GAYS LOVE CHER

STEVEN SPILLS © 89

SHARING CHER

I was watching Burlesque with my husband over dinner the other night and began telling him the story of the first time I saw Cher live in person. It was 1980 and I was twelve-years-old roaming the Las Vegas Strip alone at night heading to Caesar’s Palace to catch the headliner’s glamorous show. We were staying at the MGM Grand that is now home to Bally’s and during these days you could walk straight across the street without traveling the escalators and overhead walkways of today. Now everything is a production navigating through the resorts.

My father would take me to Sin City with him on trips called “junkets” that were package deals through travel agents and included accommodations for two, a couple of nights stay, flight, etc. Also, dad was a big gambler. So he’d toss me a few hundred bucks and send me on my way shopping or whatever, gambling that I wouldn’t get snatched up by someone as he planted himself with a drink in the casino. However, this was the adventure where a strange man couldn’t let me be without basically chasing me through the casino after cruising this not-yet-a-teenager in the bathroom. I lost him through the slot machines but was a little panicked, nonetheless. These exciting excursions began my never-ending love for Las Vegas and it will never change.

Cher was actually the first one who introduced me to female impersonation. Wait a minute. Does David Bowie’s “Ziggy Stardust” count?! He freaked me out as a child! But I digress. As I was sitting there second-row at the Cher show, I watched in amazement as she slid down an oversized pump and had numerous costume changes of risqué beaded and rhinestone creations. How did a kid of twelve sit so close in a Vegas showroom without parental guidance? My father told me to slide the host a twenty to sit closer and as I flashed him the cash he led me down towards the stage but never took the money. I was in awe when both Bette Midler and Diana Ross were also in performing in the show.

OK, well… they were impersonators and I was hooked. I remember thinking that it sure was amazing they were both there performing with Cher and then it hit me. They were obviously men dressed as the two divas but they looked damn good. Candi Stratton, Chad Michaels and Rochelle Wilson all do an impersonation of Cher that is beyond believable. Tandi Andrews and Elgin Kenna turned it out on stages of the past. I’m a hard sell and a black wig with tongue licking lips dressed in fishnets does not a Cher make. Many queens believe they can do it and try really hard. Of all the endearing characters that impersonators perform as, Cher is right up there in popularity as Mommie Dearest, Madonna, Elizabeth Taylor’s Cleopatra, Liza with a Z and a coke-snorting Whitney Houston.

We all know the extensive musical catalogue of Cher including my favorites: sass-filled “Just Like Jesse James,” torch song “Heart of Stone,” Junior Vasquez charger “One by One,” and runway-walking “Bang Bang.” I feel daggers not mentioning other musical pleasures but it’s my word count, you know! OK, toss in the chill-tastic upper “You Take It All.” There I’m done. (wait for generous pause) I guess mentioning the testifying anthem of “I Found Someone” would be pushing it, huh?! “Believe” me, I’m moving on.

CHER is the only artist to have a #1 ranking on the Billboard charts in the last six decades. And she is the only person in history to win an Oscar, Golden Globe, Emmy, Cannes Film Festival and Grammy award. She is known as the Goddess of Pop and is humble enough to hold Lady Gaga’s meat purse without flinching. I love Cher and am better for the inspiration she has created by being a pioneer and trailblazer not only in entertainment but for the gays who worship her.

I saw her Farewell Tour, twice. She was robbed of not being nominated for a musical award at this year’s Oscar or Grammy shows for “You Haven’t Seen the Last of Me” from Burlesque. Totally robbed. The public and media haven’t always been kind or supportive of Cher but they are always there when she succeeds which is often. The critics slayed Burlesque while we loved the film. It was predictably familiar and comfortable to enjoy. Cher looked amazing and Christina Aguilera did a great job belting her blues away. Sexy-man Stanley Tucci is always a plus and the soundtrack and remixes are fierce. Enjoy the film and don’t over think it. It’s another genius musical escape with Cher at the helm and I am better for having bought a ticket.

2011 © PULP