Today in Madonna History: July 9, 2026

On July 9, 2026, Madonna was announced as the cover star of upcoming issues of Japan’s INROCK and the UK’s Classic Pop.

The August 2026 issue of INROCK, Volume 512, was set to include a 16-page Madonna special, a centre-bound photo feature and a collectible pin-up. The feature examined Madonna’s feminist influence and the way it continued to shape a younger generation of artists.

For the cover, Madonna appeared with Sabrina Carpenter in a black-and-white image connected to the “Bring Your Love” visual campaign. It marked Madonna’s first INROCK cover in 18 years.

The double-cover issue, with Ariana Grande appearing on the reverse, was scheduled to reach Japanese newsstands on July 15, 2026. The announcement also arrived ahead of the Japanese domestic release of Confessions II on July 29, 2026 through Warner Music Japan.

Madonna also led Classic Pop Issue 107, dated August 2026. The issue featured a world-exclusive interview exploring her relationship with music, creativity and live performance.

Stuart Price also appeared in the issue, looking back on writing and producing Confessions on a Dance Floor with Madonna and sharing behind-the-scenes memories from the album’s creation.

The issue also included features on Dionne Warwick, Natalie Imbruglia, A Flock of Seagulls, The Specials, Laura Nyro, Kim Wilde, T’Pau and Marc Almond.

Today in Madonna History: July 8, 1991

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On July 8, 1991, Madonna began filming A League Of Their Own, starring Tom Hanks and Geena Davis, directed by Penny Marshall.

Today in Madonna History: July 7, 2026

On July 7, 2026, Madonna released Confessions II: Grindr Edition, a new digital version of the album featuring audio from her June 4 surprise performance in Times Square, presented in partnership with Grindr.

The free pop-up concert was streamed live from Times Square through Grindr and featured new material alongside Confessions on a Dance Floor favourites. The partnership also included merchandise and a Grindr-exclusive picture disc.

The alternate editions were released digitally, with several appearing through the iTunes Store:

  • Confessions II — 16-track Deluxe Album
    The complete main album, featuring 16 continuously mixed tracks.
  • Confessions II: Icon Edition
    An expanded digital edition featuring the bonus song “Hot Sauce,” named after the Absolut Hot Sauce cocktail created for Madonna and Absolut’s Confessions II campaign. The cocktail was part of the Absolut Icon promotion, which featured Absolut and Tabasco drinks inspired by the album.
  • Confessions II: Film Edition
    A digital presentation built around the music and sequencing featured in Confessions II – The Film, the short visual project directed by TORSO.
  • Confessions II: Instrumentals
    Instrumental versions of the album tracks, placing the focus on the production, arrangements and continuous dance-floor mix.
  • Confessions II: Grindr Edition
    The newly released digital edition featuring six bonus live songs from Madonna’s Times Square performance: “I Feel So Free,” “Bring Your Love,” “Love Sensation,” “Get Together,” “I Love New York,” “Hung Up.”

The release brought one of the most visible moments of the Confessions II campaign into the album’s official digital catalogue.

Today in Madonna History: July 6, 1987

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On July 6 1987, Madonna performed the first of two sold-out Who’s That Girl concerts at the Montreal Forum.  Madonna performed in front of 32,985 fans during the two dates (July 6 and 7).

Today in Madonna History: July 5, 1987

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On July 5 1987,  Madonna was interviewed by Jane Pauley on NBC-TV’s Today and caused a controversy when she referred to her hometown of Bay City, Michigan as “a smelly little town” – a comment that enraged the citizens of Bay City.

Today in Madonna History: July 4, 2015

On July 4 2015, Madonna’s third single off of Rebel Heart, Bitch I’m Madonna, was the Hot Shot Debut at #26 on Billboard’s Dance Club Songs Chart in the USA.

Bitch was Madonna’s 4th highest debut after Secret debuted at #18, Give Me All Your Luvin’ at #24 and Hung Up at #25.

Not bad for an irrelevant aging has-been! 

Today in Madonna History: July 3, 1987


On July 3, 1987, Madonna accepted a rare Canadian Diamond Album certification award at a press conference at Toronto’s Four Seasons Hotel on the eve of her sold-out concert at CNE Stadium. The certification award was presented by WEA Music Canada president Stan Kulin to commemorate over one million units sold of the True Blue album in Canada.

Madonna would receive a second Canadian Diamond Album certification for Like A Virgin in 1992.