Today in Madonna History: May 29, 1995

May 29, 2022 By Jay in 1995, May Tags: Alek Keshishian, Commercial, Japan, Jun Legend Takara 2 Comments

On May 29 1995, Alek Keshishian filmed Madonna in a Japanese television commercial for Takara, a shochu or Japanese sake manufacturer. The sake, called Jun Legend, was made by blending two types of alcohol distilled from barley and corn and aging them in charred oak barrels for one to five years. Takara’s claim was that the sake tasted similar to whiskey.

Madonna wrote and sang the commercial’s jingle, which featured the lyrics: “How can I be pure, when all the strength I have is breaking me? How can I be sure, where is this road I’ve chosen taking me? I’m pure. Jun Legend.”

Today in Madonna History: May 7, 1995

May 7, 2022 By Jay in 1995, May Tags: Bedtime Story, New Zealand 1 Comment

On May 7 1995, Madonna’s Bedtime Story debuted at #40 in New Zealand. The single peaked at #38 the following week and then left the charts after three weeks.

Today in Madonna History: April 22, 1995

April 22, 2022 By sonicboy19 in 1995, April Tags: Bedtime Story, Billboard Hot 100, Burning Up, Charts 5 Comments

On April 22 1995, Bedtime Story debuted at number 72 on the US Billboard Hot 100, on the issue dated April 22, 1995. One week later, the song peaked at number 42, becoming the first Madonna single since Burning Up (1983) to miss the top 40.

Today In Madonna History: March 15, 1995

March 15, 2022 By Jay in 1995, March Tags: Andrew Lloyd Webber, Eva Peron, Evita 1 Comment

On March 15 1995, Madonna signed on to star as the late Eva Peron in film version of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Broadway musical Evita.

Today In Madonna History: March 1, 1995

March 1, 2022 By Jay in 1995, March Tags: Ad Campaign, Gianni Versace, Steven Meisel, Versace 2 Comments

On March 1 1995, Madonna began to appear in a series of promotional ad campaigns in various North American magazines for Gianni Versace fashions. Photographs by Steven Meisel.

Today in Madonna History: February 20, 1995

February 20, 2022 By sonicboy19 in 1995, February Tags: Bedtime Story, Bjork, Brit Awards, Live Videos, TV Performance, Versace 3 Comments

On February 20 1995, Madonna performed Bedtime Story live for the first and only time at the Brit Awards. The performance was set to a remix of the song by Junior Vasquez. Madonna wore a white Versace dress and long hair extensions, an image similar to her 1995 Versace advertisement campaign spread.

Madonna invited Björk to feature in the performance but Björk declined the offer, later stating: “I was supposed to get [Madonna’s] personal number and call her up, but it just didn’t feel right. I’d love to meet her accidentally, really drunk in a bar. It’s just all that formality that confuses me.”