Sonny & Cher on Letterman, November 13, 1987 (full show, stereo) + 2015

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Published 2017-01-15

One of the top shows in Late Night's 11 1/2-year run, presented in full here and in stereo. First preceded by Dave promoting the appearance the night before and then Bill Wendell's pre-announce. From the repeat of October 8, 1988. (There were two LNs broadcast this night, the first a new show that aired in Carson's slot at 11:30 PM -- the Tonight Show's 26th Anniversary special had aired earlier in prime time -- and then this repeat at 12:30 am.)

Accompanying Cher with her performance of "I Found Someone" and then later with Sonny were John McCurry on second guitar, vocalist Pattie Darcy, and, on synthesizer, Cliff Carter, who was part of the 24th Street Band with Will Lee, Hiram Bullock, and Steve Jordan in the late '70s to early '80s, a band whose second LP in 1980 was produced by Paul Shaffer.

This same ensemble would accompany Cher on SNL a week later on November 21.

That same week later, on November 20, Dave shows a photo that had been taken during the break after Cher's performance.

And, finally, a clip from May 6, 2015, as Cher appears for the final time on Dave's Late Show, here in the same jacket worn 28 years earlier.

With Jeff Martin as Flunky and Gerard Mulligan getting fired again.

All Comments (21)

@PFCD 2 years ago

Who else is still coming back to watch this clip all these years later? Chemistry is chemistry and they had it!!
@mariachica9852 10 months ago

September 2023 and still enjoying Sonny and Cher. Brought back such memories as a little girl. May Sonny rest in peace!
@bobf.5538 1 year ago

You could see tears in Sonny's eyes after their performance..it really meant alot to sing with Cher again
@christineh4782 3 years ago

He was a good mayor. He would visit each business just to see how thing were going and what he could do for the businesses as major. Very down to earth. His loss was a tragedy.
@sixslinger9951 10 months ago

Cher's eulogy for Sonny at his funeral left no dry eyes for anyone that watched. They loved each other just couldn't live with each other. I loved Sonny and Cher when I was a kid in the 70s.
@fawnebrown4619 1 year ago

This really was one of Dave's best shows. It was sentimental and awkward and nostalgic and sweet. Sonny and Cher sounded great together. You could see they still had that magic. Glad they got to sing as Sonny and Cher one last time. Thanks Dave!
@PinkMartiniAZ 3 months ago

I remember watching this when it first aired. I was 18 years old and I couldn’t stop smiling and clapping. I watched their show when I was a kid. I’m still sad we lost Sonny too young.
@KimOpperman 1 year ago

That was a tear jerker. Sonny looked amazingly happy and so incredibly sad at the same time.
@gayle5967 1 year ago

Even after their divorce they remained very close. Cher gave the eulogy at his funeral. He really helped her become the Cher we have today. He saw SUPERSTAR in her from the start. RIP Sonny Bono. I'm so glad I saw this when it first aired. When performed together, on Late Night With David Letterman , I cried. It was so moving and sweet. You could feel their love for each other and the respect. Best Late Night episode ever! Also the way she honors him in her live concerts, by doing a duet of this song with him, using clips of him singing his part, and she faces him and it's crazy how you still feel their connection like he's on that stage with her. Best part of her live show.
@amiblueful 9 months ago

Sonny and Cher singing together after all those years was such a great moment of television.
@daveconleyportfolio5192 1 year ago

Sonny Bono was this little guy who no one took seriously in music, in business, in politics. But he just outworked and out-believed many more talented people. He endured and made the most of his life, which is really kind of inspiring.
@dearbelovedcheryl 1 year ago

This shows what maturity and respect can bring. I am sure Cher is glad she did this gig especially after Sonny passed away. Great memories of an iconic moment of an iconic couple.
@Kanamit. 4 years ago

I met Sonny just after he became mayor. It was in San Diego and it was a small meet, just four of us. I'll never forget how genuinely nice he was.
@Roadrunner0116 1 year ago

I watched this live back in 1987, I waited all day for it as I loved Cher’s remake of “I Found Someone” I had the VCR all cued up, blank tape ready to go. I was blown away with her performance and then watching her and Sonny reunite for “I Got You Babe” had me in tears. Now watching it again in 2023 takes me right back like I never missed a beat. Those were the best days for music and Late Night TV 📺 I wanna go back ❤
@thejjjs7786 2 years ago

I met Sonny a couple times, he was such a sweet man. I loved Cher’s eulogy at his funeral. They were very sweet. Love this.
@EBLLC 4 years ago

Wow! I bet I wasn’t the only one getting teary-eyed when I saw them sing this again. I’m so sorry Sonny is no longer with us! 😢 He was such a nice guy!
@kissmy_butt1302 3 years ago

This is something that is completely gone today. You can still see their chemistry and bond. The coolest thing is Cher misses her line and it becomes a great moment as they just pick it up and make it a unique moment. Hard to believe this is over 34 years ago.
@Dvp1169 4 years ago

Who is watching during quarantine😷 what a great performance RIP Sonny
@jjs490 2 years ago

Sonny was so underrated . He created Sonny and Cher and was the perfect straight man. They were so much magic there this is my favorite all-time moment in late night history . RIP Sonny you deserve it.
@davidcooper7463 3 years ago

One of the greatest Letterman episodes ever. Dave is giddy, and Paul seems to be reluctant about the whole chance of them singing together. And when Sonny says "I'll sing with Cher anytime" you knew the magic was about to happen.