The Hire-and-Play Nature of Names in Entertainment: Case Studies of Sonny and Cher
Have you ever wondered why artists sometimes change their names? This question is perfectly illustrated through the career choices and professional lives of Sonny and Cher, two of the biggest names in the entertainment industry during the late 1960s and 1970s. In this article, we explore the reasons behind their name change and the impact it had on their successful career.
Understanding the Name Change Phenomenon
It's not uncommon for aspiring artists to change their names to better fit into the industry or to catch an audience's attention. Sonny Bono and Cherillus Crane made their names known as Sonny and Cher respectively, and there are many other examples throughout history. For instance,
1. Cary Grant, originally Archibald Leach
2. John Wayne, originally Marion Morrison
3. Michael Landon, originally Eugene Orowitz
4. Doris Day, originally Doris Kappelhoff
5. Judy Garland, originally Frances Gumm
6. Lady Gaga, originally Stephanie Germanotta
The Sonny and Cher Story
Before they became a household name, Sonny Bono and Cherillus Crane were simply approaching the music and entertainment world as Sonny and Cher. Their choice of the name was strategic, designed to be catchy and memorable. While their names might not seem particularly alike, their decision to adopt a shared name proved to be a smart branding move, making them more marketable and memorable.
They were so successful that their TV show was named after them, titled The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour. This variety show was not just a showcase of their personal talents but also included up-and-coming comedy talents, making it a huge hit in the 1970s. A notable example is Steve Martin, who became a regular on the show and went on to become a legendary comedian.
The show's popularity was not just due to the characters' names but also to their performances. They had been big since 1965, making it through the 1960s into a residency in Las Vegas in the late 1960s. It was this Las Vegas show that attracted TV producers to give them a regular TV show. The attraction was not just the performance quality but also the draw factor of the names themselves. The combination of the famous names and their talent helped to create a show that was consistently entertaining and successful.
The Late '60s to Early '70s
The late 1960s and early 1970s were a golden era for Sonny and Cher. Beyond their TV show, they were also an integral part of the music scene, with hit songs and albums that resonated with their audience. Their presence in popular culture extended beyond their music and television. An amusing example from this period is a Scooby-Doo episode that guest-starred both Sonny and Cher in Episode 8. This shows how pervasive their presence was in popular culture, even outside of the music and television industry.
Conclusion
Changing one's name in the entertainment industry can be a strategic decision aimed at making artists more marketable and memorable. Sonny and Cher's decision to use a shared name for their show was a masterstroke that helped them become one of the biggest names of the late 1960s and 1970s. The success of The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour, the impact of their presence in Las Vegas, and their guest appearance on a Scooby-Doo episode all point to the power of their branding and the influence of their names in entertainment.
Other famous artists, such as Cary Grant, John Wayne, Michael Landon, Doris Day, Judy Garland, and Lady Gaga, also made similar choices, illustrating how name choices can play a huge role in an artist's career. While their names might not sound alike, the power of branding and personal image cannot be understated. Names are often the first line of introduction, and naming can play a significant role in how an artist is perceived and remembered by the public.