In her memoir, "Cher: The Memoir, Part One," the iconic singer opens up about her impulsive second marriage to rocker Gregg Allman, revealing the complexities and challenges that ultimately led to its demise. Just days after finalizing her divorce from Sonny Bono in 1975, Cher found herself in a whirlwind romance with the Allman Brothers Band frontman. Despite harboring uncertainties about the relationship's longevity, the unexpected news of her pregnancy prompted a swift decision to marry.
Cher's decision to marry Allman so quickly surprised her sister and friends, who questioned the impulsive move. However, Cher, determined to provide a traditional family structure for her child, pressed forward with the wedding, which took place mere days after her divorce from Bono was finalized. The ceremony itself lacked romance, and the union proved to be short-lived, with Cher filing for divorce just nine days later. Despite the initial separation, the couple reconciled and welcomed their son, Elijah Blue Allman, in 1976.
However, the underlying issues that plagued their relationship, including Allman's struggles with addiction, ultimately proved insurmountable. Cher's memoir recounts her exhaustion from supporting Allman through rehab and her eventual breaking point after an incident where he experienced a paranoid breakdown. Concerned for the safety of her children, Cher made the difficult decision to end the marriage for good in 1979.
Author Alan Paul, who penned a biography of the Allman Brothers Band, suggests that Allman always held a deep affection for Cher, despite their turbulent relationship. Paul highlights the challenges the couple faced, with Allman battling addiction and Cher's relative naiveté about the severity of his struggles. Despite their initial optimism about overcoming these obstacles, Allman's addiction ultimately cast a long shadow over their relationship, leading to its final dissolution.
