This Day in History: 1998-01-05

Sonny Bono (d January 5th, 1998) Salvatore Phillip “Sonny” Bono was half of the duet Sonny and Cher and enjoyed success as a recording artist (I got you Babe) and television star (The Sonny & Cher Show) in the 60’s and 70’s. In the 80’s Sonny turned to politics by becoming Mayor of Palm Springs and then a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. On January 5th 1998, Sonny and family were enjoying a ski holiday at Heavenly Ski Resort in South Lake Tahoe, California.  Sonny decided to have one last run on the slopes while his wife waited for him at the lodge. Sonny’s body was found on the “Orion” run of the ski hill apparently the victim of a collision with a tree. Recently it has been suggested that he was murdered by assassins hired by drug lords and the death was setup to look like an accident. Sonny Bono is the only member of congress to have a #1 pop single.