Cher and The Osmonds Honor Stevie Wonder in a Rare Television Moment from 1975
Few television performances from the mid nineteen seventies capture the spirit of popular music quite like Cher’s Stevie Wonder medley on The Cher Show, broadcast on February twenty third nineteen seventy five. More than a variety show segment, this performance stands today as a rare cultural snapshot where soul, pop, and television spectacle met at their highest level.
At the center is Cher, already a commanding presence on American television, choosing to spotlight the work of Stevie Wonder at a time when his creative peak was reshaping popular music. Rather than a single song, she presents a flowing medley that moves through You Are The Sunshine Of My Life, Higher Ground, Signed Sealed Delivered Im Yours, Superstition, and For Once In My Life. Each transition feels purposeful, reflecting both respect for the original material and confidence in delivering it through her own voice and stage authority.
What makes this performance especially distinctive is the collaboration with The Osmonds. Known primarily for their clean cut pop image, they rise to the challenge of Stevie Wonder’s rhythmic and harmonic complexity with surprising conviction. Their harmonies and rhythmic drive give the medley a live energy that elevates it beyond novelty. The chemistry between Cher and The Osmonds feels natural rather than manufactured, a reminder of a time when television variety shows allowed genuine musical interaction rather than tightly controlled appearances.
The arrangement balances polish with spontaneity. There is no sense of overproduction. Instead, the performance leans on tight musicianship, confident vocals, and an unspoken understanding of how monumental Stevie Wonder’s catalog already was by nineteen seventy five. This was not nostalgia. It was recognition of a contemporary giant whose songs had already become modern standards.
Visually, the segment reflects the era’s bold television aesthetic while keeping the focus firmly on the music. Cher’s presence anchors the performance, her phrasing and control revealing a deep understanding of soul music without imitation. She does not attempt to sing like Stevie Wonder. She interprets him, which is precisely why the tribute resonates.
The rarity of this clip adds to its significance. Much of The Cher Show exists now only in fragments, making moments like this invaluable to music historians and longtime fans alike. It documents a time when network television served as a shared cultural space where major artists could honor one another in front of millions.
Today, this medley stands as more than entertainment. It is a testament to artistic respect, cross genre collaboration, and the power of live television to create moments that outlast their original broadcast. In just a few minutes, Cher and The Osmonds captured the enduring brilliance of Stevie Wonder and preserved a piece of musical history that still feels vibrant decades later.