Today in Madonna History: January 23, 1990

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On January 23 1990, Madonna’s Like A Prayer album was certified triple platinum for sales of 3 million units in the USA.

Producer Patrick Leonard talked to Billboard magazine about working with Madonna on Like A Prayer:

“She’d start writing lyrics and oftentimes there was an implied melody. She would start with that and deviate from it. Or if there was nothing but a chord change, she’d make up a melody. But, a lot of the time in my writing there’s a melody implied or I even have something in mind. But she certainly doesn’t need that.  She would write the lyrics in an hour, the same amount of time it took me to write the music, and then she’d sing it. We’d do some harmonies, she’d sing some harmony parts, and usually by three or four in the afternoon, she was gone.”

Today in Madonna History: January 22, 2017

On January 22 2017, Madonna released this statement in response to her controversial statements made during her speech at the Women’s March on Washington:

“Yesterday’s Rally was an amazing and beautiful experience. I came and performed Express Yourself and thats exactly what i did.

However I want to clarify some very important things. I am not a violent person, I do not promote violence and it’s important people hear and understand my speech in it’s entirety rather than one phrase taken wildly out of context.

My speech began with ” I want to start a revolution of love.” ♥️  I then go on to take this opportunity to encourage women and all marginalized people to not fall into despair but rather to come together and use it as a starting point for unity and to create positive change in the world.

I spoke in metaphor and I shared two ways of looking at things — one was to be hopeful, and one was to feel anger and outrage, which I have personally felt. However, I know that acting out of anger doesn’t solve anything. And the only way to change things for the better is to do it with love.

It was truly an honor to be part of an audience chanting we choose love.”

Madonna

Today in Madonna History: January 21, 2015

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On January 21 2015, an undercover investigation by the Internet crime unit of Israel’s anti-fraud police resulted in the arrest of a Tel Aviv man suspected of hacking into Madonna’s home computer, stealing unreleased music and selling the tracks online.

The investigation began after a complaint by Madonna’s manager, Guy Oseary.  With the cooperation of the FBI, the hack was found to be larger in scale and involved more musicians than just Madonna.

An expert in Internet crime was sent to New York City to inspect Madonna’s computers, where he confirmed a hack originating in Israel. Police searched the suspect’s home, seizing computers and media storage devices.

Madonna had this to say about the Rebel Heart album leaks incident:

“I am profoundly grateful to the FBI, the Israeli Police investigators and anyone else who helped lead to the arrest of this hacker. I deeply appreciate my fans who have provided us with pertinent information and continue to do so regarding leaks of my music. Like any citizen, I have the right to privacy. This invasion into my life – creatively, professionally, and personally remains a deeply devastating and hurtful experience, as it must be for all artists who are victims of this type of crime.”

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Today in Madonna History: January 20, 2001

On January 20 2001, Madonna’s Don’t Tell Me hit #1 on Billboard’s Hot Dance/Club Play chart in the U.S.

The following week the song would slide to #2 in Club Play while the maxi-single would debut at #20 on the Maxi-Single Sales chart.

Today in Madonna History: January 19, 1997

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On January 19 1997, Madonna attended the Golden Globes ceremony and won the Best Actress award for her role in Evita.

Evita also won the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical.

You Must Love Me won the Golden Globe for Best Original Song – Motion Picture.

Alan Parker was nominated for Best Director – Motion Picture.

Antonio Banderas was nominated for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical.

Today in Madonna History: January 18, 1991

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On January 18 1991, Madonna’s The Immaculate Collection was certified double platinum for sales of 2 million units in the USA.

Today in Madonna History: January 17, 2006

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On January 17 2006, Madonna began filming the video for Sorry in London.  The music video was directed by Jamie King.

Sorry was promoted as the second single from Confessions On A Dance Floor. The #1 dance/club hit was written and produced by Madonna and Stuart Price.

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