Cher's story of grit is purely American

My favorite part of Cher’s recently published memoir, bar none, is the biographical note: “Cher is a global icon.” Virtually any other celebrity would be required to rehearse a slew of accolades. But not Cher. In her case, it’s patently unnecessary. You already know her. You’ve always known her.

I’ve always known her, too. In the early 1970s, I was a faithful viewer of the "Sonny & Cher" variety show. To my seven-year-old mind, they had already achieved the most significant fame that a kid from the Houston suburbs could reasonably measure: they had been animated guest stars on "Scooby-Doo." I’ll say it again. "Scooby-Doo."

When Sonny and Cher settled in for an extended residency at Houston’s Livestock Show and Rodeo, I begged my parents to take me to see the duo’s Astrodome performance. “We’re not rodeo people,” my mother coldly informed me. “But I’m a 'Scooby-Doo' kid,” I replied. As it turned out, mom was right. The hog-tying did absolutely nothing for me. But Sonny and Cher exceeded my dreams. When they launched into “I Got You Babe,” the Dome’s massive crowd responded with a veritable roar. It was my very first concert.