Sonny Bono entered politics after growing frustration with local government 
bureaucracy in trying to open a restaurant in Palm Springs, Cal. Bono placed
a successful bid and become the new mayor of Palm Springs. He served four
years (1988 to 1992). He was instrumental in making the city more business-
friendly and in spearheading the creation of the Palm Springs International
Film Festival, which is now held each year in Bono’s memory.Bono died on
January 5, 1998, at the age of 62. The official statement reported that he
sustained injuries when he struck a tree while skiing.

Congressman Sonny Bono in 1994. Bono remains the only member of
Congress to have scored a #1 pop single on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.