Today in Madonna History: July 9, 2015

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On July 9 2015, Adi Lederman was sentenced to 14 months in prison for hacking Madonna’s song library and leaking early demos from her yet-to-be-released Rebel Heart album.

Under a plea bargain, Lederman confessed to computer trespassing and infringement of privacy and property rights.  Lederman was fined 15,000 shekels ($4,000 US dollars), in addition to his prison sentence.

The court released this statement:

“The ease with which crimes such as this can be committed by those who have skills in the field, such as the accused, require an appropriate punitive response that has a deterrent and uncompromising message.”

Madonna said the crime was an “invasion into my life – creatively, professionally and personally remains a deeply devastating and hurtful experience“.

Today in Madonna History: July 8, 1985

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On July 8 1985, Madonna was featured on the cover of People magazine with the caption: “Can Madonna get Sean to the alter?”

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, 2010

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On July 5 2010, principal photography on W.E., Madonna’s directorial feature debut began in the UK.

Madonna had this to say about her decision to direct W.E.:

“I directed Filth & Wisdom to teach myself about filmmaking… and now, with this self-punishing process of being a producer and a writer and a director, I’m taking the next step.”

Today in Madonna History: July 4, 1987

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On July 4 1987, Madonna performed her Who’s That Girl show to a sold out crowd of 50,000 fans at the CNE Stadium in Toronto, Ontario.

Peter Goddard from the Toronto Star reviewed the concert and said:

“Madonna proved that she may be a lost girl in the roads of life, like her film, but she ain’t lost when she is singing. Especially during songs like ‘Papa Don’t Preach‘, her vocal prowess was substantially notable.”

Today in Madonna History: July 3, 2015

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On July 3 2015, the third single off Madonna’s Rebel Heart album, Bitch I’m Madonna, climbed eight spots on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart to #7 in the USA.  The hit dance song remained the Greatest Gainer for the second week in a row.

Thank you Justin for the great artwork above! – Jay

Today in Madonna History: July 1, 1989

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On July 1 1989, Madonna’s Express Yourself enjoyed its second week at #1 on the United World Chart (Tracks).

Like A Prayer spent its sixteenth and final week in the Top 10 on the United World Chart at #10.