Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008

Sonny Bono

The "I Got You Babe" singer, better known as Cher's bell-bottom-wearing other (not, necessarily, "better") half, got into politics after encountering local government red tape over his home and an Italian restaurant he owned. A year before his election as mayor of Palm Springs, Califronia in 1988, the singer registered to vote for the first time in his life. He went on to serve as a U.S. Congressman, first taking office in 1994 when Republicans gained control of Congress. He served two terms in the House, where he was well-liked and known for his blunt and self-deprecating humor. Bono was killed in 1998 after he ran head first into a tree while skiing.