Today in Madonna History: February 29, 2012

On February 29 2012, Shirley Manson of the band Garbage talked to Bullet Media and defended Madonna against ageist, misogynistic critics:

“The tabloids complain about Madonna looking old, and people laugh at her for that. Then Madonna goes and fixes her face, and they laugh at her for that. Even though they begrudgingly say she looks amazing, they’ll still laugh at her for trying to look young. Then she steps out, looking amazing, and the tabloids go and blow up a picture of her aging hand. Nobody’s doing that to George Clooney, blowing up pictures of his hands! I look at these magazines, and I want to say to them, ‘What’s your point? That she’s aged? Does that surprise you? Or is your ‘point’ an attempt to undercut what she’s achieved?’ I think it is, even if it’s on a subconscious level. And you probably wouldn’t turn down those hands if they were grabbing you under the table, you fucking idiots!”

Today In Madonna History: February 28, 2002

On February 28 2002, Madonna announced that she would make her West End stage debut in David Williamson’s play Up For Grabs.  The production would open on May 23, 2002 at Wyndhams Theatre in London, and have a 10-week run.

Madonna’s previous stage role was in Speed-the-Plow in 1988.

Today In Madonna History: February 27, 1993

On February 27 1993, Madonna’s Bad Girl hit #60 (second week on the chart) in the USA, after a #75 debut the week before (February 20 1993).

Bad Girl is the only single release off of Madonna’s Erotica album that she did not perform on her Girlie Show World Tour of 1993.

Today in Madonna History: February 26, 1983

On February 26 1983, Madonna’s first single, Everybody, spent its 17th and final week on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart in the USA. Everybody reached #3 on the chart on November 6, 1982. In addition to spending 17 weeks on the Hot Dance/Club Play chart, the classic dance hit also spent 8 weeks on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart. Not bad for a first single!

Today in Madonna History: February 25, 1995

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On February 25 1995, Madonna’s Take A Bow hit #1 in the USA on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.  The hit single remained #1 for 7 weeks, and became Madonna’s 11th single to top the charts in the USA.

Billboard called the song a “plush pop ballad” that was “as close to perfect as top 40 fare gets.” Adding that the lead vocal was “both sweet and quietly soulful.”

Today In Madonna History: February 24, 1996

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On February 24 1996, Madonna was at the centre of a controversy when animal-rights group PETA placed a full-page ad in Billboard magazine as an attack on her for promoting bullfighting in the Take A Bow and You’ll See music videos.

Today in Madonna History: February 23, 1985

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On February 23 1985, Bruce Springsteen and Madonna joined Prince onstage to sing Baby I’m A Star at the Forum in Inglewood, California.

No photos or live concert footage has ever surfaced from this rarest of rare performances.