Sonny Bono statue

Submitted by Cheetah Velour July 23rd, 2010
Certifikitsch Winner

I recently vacationed in Palm Springs and as soon as I hit town I said, “I’ll bet there’s a bronze statue of Sonny Bono around here somewhere.” And wouldn’t you know it, there it was just a couple of blocks from the hotel.

You probably all know that in addition to being an entertainer Sonny was once the mayor of Palm Springs before moving on to the U.S. House of Representatives. I love this statue because it has such a casual, informal feel to it. It reminds me of the Sonny and Cher era Sonny, as opposed to a formal statue of a politician. And it’s life size!

The real kitsch find was just down the street in a shop window-

Sonny, right up there with Kewpie and a Campbell’s kid. Sonny, immortalized in doll form complete with tiny bell bottoms.

9 Responses to “Sonny Bono statue”

  1. Allee Willis

    I need to go have a few photos taken with that statue the next time I’m in palm springs!

    I met Sonny Bono when I addressed the US House of Representatives subcommittee on Copyright reform in 1997. (boring and lonnnggg transcript of speech at https://www.alleewillis.com/press/congress.htm). He was actually quite confrontational, which made for excellent CSPAN viewing.
    .
    My favorite thing about the sculpture is that it looks absolutely nothing like Sonny Bono. He didn’t dress like that, his head wasn’t shaped like that, that wasn’t his smile and the sculptor borrowed John Davidson’s hair. I also love how Sony’s hand is resting on a large pot. The only pot I know that was ever associated with him wasn’t in clay form.

    I love the clothes on the doll. So 70’s.

  2. Cheetah Velour

    I would like to see a statue of Sonny wearing his famous shaggy monkey fur vest!

    Just down the block there’s an I love Lucy statue that doesn’t look anything like Lucille Ball.

  3. Mark Blackwell

    we need to get a nice bronze sculpture going of YOU for willis wonderland, allee! i’ve even got the connection, as dean k’s brother brett works at this famous bronze foundry in kalamazoo – http://www.alchemistfoundry.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14&Itemid=32 – they’re responsible for many of the bronze statues you’ll see around the country…dean’s brother was recently out here to deliver their statue of broadcaster chick hearn to the staples center: http://www.staplescenter.com/doublecol.php?section=about&page=news_article&news_id=759

    better that you art direct it now rather than someone else many many many years from now who’ll surely put you in the wrong clothes and mess up your hairstyle!!!

  4. Allee Willis

    Yes but where would it stand? All I need is one more sculpture on my front lawn! Also, I hate bronze. I don’t like that burnished look. Maybe it could be made of solid gold. Or melted 33 1/3 vinyl.

  6. Lauren Duarte

    DEAR CHEETA- I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!! My kitsch submission is a book I wrote and illustrated (and am still trying to publish) called “Cher, A Pop-Culture Fairy Tale” based on the true story of Sonny & Cher, but for kids…of all ages.

    I haven’t been to Palm Springs in forever and my BFF just went but failed to take any pictures of any Sonny Bono awesomeness!

    THANK YOU for these awesome pics!!!!!
    xxoxoxo

    Here’s the link to my Cher book: https://www.alleewillis.com/awmok/kitschenette/2009/09/23/cher-a-pop-culture-fairy-tale-written-and-illustrated-by-lauren-duarte/