Cher in Concert, also known as the Take Me Home Tour, was the first solo concert tour by American singer-actress Cher. The tour's debut was at Sahara Reno in Reno, Nevada with a huge production and cast put together by Joe Layton, who did the same for Bette Midler's "Clams on a Half Shell" and Diana Ross previously. Cher premiered her one-woman show at the Opera House Theatre June 3 through 19. This is the first time Cher has appeared solo on the nightclub circuit.
The show then became Cher's first world tour as a solo artist. The tour reached North America, Europe, South Africa and Australia. The concert was filmed in Monte Carlo on May 10, 1980 and broadcast on HBO the following February and later taped in Las Vegas in 1981 at Caesars Palace for a broadcast on Showtime on April 21, 1983.
Background
The show featured three backing singers, six dancers, three drag queens as Bette Midler, Cher, and Diana Ross, a mechanical bull and twelve costume changes.
Cher described the show as "a bit Sonny & Cher-ish" a mixture of cabaret, disco and rock'n'roll. With twelve changes of clothes, Cher wore no costume for more than eight minutes.
The concerts were based in part on her solo television shows The Cher Show, Cher... Special and Cher... and others Fantasies. During Cher's costume changes, drag performers Kenny Sacha, as Bette Midler and J.C. Gaynor as Diana Ross performed "In the Mood" and "I'm Coming Out" respectively. Cher joined them to end the show with a performance of "Friends". Russell Elliott opened the show as Cher.
Set list
"Ain't Nobody's Business" "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours" "Fire" "Easy To Be Hard" "The Way of Love" "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" (performed by J.C. Gaynor and Cher) "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" (performed by Kenny Sacha) "Friends" (performed by Sacha, Gaynor, and Cher) "Jailhouse Rock" / "Dream Lover" / "Great Balls Of Fire" "Rockin' Robin" "Johnny B. Goode" "Dedicated to the One I Love" "Hand Jive" / "Honky Tonk Women" / "Old Time Rock and Roll" "Take It to the Limit" "Take Me Home" "Takin' It to the Streets" "Ain't Got No Money"
Tour dates
Cancellations and rescheduled shows
A Celebration at Caesars Palace
A Celebration at Caesars Palace was the first concert residency by Cher. Shows were performed at the Circus Maximus Showroom at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas (show time were 9:00 pm and 12:30 pm). Shows from September 25 to October 2, 1980 were performed at the Stateline Showroom at Caesars Tahoe in Stateline, Nevada. The premiere concert was on June 29, 1979.
Set list
"Could I Be Dreaming" "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours" "You Make My Dreams" "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?" "Those Shoes" "Out Here On My Own" "Take It to the Limit" "I'm Coming Out" (performed by J.C. Gaynor) "In the Mood" (performed by Kenny Sacha) "Friends" (performed by Sacha, Gaynor and Cher) "Lookin' for Love" (contains elements of "Devil Went Down to Georgia") "When Will I Be Loved" "More Than You Know" "Fame"
Residency dates
1979
1980
1981
1982
Broadcasts and recordings
The Monte Carlo Show (20th Century Fox Television; aired September 14, 1980) Standing Room Only: Cher in Concert (HBO; aired February 8, 1981) Cher... A Celebration at Caesars (Showtime; aired April 21, 1983)
Personnel
Lead vocals: Cher
Background vocals: Michelle Aller
Background vocals: Warren Ham
Background vocals: Petsye Powell
Produced and Staged: Joe Layton
Musical Director: Gary Scott
Dancer: Wayne Bascomb
Dancer: Damita Jo Freeman
Dancer: Warren Lucas
Dancer: Mykal Perea
Dancer: Randy Wander
Impersonators
Kenny Sacha as Bette Midler
Russel Elliot as Cher (in the interlude) J.C. Gaynor as Diana Ross Costumes Costumes Designed: Bob Mackie Wardrobe: Alan Trugman Wardrobe: Debbie Paull Wigs: Renata Band Saxophone: Warren Ham Drums: Gary Ferguson Guitarist: Ron "Rocket" Ritchotte Ken Rarick Bob Parr