Today in Madonna History: February 14, 2013

February 14, 2015 By Jay in 2013, February Tags: Danceteria, Everybody, Mark Kamins 1 Comment

On February 14 2013, Mark Kamins, Madonna’s ex-boyfriend, and pioneering DJ-producer who helped launch her career, died.

A fixture in the downtown New York City scene of the early 1980s, he held court at Danceteria and produced Madonna’s debut single, Everybody.

In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, Madonna wrote:

“I’m very sorry to hear about Mark’s death. I haven’t seen him for years but if it weren’t for him, I might not have had a singing career. He was the first DJ to play my demos before I had a record deal. He believed in me before anyone else did. I owe him a lot. May he Rest in Peace.”

Today in Madonna History: February 12, 2014

February 12, 2015 By Jay in 2014, February Tags: MDNA Skin 1 Comment

On February 12 2014, Madonna’s range of skin care products, MDNA Skin, was released in Japan. The premiere took place in Tokyo, and the product was developed in collaboration with MTG Co. Ltd, one of the foremost beauty care product developers in Japan.

Today in Madonna History: February 10, 2012

February 10, 2015 By Jay in 2012, February Tags: MDNA (Album), MDNA World Tour 1 Comment

On February 10 2012, tickets for Madonna’s 2012 MDNA World Tour, went on sale in select cities around the world.

Today in Madonna History: February 9, 1985

February 9, 2015 By Jay in 1985, February Tags: Like A Virgin (Album), Number One 1 Comment

On February 9 1985, Madonna’s Like A Virgin album hit #1 in the USA for 3 weeks.

Today in Madonna History: February 8, 2006

February 8, 2015 By Jay in 2006, February Tags: Confessions on a Dance Floor, De La Soul, Gorillaz, Grammy, Grammy Awards, Hung Up 1 Comment

On February 8 2006, Madonna with Gorillaz and De La Soul performed Feel Good Inc. and Hung Up at the 48th Annual Grammy Awards, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

The beginning of the performance was a hologram installation.

Today in Madonna History: February 5, 2014

February 5, 2015 By Jay in 2014, February Tags: Amnesty International, Maria Alyokhina, MDNA World Tour, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Pussy Riot, Russia 1 Comment

On February 5 2014, Madonna introduced Pussy Riot at the Amnesty International’s human rights concert.

It was the first Amnesty International concert for the cause in 16 years, and took place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

During her introduction, Madonna thanked Pussy Riot “for making pussy a ‘sayable’ word in my household. Now, my 8-year-olds say it all the time.”

More seriously, Madonna spoke of the death threats she received during the Russian portion of her MDNA World Tour, which took place at the same time as Pussy Riot’s trial.

“Eighty-seven of my fans were arrested for gay behavior — whatever that is,” she said.

The Pussy Riot members, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alyokhina, spoke in Russian with aggression and passion. A translator related the women’s speech.

“Freedom is not a given,” she translated. “It is something we have to fight for every day. It is our duty to speak for those who are still behind bars.”