Monthly Archives: May 2023

Today in Madonna History: May 24, 2001

May 24, 2023 By in 2001, May Tags: , , , , 1 Comment

On May 24 2001, U.S. cable network HBO confirmed that it would broadcast Madonna’s Drowned World Tour on August 26th:

Madonna is taking her Music to the masses — HBO masses, that is. The cable network will air a live concert from the pop icon’s latest tour, the first in eight years, called the Drowned World Tour. Airing Aug. 26, the concert will be broadcast from The Palace of Auburn Hills in Detroit, Madonna’s hometown. It’s a thrill for us to have Madonna back because we know it is going to be a spectacular show, with that combination of her amazing talent and extravagant style which only Madonna can bring, says Nancy Gellar, HBO’s senior vice president of original programming. HBO and Madonna last teamed for 1993’s Madonna — Live Down Under: The Girlie Show, which aired live from Sydney, Australia. The program was HBO’s most-watched original program of the year. Madonna’s first special on HBO, 1990’s Madonna — Live! Blond Ambition World Tour, premiered to record numbers and remains one of the highest-rated original programs in HBO history.

Unlike HBO’s previous Madonna tour broadcasts, however, the live airing of the Drowned World Tour was simulcast to Canadian viewers via premium channel, The Movie Network.

A re-edited version of the concert special was later released on VHS & DVD on November 13th, 2001.

Today in Madonna History: May 23, 1987

May 23, 2023 By in 1987, May Tags: , , , , 1 Comment

On May 23 1987, La Isla Bonita hit #1 on Billboard’s Hot Adult Contemporary chart where it ruled for a single week.

It was Madonna’s second Hot AC chart topper after Live To Tell‘s three-week stint at #1 the previous year.

Both releases achieved similar longevity on AC radio playlists, with La Isla‘s seventeen-week Hot AC chart run nearly living up to Tell‘s eighteen weeks.

Today in Madonna History: May 22, 2001

May 22, 2023 By in 2001, May Tags: , , , 1 Comment

On May 22 2001, VH1 published their list of 100 Most Shocking Moments in Rock ‘N Roll. Madonna appeared on the list twice:

#87 – Madonna scandalizes with her Like A Prayer video (1989)

  • #11 – Madonna bares all in her racy SEX book (1992)

Today in Madonna History: May 21, 2001

May 21, 2023 By in 2001, May Tags: , , , 1 Comment

On May 21 2001, the U.S. leg of Madonna’s Drowned World Tour continued to sell out performances in the final seven markets that went on sale the previous weekend. A press release stated that the tour, promoted by SFX, promised to be the most extravagant stage spectacle of Madonna’s career thus far. The last batch of cities announced for the tour included sold-out dates in New York, New Jersey, Washington, Miami, Atlanta, Las Vegas and Los Angeles. It was also announced that due to overwhelming demand, an additional three shows in New York and two in Los Angeles had been added to the itinerary, with tickets to go on sale May 30th.

Today in Madonna History: May 20, 2012

May 20, 2023 By in 2012, May Tags: , , , , 1 Comment

On May 20 2012, Madonna was asked what she would do if she were the President of the United States for one day, and she replied:

“You can’t really change much in one day. I think I would like to be president for a longer time. I wouldn’t spend as much money for weapons of mass destruction but instead for education and art.”

She was also asked if it is more difficult to become famous or maintain fame:

“It’s harder to stay famous than become famous. I don’t think there’s a rule for staying successful. You have to really love what you’re doing. You have to feed your soul with ideas and you’re not allowed to stop growing as a human. That’s what helps to create art. When it comes to my work I don’t take anything for granted.”

Today in Madonna History: May 19, 1990

May 19, 2023 By in 1990, May Tags: , 2 Comments

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On May 19 1990, Madonna’s single Vogue hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the USA.

Vogue reached number one in over 30 countries worldwide, becoming Madonna’s biggest hit at that time.  It was also the best-selling single of 1990 with sales of more than two million, and has sold more than six million copies worldwide to date.

Today in Madonna History: May 18, 1987

May 19, 2023 By in 1987, May Tags: , , , , 1 Comment

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On May 18 1987, Madonna was honored for Best Songwriting for Live To Tell at the 4th annual ASCAP Pop Music Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, Beverly Hills, CA; the award was accepted on her behalf by brother-in-law Christopher Penn.