Cher's Farewell Tour Ends at Hollywood Bowl

Market Wire, February, 2005

The one and the only Cher has decided to throw in the towel, the wigs, the sequins and the tour bus after one last and final appearance at The Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles scheduled for April 30th of this year, it was announced today.

After three million tickets sold, 324 shows and three years from the starting gate, the tour -- affectionately termed the "Never Can Say Goodbye" tour and "The Cher-ist Show on Earth" -- will at last come to a close. The phenomenally successful tour has grossed over $200 million and has visited stages in every state in the continental U.S. (with the exception of Vermont and Delaware, which didn't have large enough venues). The tour, promoted by Clear Channel Entertainment, will end with 4,731 pizzas consumed backstage, over 3,000 costume changes, 1,200 pairs of false eyelashes used, and over 300 birthday celebration cakes. The critically acclaimed extravaganza has logged millions of miles in the U.S. as well as Canada and Mexico, and a triumphant sold-out tour of Europe and stopovers in St. Petersburg and the Kremlin in Russia. Next month, the tour heads for Australia and New Zealand before returning home for the finale.

A portion of the money from each ticket sold throughout the tour was donated to the several children's charities, and all the proceeds from her recent Bakersfield, California, show were donated to UNICEF and World Vision for tsunami relief.

"I'm old," laughed the eternally ageless Cher, now in a staggering fifth decade of her extraordinary career. "I know April 30th will be an unbelievably emotional night for many reasons. I've had more fun and have had the best audiences these last three years than any shows I've ever done. That's why I kept asking my managers to add more and more shows. The people I've worked with are part of my family. I love all of them. I have so many happy memories from this tour. When I do my final show, I'll be thinking back to when I performed on the stage at the Bowl over 40 years ago with Sonny. That 325th show will complete the circle," added the star.

"The Farewell Tour" was televised on NBC and drew over 17 million viewers and won three Emmy Awards. The DVD release of the concert was a chart topper, and "The Very Best of Cher" CD, released in conjunction with the tour, has had sales of over two million units.

Cher, who is a Grammy Award-winning singer, an Academy Award-winning film actress, an Emmy Award-winning TV star, Broadway actress and film director, has no plans on disappearing or retiring. "Oh, I have lots more things I want to do in my career but I'm going to take a moment -- at least a week or two -- and maybe start a new album, do a movie musical, direct a small film, do something on TV... but as far as ever going on the road again -- this is it. My tour bus is retiring and going up on blocks. I'll hitch a ride home from the Hollywood Bowl. It'll be nice to sleep in my own bed for a change," laughed America's sweetheart.

For More Information: Liz Rosenberg 212-275-4616 liz.rosenberg@wbr.com