Sonny, Cher Debut At Saratoga Center
by Don A. Metivier, The Post-Star, August 30, 1972
The singing duo of Sonny and Cher made their debut at Saratoga Performing Arts Center Monday and their two shows attracted total crowds of 18,000 persons.
The present-day answer to Louis Prima and Keeley Smith—right down to their Italian vs. Indian jokes—sang and clowned their way through more than an hour. It could have been one of their television shows except for the large quantities of blue humor which even made Sonny ask during the performance, “Where has our clean family type show gone, this is terrible.”
Their in-person singing should be a lesson for all the modern-day music groups who can’t match their studio quality on a stage.
The songs were perfectly scored and arranged, and their warm, enthusiastic delivery gave the impression they were having a good time, so, everyone watching did too.
Backed by Johnny Costa’s fine orchestra and their own rhythm section, their musical performance was one of the superior pop musical moments at the Spa this season.
Cher appeared on stage for the early part of their program in a full-length gold sheath gown which probably a dozen women in the audience couldn’t fit into. Sonny later changed from his formal attire into what Cher called his “Cowboy suit,” and it was refreshing to see performers take pride in their appearance.
Of late, most of the Saratoga “specials” have appeared in dungarees.
The program was opened by comedian David Brenner, who is seen quite a bit on the Johnny Carson show. His off color humor about set the comedy pace for the evening.
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