Pop diva CHER witnessed a career resurrection, one of many, during the eighties by pursuing a slick brand of melodic Rock and raunchy videos. Persuaded by then Geffen A&R supremo John Kalodner to combine her increasingly successful acting career with a return to chartdom, CHER signed to Geffen and set to work recording her comeback with the aid of a particularly strong selection of songs emanating from the unlikeliest of sources.

Whilst MICHAEL BOLTON and ex TOUCH keyboard player Mark Mangold supplied 'I Found Someone', the triumvirate of JON BON JOVI, RICHIE SAMBORA and DESMOND CHILD wrote 'We All Sleep Alone' and re-worked CHER's '60s hit 'Bang Bang'. Child collaborated with Diane Warren on 'Give Our Love A Fightin' Chance' and 'Perfection' whilst also managing a co-write with MICHAEL BOLTON on 'Working Girl'. Bolton steamed in with the album's closer 'Hard Enough Getting Over You'.

The singer had briefly made a recording comeback in 1982 with the AOR toned 'I Paralyse' album, having quickly given up on the heavier BLACK ROSE project following the termination of her tempestuous relationship with guitarist Les Dudek. 'I Paralyse' did contain two DESMOND CHILD songs; 'When The Love Is Gone' and 'The Book Of Love', but the quality of the musicians involved in the project was nothing compared to 'Cher'.

In what seemed like a no expense spared project, 'Cher' found contributions from the entire line-up of BON JOVI, TOTO's STEVE LUKATHER, DESMOND CHILD and two former members of ROUGE (Myriam Valle and Diana Grasselli, Michael Bolton, Y&T's Dave Meniketti, JOE LYNN TURNER, BONNIE TYLER, MICHAEL LANDAU, Waddy Wachtel. ROSEMARY BUTLER, ALICE COOPER drummer Craig Krampf and ex BLACKJACK bassist Jimmy Haslip. The single 'If I Could Turn Back Time', bolstered by the singer's most revealing video to date, proved a huge international hit.

Subsequent albums have in no way matched the sublime status of the eponymous affair of 1987 vintage, although 'Love Hurts' is almost a veritable Who's Who of AOR. Gunnar Nelson and NELSON bandmates Joey Cathcart and Paul Mirkovich appear in backing vocal capacity and various members of TOTO add musical muscle amongst others.

The title track is a cover of the number popularized by NAZARETH and there's a surprise for KISS fans too, with a tremendous rendition of the Gene Simmons penned 'World Without Heroes', originally to be found on KISS' '(Music From) The Elder' concept piece.

Contributors include LISA DALBELLO, BRYAN ADAMS drummer Mickey Curry, JOURNEY bassist Randy Jackson, backing vocalist Mark LaFrance, TOTO's STEVE LUKATHER, David Paich, Jeff Porcaro and Mike Porcaro, guitarist MICHAEL LANDAU, NELSON's Gunnar Nelson and guitarist & producer Richie Zito.

1989's 'Heart Of Stone' was notable for the inclusion of hit single 'If I Could Turn Back Time', the BON JOVI penned 'Does Anybody Really Fall In Love Anymore' and a version of the MICHAEL BOLTON and Diane Warren written 'You Wouldn't Know Love'. Bolton had recorded the latter for his 'Soul Provider' album released almost simultaneously with Cher's album.

In latter years the apparently ageless CHER has solidified her reputation and record breaking career in the Dance market. CHER guested on the 2000 album by MAJIC SHIP, a band assembled by various members of her roadcrew. The lady's gargantuan 2002 "farewell" tour grossed over 73 million dollars in North American ticket receipts.