Cher 2000-2002
In 1987, at the age 41, Cher revived her recording career after a five-year hiatus, under the coordination of rock producer and A&R man John Kalodner. Now with Geffen Records, Cher released the first of three highly successful rock albums, produced by Kalodner and featuring songwriting contributions from the likes of Diane Warren, Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, Desmond Child, and Michael Bolton. Darlene Love and Bonnie Tyler provided guest vocals. Cher was released in 1987, and featured the comeback single I Found Someone (previously a Hot 100 hit for Laura Branigan), as well as We All Sleep Alone (#14, 1988). The album was Cher's biggest yet, being certified platinum in the US (1 million) and selling 6 million copies worldwide. Cher also tried her hand at producing, with the film Harry and the Hendersons.
Cher in the music video for If I Could Turn Back Time.Cher experienced her most successful comeback yet in 1989. At age 43, she released the album Heart of Stone. As on her previous album, Michael Bolton, Jon Bon Jovi, Diane Warren and Desmond Child handled songwriting and/or producing duties. The album was originally released with cover artwork featuring Cher sitting in front of a heart made of stone, creating the illusion of a skull. Heart of Stone became her most successful album to date, selling eleven million copies worldwide, and being certified 3x Platinum by the RIAA.
The album's biggest hit came with the rock hymne If I Could Turn Back Time, which topped the charts in Australia, peaked at #3 in the US and reached the Top 10 in the UK and some countries around the globe. Further hits from the album were Just Like Jesse James (US Top 10, Top 20 in Australia) and Heart of Stone (US Top 20), and it also contained the hit duet with Peter Cetera, After All (US #6). The video for If I Could Turn Back Time caused controversy, because in it Cher wore a very thin, see-through outfit. Many networks on television, including MTV, initially refused to air the video. MTV network eventually played the video, but only after 9 p.m. This was the second video to be banned by MTV, the first being Laura Branigan's 1984 video for Self Control). Cher also launched the Heart of Stone Tour, which played throughout 1989 and 1990 in various parts of the world. She also starred in the television special Cher - Live at the Mirage, which was filmed during a live concert in Las Vegas.
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