Today in Madonna History: August 22, 1987

August 22, 2023 By Jay in 1987, August Tags: Patrick Leonard, Who's That Girl (Single), Who's That Girl (Soundtrack) 1 Comment

On August 22 1987, Madonna’s Who’s That Girl single (from the soundtrack album of the same name) went to number-one on the US Billboard Hot 100.

Regarding the development of the music for the film, Madonna explained:

“I had some very specific ideas in mind, music that would stand on its own as well as support and enhance what was happening on screen and the only way to make that a reality was to have a hand in writing the tunes myself. The songs aren’t necessarily about Nikki [her character name in the movie] or written to be sung by someone like her, but there’s a spirit to this music that captures both what the film and the characters are about, I think.”

Today in Madonna History: August 18, 1987

August 18, 2023 By sonicboy19 in 1987, August Tags: Holiday, La Isla Bonita, Live Videos, London, Wembley Stadium, Who's That Girl (Single), Who's That Girl World Tour 1 Comment

On August 18 1987, Madonna performed the first of three sold-out Who’s That Girl Tour concerts at Wembley Stadium in London.

In total, Madonna performed for 216,000 fans during the three nights at Wembley.

Today in Madonna History: August 15, 1987

August 15, 2023 By sonicboy19 in 1987, August Tags: Who's That Girl (Single), Who's That Girl (Soundtrack), Who's That Girl World Tour 1 Comment

On August 15 1987, Madonna opened the European leg of the Who’s That Girl World Tour 1987 at Roundhay Park in Leeds, England. Madonna performed for 73,000 fans during the show.

The title Who’s That Girl Tour came to Madonna during rehearsals when she looked at a gigantic image of herself, projected on a screen on the stage. She commented,

“Oh god, what have I done? What have I created? Is that me, or is this me, this small person standing down here on the stage? That’s why I call the tour ‘Who’s That Girl?’; because I play a lot of characters, and every time I do a video or a song, people go, ‘Oh, that’s what she’s like.’ And I’m not like any of them. I’m all of them. I’m none of them. You know what I mean.?”

Today in Madonna History: August 11, 1987

August 11, 2023 By Jay in 1987, August Tags: Certification, Stephen Thomas Erlewine, True Blue (Album) 1 Comment

On August 11 1987, Madonna’s True Blue album was certified 5x platinum (for shipment of 5 million units) in the USA.

Stephen Thomas Erlewine noted that “True Blue is the album where Madonna truly became ‘Madonna the Superstar’—the endlessly ambitious, fearlessly provocative entertainer that knew how to outrage, spark debates, get good reviews—and make good music while she’s at it.”