Cher Channels Elvis Presley at LOVE ROCKS NYC Benefit Concert
By Website Content Manager
The Grammy Award-winning artist delivered performances of “Walking in Memphis,” “(This Is) A Song for the Lonely,” and “Believe.”
Cher wowed the crowd at the LOVE ROCKS NYC Benefit with her Elvis Presley-inspired performance.
On Thursday, March 6, at the Beacon Theater, the 78-year-old singer, known for hits like “I Got You, Babe,” donned a styled wig, pinstripe jacket, and tucked-in bowler shirt as she performed Marc Cohn’s 1991 track “Walking in Memphis.” The song, written by Cohn after his visit to Elvis Presley’s iconic Graceland estate, paid tribute to the legendary musician.
Cher’s slicked-back hair and suit resembled the look she sported in her 1995 music video for the same song — which played in the background during her performance. Fans in the audience could be seen dancing along in footage shared from the event.
Before performing her second song, “(This Is) A Song for the Lonely,” Cher took a moment to honor New York City.
“The first time I moved to New York, I was 14,” the Oscar-winning star shared with the audience. “And I’ve lived here off and on my whole life. So I’m a New Yorker. When I heard this song, I immediately knew what kind of video I had to make — something that captured what I felt in my heart.”
“(This Is) A Song for the Lonely)” debuted in March 2002, just months after the events of 9/11. For the performance, Cher recreated her look from the song’s music video, wearing a striped winter hat and a puffer jacket.
For her final and perhaps most iconic performance, Cher took the stage in a cropped hot pink blazer and black pants to sing her hit song “Believe.”
The benefit concert also featured a special tribute by Alicia Keys, who honored the late Roberta Flack — who passed away on February 24 — with a heartfelt performance of “Killing Me Softly with His Song,” famously covered by Lauryn Hill and the Fugees in 1996.
The star-studded event included appearances from Kate Hudson, Beck, Peter Frampton, Bill Murray, Trey Anastasio, Luke Spiller, Michael McDonald, and Grace Bowers.
Comedians Alex Edelman, Tracy Morgan, Amy Schumer, and Susie Essman served as hosts for the memorable evening.
The LOVE ROCKS NYC concert benefits God’s Love We Deliver, a New York-based nonprofit organization that prepares, cooks, and delivers nutritious, medically tailored meals to individuals who are too ill to shop or cook for themselves.