On May 19 2013, Madonna received the Top Touring Artist Award at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards, held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Madonna told the audience:
“They say that it takes a village to raise a child, it took several international villages to put my show together.”
The 88-show MDNA World Tour grossed $305 million, according to Billboard Boxscore.
On May 18 1994, Madonna made a surprise appearance on NBC-TV’s The Tonight Show, hosted by Jay Leno.
Watch this classic Madonna interview here:
On May 17 2011, the final episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show was recorded at the United Center in Chicago in front of an audience of 13,000 people. The two-part episode included appearances by Madonna, Will Smith, Tom Hanks, Maria Shriver, Beyonce, Patti LaBelle, Stevie Wonder, Tom Cruise, Aretha Franklin and more.
Madonna had this to say about Oprah’s career and legacy:
“It’s no secret millions of people are inspired by Oprah. I am one of those people. She’s a self made woman who has been at the top of her game for 25 years and she is still kicking ass, encouraging people to dream big, work hard, to read a book, get an education, ask questions – no matter who you are or where you come from. She fights for things she believes in, even if it makes her unpopular. She has balls and a wealth of compassion. I’ve learned so much from her.”
Madonna told the audience that Oprah has inspired her to continue her work at her school in Malawi, despite the setbacks.
“I hope to have that same thrill in the years to come, to see that I, too, have made a difference. Oprah, may the next chapters be even better. I stand before you on behalf of the many you have helped and vow to be more courageous and never give up. Never…. Thank you for inspiring me.”
On May 16 1989, the Like A Prayer single was certified Platinum by the RIAA for shipment of one million units in the U.S.
On May 15 2015, Madonna’s Ghosttown (from the Rebel Heart album) hit the top spot on Billboard’s Dance Club Songs chart for the week ending May 30th.
Ghosttown became Madonna’s 45th #1 hit on the chart. She had this to say to her fans about the success of the song:
“Thanks to all my fans on & off the dance floor, I’ll always be your partner.”
On May 5, 2024, social media and news outlets buzzed with reports of Madonna’s historic concert the previous night. Madonna’s Celebration Tour culminated in a spectacular finale on Saturday night, electrifying Brazil’s Copacabana beach with an unprecedented show destined to carve its place in pop music history. As the sun dipped below Rio de Janeiro’s iconic skyline, an astonishing 1.6 million passionate fans gathered to experience the tour’s grand conclusion, turning the sandy beach into a vibrant wave of enthusiasm and adoration.
From die-hard enthusiasts who had staked their claim for prime viewing spots hours, even days in advance, to affluent aficionados who anchored their boats near the shore, every corner of Copacabana was abuzz with anticipation. Firefighters sprayed cooling mists to alleviate the sweltering heat, ensuring the comfort of the thronging masses as temperatures soared.
At precisely 10:40 p.m., the Queen of Pop herself, Madonna, took to the stage, casting her spell over the ecstatic multitude with an electrifying performance that spanned over two hours. Amidst a cacophony of cheers, she belted out timeless classics like “Like a Prayer,” “Vogue,” and “Express Yourself,” enrapturing the audience with her timeless charisma and boundless energy.
Madonna’s poignant words resonated deeply as she basked in the ethereal beauty of Rio, declaring, “Here we are, in the most beautiful place in the world, with the ocean, the mountains, Jesus. Magic.” Joined by Brazilian luminaries Anitta and Pabllo Vittar, as well as rising talents from local samba schools, Madonna orchestrated a mesmerizing symphony of music and spectacle, transcending boundaries of culture and geography.
As the final notes of “Live to Tell” reverberated into the night sky, accompanied by poignant imagery honoring those lost to AIDS, Madonna’s indelible legacy as the reigning Queen of Pop illuminated the hearts of her audience, serving as a beacon of inspiration for generations past, present, and future.
This historic event not only marked the culmination of Madonna’s monumental Celebration Tour but also etched a new pinnacle in her storied career. With an estimated 1.6 million attendees, surpassing all previous records, the magnitude of her influence and enduring appeal was unequivocally reaffirmed.
In terms of sales, the tour amassed an impressive $225,580,345 in revenue, with an average of $2,819,754 per show. A total of 1,127,658 tickets were sold, averaging 14,096 tickets per show. The average ticket price stood at $200.04, reflecting the demand and excitement surrounding Madonna’s performances. Additionally, all 80 shows reported sold-out crowds, further cementing Madonna’s status as a global icon.
Rio’s preparations for this monumental occasion underscored the economic and cultural significance of the event, with forecasts predicting a substantial boost to the local economy and a surge in tourism. Amidst the logistical challenges akin to New Year’s Eve festivities, stringent security measures ensured the safety of attendees, with a formidable contingent of military and police personnel deployed to maintain order.
Sponsored by Itaú Apresenta, Madonna’s free concert was a heartfelt gesture of gratitude to her legions of fans, a testament to her unwavering commitment to the artistry that has defined her illustrious career spanning four decades.
Full Set List:
Act I
Act II
Act III
Act IV
Act V
Act VI
Act VII
On April 30 2020, Madonna’s 1994 Bedtime Stories album topped the U.S. iTunes Albums Chart after her fans kicked of th #JusticeForBedtimeStories campaign.
This is how the Daily Mail reported it:
More than 25 years after its initial release, one of Madonna’s most under-appreciated albums is getting some love.
Bedtime Stories, the Material Girl’s sixth studio album released in 1994, shot to the top position of the U.S. iTunes chart on Thursday, thanks to a fan-led hashtag campaign ‘#JusticeForBedtimeStories’.
The campaign follows in the footsteps of #JusticeForEMC2, a similar move made by the Mariah Carey fandom in support of her 2008 album, as well as an effort on behalf of Janet Jackson’s 1986 record Control.
Madonna’s Bedtime Stories marked a transitional time in the career of the now 61-year-old performer, after she pushed the envelope with 1992’s salacious Erotica album and the publication of her Sex book, and before her Golden Globe-winning role as buttoned-up Evita Peron in 1996’s musical film Evita.
And while Bedtime Stories‘ final track, Take A Bow, spent seven weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 – to date her longest-running number-one single – only one of the album’s other singles, Secret, managed to break the top 10.
Still, Bedtime Stories remains to this day one of Madge’s most cohesive and melodic albums, containing one of her best songs of all time – the brazen and unapologetic anthem Human Nature.
Today In Madonna History 