights of the show included when she sang her memorable hits ‘with Sonny’ via the video screen memories, the trio of ABBA covers, and the crowd reaction and performance of her smash “If I Could Turn Back Time,” and “Believe.” Full set list below picture via setlist.fm.
ALL PHOTOS © 2019 ED THOMPSON
- Woman’s WorldP
- Strong Enough
- Gayatri Mantra
- All or Nothing
- Sonny & Cher: Little Man/All I Ever Need Is You
- The Beat Goes On(Sonny & Cher song)
- I Got You Babe(Sonny & Cher song)
- You Haven’t Seen the Last of Me
- Welcome to Burlesque
- Lie to Me
- Waterloo(ABBA cover)
- SOS(ABBA cover)
- Fernando(ABBA cover)
- After All
- Heartbreak Hotel(Elvis Presley song)
- Walking in Memphis(Marc Cohn cover)
- The Shoop Shoop Song (It’s in His Kiss)(Betty Everett cover)
- Guitar Solo – Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)
- I Found Someone(Michael Bolton cover)
- If I Could Turn Back Time
- Believe