Fifty years ago Cher was riding high. Her and Sony had the hit TV show, Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour. She had a hit single in 1971 with “Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves.” Then in 1973 she released “Half Breed.” Cher claims she has some Cherokee ancestors.

The song climbed the Cash Box Top 100 chart to be at #1 for the week of Sept. 30 – Oct. 6. It was on the top spot of the Billboard Hot 100 chart for tow weeks, Sept. 30  – Oct. 13.

The video, below, is from the Sony & Cher Comedy Hour. None of her costume or the set is indicative of Cherokee culture. The totem pole is in the style the natives cultures from the northwestern US. Her headdress would have been worn only by native men of the US plains. Her bikini outfit, designed by Bob Mackie, has nothing to do with any native culture. In later years, Native Americans groups would convince Cher to not wear similar costumes in her stage act.