Today in Madonna History: March 6, 1998

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On March 6 1998, Madonna spent the day in Toronto, Canada conducting a press conference and various print interviews to promote her new album, Ray Of Light, released earlier that week. She ended the day with a live, hour-long interview on Much Music hosted by VJ’s Master T (personally selected by Madonna herself after viewing reels of the station’s on-air personalities) and Geneviève Borne (a self-proclaimed Madonna fan and VJ from Much Music’s French-language sister station, Musique Plus).

The much-hyped event, which marked Madonna’s first and only visit to the Much Music studios, was prefaced by the Canadian music video channel’s second Madonnathon – a day of all-Madonna programming. The first, which featured her 1992 interview with Jonathan Ross and a then-recent press junket interview with The New Music’s Jana Lynne White (and all of her music videos), aired in January of 1993 at the height of the Sex/Erotica/Body Of Evidence backlash.

After the appearance was announced, fans seeking a limited hot spot inside the studio for the interview were asked to call in and were queried a series of Madonna-related trivia questions to prove their worthiness, while others who didn’t make it inside lined the streets of the Queen St W studios on the day of the event to welcome the Queen of Pop to Toronto.

Today in Madonna History: March 5, 1992

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On March 5 1992, Madonna won the title of Best-Dressed Female Artist in Rolling Stone magazine’s 16th annual Readers Poll.

Today In Madonna History: March 4, 1987

 

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On March 4 1987, Shanghai Surprise was released on home video.

The Philadelphia Inquirer gave the film a 1 star rating:

“Shanghai Surprise is so dismally scripted and directed that no one could redeem it… an atmospheric, handsomely shot and, sadly, utterly empty piece of work.”

Today in Madonna History: March 1, 1998

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On March 1 1998, Madonna’s Ray Of Light album was featured in an episode MTV’s Ultrasound.

Kurt Loder visited Madonna in the studio during the recording of the Ray Of Light album in late 1997 for an exclusive chat and behind-the-scenes look into her recording process. He later joined her on the set of the Frozen video to conduct an additional interview for the episode. Madonna chatted about motherhood, her recent spiritual awakening, and the inspiration behind the album. Kurt also conducted interviews with collaborator William Ørbit, Guy Oseary and the director of the Frozen video, Chris Cunningham.

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 26, 1991

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On February 26 1991, Madonna’s Rescue Me was released as the second single (in North America) from her 1990 greatest hits set, The Immaculate Collection.

Rescue Me was written by Madonna, Shep Pettibone and Anthony Shimkin.

With you I’m not a little girl, with you I’m not a man
When all the hurt inside of me comes out, you understand
You see that I’m ferocious, you see that I am weak
You see that I am silly, and pretentious and a freak

But I don’t feel too strange for you, don’t know exactly what you do
I think when love is pure, you try to understand the reasons why
And I prefer this mystery, it cancels out my misery
And gives me hope that there could be a person that loves me

Rescue me, it’s hard to believe
Your love has given me hope
Rescue me, it’s hard to believe
I’m drowning, baby, throw out your rope

The CD maxi-single included:

Rescue Me – (Single Mix) – (4:53)
Rescue Me – (Titanic Vocal) – (8:15)
Rescue Me – (Houseboat Vocal) – (6:56)
Rescue Me – (Lifeboat Vocal) – (5:20)
Rescue Me – (S.O.S. Mix) – (6:23)

Today in Madonna History: February 25, 2015

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On February 25 2015, Madonna was accidentally pulled down a flight of stairs on stage because her cape was tied too tight, during a performance of Living For Love at the Brits, but then gracefully recovered and carried on with the show.

She tweeted this shortly after the performance ended:

Armani hooked me up! My beautiful cape was tied too tight! But nothing can stop me and love really lifted me up! Thanks for your good wishes! I’m fine! ‪#‎livingforlove‬” -Madonna

Bravo to Madonna for being such a relentless professional and giving her all!