Cher Wins Royalties Lawsuit Against Sonny Bono’s Widow
Written by Rtradio on May 30, 2024
Cher won a lawsuit she filed against the widow of Sonny Bono over royalties for songs they made together such as “I Got You Babe.”
The GRAMMY-winning singer is owed more than $400,000 accrued since the lawsuit was filed in 2021. She sued Mary Bono accusing her of withholding royalties from songs within the Sonny & Cher catalog. The lawsuit said Cher was entitled to a 50-50 share of the royalties as stated in an agreement she and her former husband and musical partner made in their 1978 divorce settlement.
In 1998, Bono died in a skiing accident and passed his share to his heirs.
At a federal court in Los Angeles, U.S. District Judge John Kronstadt said the over 40-year-old agreement entitled Cher to receive 50 percent of royalties from Sonny & Cher songs like “The Beat Goes On” and “I Got You Babe,” according to court papers obtained by City News Service.
The former couple created and performed together as Sonny & Cher through the 1960s and 70s, going on to star in The Sonny & Cher Show from 1971 to 1974.
This story was originally published by KCAL News on May 30, 2024.
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