On January 3 2005, Madonna was ranked #5 on the list of 100 most successful recording artists of all time in the UK. The list, published by the Guinness British Hit Singles and Albums book, ranked artists according to how many weeks they spent in the UK singles and albums charts.
Madonna was the only female act to make it into the top ten (at the time) with a score of 1,653 weeks, right behind Elvis Presley, Cliff Richard, The Beatles and Queen.
On January 2 1999, Madonna’s The Power of Good-Bye peaked at #14 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart in the USA. The single remained #14 for 6 non-consecutive weeks.
On December 25 1982, Madonna’s Everybody debuted at #9 on Billboard’s Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart in the USA.
Madonna recalls the first time she heard Everybody on the radio:
On December 24 1987, Madonna began filming Bloodhounds Of Broadway, co-starring Matt Dillon, Jennifer Grey & Randy Quaid and directed by Howard Brookner.
On December 23 2001, a report by Amusement Business reported that Madonna’s Drowned World Tour generated $74 million worldwide from only 47 shows, landing her at #4 for top grossing tour in 2001. U2’s Elevation Tour took the top spot, selling $143 million in tickets from 113 arena shows worldwide.
On December 22 1986, an exclusive interview with Madonna conducted by Simon Bates was broadcast on BBC Radio 1 in the U.K.
Madonna discussed her upbringing, her formative years as an artist, her work ethic, her marriage with Sean Penn, the press, Shanghai Surprise and more.
Listen to the full broadcast interview here:
On December 21 1996, Madonna’s You Must Love Me (the lead single from EVITA) spent its final week on Billboard’s Hot 100 Airplay Chart in the USA. The hit single spent a total of 9 weeks on the chart.
Peter Keough of the Boston Phoenix had this to say about the song:
“You Must Love Me is an aching farewell that dispels the illusion of a romance-of-convenience to reveal the inescapable love and tragedy beneath”.
Today In Madonna History 