Today in Madonna History: February 23, 1988

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On February 23 1988, Madonna began rehearsals for David Mamet’s play Speed-the-Plow, in New York City. The play co-starred Joe Mantegna and Ron Silver, and was directed by Gregory Mosher.

Today in Madonna History: January 23, 1988

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On January 23 1988, Madonna’s You Can Dance remix album hit #14 (and peaked) on the Billboard 200 chart.

Here is Stephen Thomas Erlewine’s review (from AllMusic.com) of You Can Dance:

Released in 1987 as a stopgap, the remix album You Can Dance reworks material from Madonna’s first three albums. Actually, it keeps the spotlight on her first record, adding non-LP singles like “Into the Groove” for good measure, along with a bonus track of “Where’s the Party.” Since it’s a dance album, it doesn’t matter that “Holiday” and “Into the Groove” are here twice, once each in dub versions, because the essential grooves and music are quite different in each incarnation. It is true that some of this now sounds dated — these are quite clearly extended mixes from the mid-’80s — but that’s part of its charm, and it all holds together quite well. Not essential, but fun.

Today in Madonna History: January 20, 1988

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On January 20 1988, Madonna’s You Can Dance remix album was certified platinum in the USA for sales of 1,000,000 copies.

Patrick Leonard had this to say about working on the album:

“Remixing is a form of secondary creativity. Dance music elevates the DJ and the mixer to being almost on a level with the musician. In my opinion this is false. Manipulation of pre-recorded sound sources may be creative in a secondary sense, and may be valid in its own field, but it is pseudo musicianship. That’s why we tried to have a fresh approach to the songs for You Can Dance, as if we were developing and composing them for the first time.

Today in Madonna History: November 25, 1988

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On November 25 1988, Madonna signed a handwritten check to Simone Sable, for $129.05, signed “Madonna Ciccone.” The check was written for a wax. The cheque was number 1107 from Entertainment Industries Division of Mercantile National Bank.

I wonder if she was getting her eyebrows waxed? Madonna has sported some kick-ass out of control eyebrows over the years.    

Here are some of our favourite eyebrow photos:

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And here she is with almost no eyebrows:

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Today in Madonna History: July 23, 1988

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On July 23 1988, Madonna – Ciao Italia: Live From Italy hit #1 on the Top Music Videos chart in the US.

Today in Madonna History: July 1, 1988

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On July 1 1988,  Madonna made a surprise unscheduled appearance on NBC-TV’s Late Night With David Letterman. Sandra Bernhard was David’s scheduled guest.

Today in Madonna History: June 5, 1988

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On June 5 1988, Madonna presented a special award to the founders of the South Coast Repertory of Costa Mesa, California at the 42nd annual Tony Awards at the Minskoff Theatre in New York.