Today in Madonna History: April 16, 2016

April 16, 2023 By Jay in 2016, April Tags: Borderline, Holiday, Like A Virgin & Other Big Hits, Lucky Star, Record Store Day, Vinyl 1 Comment

On April 16 2016, Madonna’s 1985 Japanese mini-album, Like A Virgin & Other Big Hits, was re-issued on pink vinyl for Record Store Day.

The four track collection included the following:

Like A Virgin (Extended Dance Remix)
Holiday (Original Version)
Lucky Star (Extended Dance Remix)
Borderline (Extended Dance Remix)

Were you in the line-ups like I was? How festive was it to see so many vinyl fans? Did you score a copy of Like A Virgin & Other Big Hits on Record Store Day, or did you have to order through eBay? – Jay

Today in Madonna History: April 15, 1992

April 15, 2023 By Jay in 1992, April Tags: On the Cover of a Magazine, Smash Hits 1 Comment

On April 15 1992, Madonna appeared on the cover of Smash Hits magazine.

Here’s a snippet of the featured interview:

Smash Hits: So what have you been up to lately?

Madonna: I’ve just finished working on the movie A League Of Their Own, which I’m very excited about. I’ve also been working on material for my next record but that probably won’t be released for a couple of months.

Smash Hits: Are you planning any amazing tours and perhaps finally popping down to Australia along the way?

Madonna: Yes, absolutely. But right now I want to concentrate more on film. I’ve always wanted to become an actress – so I want to concentrate on film, the theatre and also dance.

Sorry for the crappy scan — if you have a better scan of this magazine cover, please let us know, thanks! – Jay

Today in Madonna History: April 14, 2015

April 14, 2023 By Jay in 2015, April Tags: Ageism, Cosmopolitan, Ellen von Unwerth, Haters, Longevity, On the Cover of a Magazine, Sexuality 1 Comment

On April 14 2015, Madonna appeared on the cover of Cosmopolitan magazine’s 50th anniversary cover, to celebrate 50 years of power, provocation and living the Comso-girl life. The May issue featured four different covers of Madonna, with photos by Ellen von Unwerth.

Here’s a snippet of the interview between Cosmopolitan and Madonna:

On longevity in her career: “Popularity comes and goes. You need to know who you are, what you stand for, and why you’re here.”

On sexuality and ageism: “Don’t be fooled, not much has changed — certainly not for women. We still live in a very sexist society that wants to limit people. Since I started, I’ve had people giving me a hard time because they didn’t think you could be sexual or have sexuality or sensuality in your work and be intelligent at the same time. For me, the fight has never ended.”

On Internet haters: “You can hide behind your computer or your phone and say whatever you want — you’re not known. Could you say it to my face? Would you say it to my face? I doubt it.”

Today in Madonna History: April 13, 2019

April 13, 2023 By sonicboy19 in 2019, April Tags: Crazy For You, Everybody, Gambler, La Isla Bonita, La Isla Bonita (Super Mix), Live To Tell, Open Your Heart, Papa Don't Preach, Record Store Day, RSD, True Blue (Single), True Blue (Super Club Mix) 2 Comments

On April 13 2019, two of Madonna’s classic Japanese-exclusive vinyl EPs were re-released on coloured vinyl for Record Store Day 2019: True Blue (Super Club Mix) and La Isla Bonita (Super Mix).

True Blue (Super Club Mix) was pressed on blue vinyl (limited to 13,000 copies) and included the following tracks:

- True Blue (The Color Mix)
- Everybody (Dub Version)
- Papa Don’t Preach (Extended Remix)
- Everybody (Extended Version)
- Live To Tell (Instrumental)

La Isla Bonita (Super Mix) was pressed on green vinyl (limited to 12,500 copies) and included the following tracks:

- La Isla Bonita (Extended Remix)
- Open Your Heart (Extended Version)
- Gambler
- Crazy For You
- La Isla Bonita (Instrumental)

Jay’s Note: I was in line at 5:35am. Did you participate in Record Store Day? Were you successful in your search?

Today in Madonna History: April 12, 1994

April 12, 2023 By sonicboy19 in 1994, April Tags: Controversy, David Letterman, Letter 1 Comment

On April 12 1994, Madonna sent a handwritten note to David Letterman wishing him a “Happy Fucking Birthday”.

Sent less than two weeks after her infamous profanity-laced appearance on the Late Show, the cheeky letter takes Letterman to task for having used the controversy to his advantage.

Today in Madonna History: April 11, 1990

April 11, 2023 By sonicboy19 in 1990, April Tags: Emmy, Get Over, Keep It Together, Like A Prayer (Album), Nick Scotti, Stephen Bray 1 Comment

On April 11 1990, the Keep It Together single was certified gold for sales of 500,000 units in the USA.

Written and produced by Madonna and Stephen Bray, the main inspiration behind Keep It Together was Madonna’s relationship with her family—whom she dearly missed after her divorce from actor Sean Penn.

Keep It Together became the last Madonna single release to feature a collaboration with Bray—a partnership that had begun romantically when Madonna & Stephen were college students at the University of Michigan. Madonna later persuaded Bray to join her in New York where he became the drummer for her band, Emmy. After briefly falling out over Madonna’s decision to work with more established producers after signing to Sire Records in 1982, the pair quickly made amends and went on to write and produce some of Madonna’s most memorable 80’s hits.

A final collaboration between Madonna & Bray, Get Over, was reworked by Madonna and Shep Pettibone for possible inclusion as one of the new tracks on The Immaculate Collection, but was instead given to Warner Bros artist Nick Scotti to record in 1991. Although Madonna’s background vocals are featured prominently in Scotti’s versions of the song, a full Madonna vocal version has yet to surface.