Today in Madonna History: February 1, 1986

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On February 1 1986, John “Jellybean” Benitez’ Sidewalk Talk peaked at #18 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the USA.

The song was written by Madonna, arranged by Jellybean and Stephen Bray, produced by Jellybean and included the uncredited backing vocals of Catharine Buchanan and Madonna.

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Today in Madonna History: January 31, 2001

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On January 31 2001, Madonna’s Manager (at the time) Caresse Henry shut down the rumours that Madonna and Britney Spears would be collaborating (due to scheduling conflicts).

The two later worked together on Me Against the Music, the lead single from Britney’s In The Zone album, released November 12 2003.

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Today in Madonna History: January 30, 2004

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On January 30 2004, Madonna’s Official Fan Club (ICON) and Madonna.com published a fan club exclusive photo book titled, Nobody Knows Me. The 52-page soft cover photo book featured previously unreleased photos (spanning her career).

Here’s what Liz Rosenberg had to say when asked to comment on a highlight she witnessed in Madonna’s career:

“Highlights? There’s just too many.

It’s a highlight for me just to dance around the living room to Deeper and Deeper. And also when we played Vogue at a club for the first time.

The list goes on and on and I’m thrilled to have had a front row seat to most of it.”

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Today in Madonna History: January 29, 2015

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On January 29 2015, Rob Sheffield reviewed Madonna’s Unapologetic Bitch for Rolling Stone magazine’s singles review section (even though it was never released as a single):

Bitch, she’s Madonna. The queen of queens has given a taste of her upcoming album, Rebel Heart, with a few songs dropped in advance after an early leak of unfinished versions. And the girl’s in a feisty mood these days – Madonna writing herself a theme song called “Unapologetic Bitch” is like Springsteen doing one called “Jersey Guy Who Sweats a Lot.” These new songs range from the Nicki Minaj collabo “Bitch I’m Madonna” to the gospel-house pieties of “Living for Love” to the Yeezus-style industrial Kanye grind “Illuminati.” But “Unapologetic Bitch” is the standout: a breakup rant over a Diplo-produced dancehall groove, with Madonna shooting a few poison arrows into the heart of some dude who’s done her wrong.

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Today in Madonna History: January 28, 2014

On January 28 2014, Madonna joined Miley Cyrus for her MTV Unplugged concert, which was recorded at Sunset Gower Studios in Los Angeles.  For the country-western section of Miley’s show, Madonna and Miley wore bejewelled cowgirl outfits to perform a mash-up of Don’t Tell Me (one of Miley’s favourite Madonna songs) and her own hit, We Can’t Stop.

Miley’s Unplugged concert aired on MTV the next day (January 29 2014).

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Today in Madonna History: January 27, 2005

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On January 27 2005, Hairdresser Julien D’Ys released a limited edition 46-page scrapbook documenting the creation of the hairstyles for Madonna’s Re-Invention Tour and the Steven Klein tour book photoshoot.

The scrapbook is available for sale through D’Ys website.

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Today in Madonna History: January 24, 2017

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On January 24 2017, Rhino re-released Madonna’s The Immaculate Collection (her first greatest hits collection) on double vinyl in the USA and Canada as part of their Start Your Ear Off Right campaign. The collection was released on blue/white and gold vinyl and limited to 6,500 copies.

The re-release included the following (same track listing as the original release):

Side A:

  • Holiday
  • Lucky Star
  • Borderline
  • Like A Virgin

Side B:

  • Material Girl
  • Crazy For You
  • Into The Groove
  • Live To Tell

Side C:

  • Papa Don’t Preach
  • Open Your Heart
  • La Isla Bonita
  • Like A Prayer

Side D:

  • Express Yourself
  • Cherish
  • Vogue
  • Justify My Love
  • Rescue Me

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