Category Archives: 2024

Today in Madonna History: October 6, 2024

October 6, 2024 By in 2024, October Tags: Leave a comment

On October 6 2024, Madonna posted this heartfelt message to her social channels:

My brother Christopher is gone. 
He was the closest human to me for so long 
Its hard to explain our bond 
But it grew out of an understanding that we were different and society was going to give us a hard time for not following the status quo. 
We took each other‘s hands and we danced through the madness of our childhood 
In fact dance was a kind of superglue that held us together.
Discovering Dance in our small Midwestern town saved me and then my brother came along, and it saved him too
My ballet Teacher, also named Christopher- created a safe space for my brother to be Gay. 
a word that was not spoken or even whispered where we lived. 
When I finally got the courage to go to New York to become a Dancer. 
My brother followed.
And again we took each other’s hands, and we danced through the madness of New York City!
We devoured Art and Music And Film like hungry animals
we were in the epicenter of all of these things exploding. 
We danced through the madness of the AIDS epidemic. 
We went to funerals and we cried, and we went dancing. We danced together on stage in the beginning of my career and eventually, he became the Creative Director, of many tours. When it came to good taste, my brother was the Pope, and you had to kiss the ring to get his blessing. 
We defied the Roman Catholic Church, 
The Police, the Moral Majority and all Authority figures that got in the way of Artistic freedom! 
My brother was right by my side.
He was a painter a poet and a visionary. 
I admired him. He had impeccable taste. And a sharp tongue, Which he sometimes used against me but I always forgave him. 
We soared the highest heights together
And floundered in the lowest lows.
Somehow, we always found each other again and We held hands and we kept dancing. 
The last few years have not been easy
We did not speak for sometime but 
When my brother got sick. We found our way back to each other. 
I did my best to keep him alive as long as possible. 
He was in so much pain towards the end 
Once again, we held hands We closed our eyes and we danced.Together.
I’m glad he’s not suffering anymore. 
There will never be anyone like him.
I know he’s dancing somewhere.💔

Christopher Ciccone died October 4 2024 at 63 of cancer.

Today in Madonna History: July 23, 2024

July 23, 2024 By in 2024, July, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

On July 23, 2024, the press posted photos of Ryan Reynolds, Madonna, and her 11-year-old twins, Stella and Estere, joining Hugh Jackman at the premiere of Deadpool & Wolverine at the David H. Koch Theater in New York City on Monday.

Ryan Reynolds and his Deadpool & Wolverine director, Shawn Levy, revealed during an interview on Andy Cohen’s SiriusXM radio show (via People) that they personally met with Madonna to secure the rights to use “Like a Prayer” in the upcoming Marvel film. The music icon agreed, and the song ended up playing a prominent role in both the film and its trailers.

“It did involve a personal visit to Madonna, where we showed Madonna the sequence where ‘Like a Prayer’ would be used,” Levy said.

“Also, let’s preface it with the fact that they don’t license — that Madonna doesn’t just license the song, particularly that song,” Reynolds added. “It was a big deal to ask for it and certainly a bigger deal to use it… We went over and met with her and sort of showed her how it was being used, and where, and why.”

Not only did Madonna allow Reynolds and the Deadpool & Wolverine team to use “Like a Prayer,” but she also provided a note on how it should be used. While Reynolds isn’t revealing specifics just yet, he said, “She gave a great note. She watched it, and I’m not kidding, [she said], ‘You need to do this.’ And damn it, if she wasn’t like spot on.”

“We literally went into a new recording session within 48 hours to do this note. … It made the sequence better,” Levy added.

In addition to Madonna, the Deadpool & Wolverine soundtrack includes songs from *NSYNC, The Goo Goo Dolls, Fergie, Avril Lavigne, Aretha Franklin, Green Day, and The Greatest Showman soundtrack, among others.

Today in Madonna History: May 5, 2024

May 5, 2024 By in 2024, May Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

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

  • It’s a Celebration (with Bob the Drag Queen)
  • Nothing Really Matters
  • Everybody
  • Into the Groove
  • Burning Up
  • Open Your Heart
  • Holiday

Act II

  • The Storm
  • Live to Tell
  • The Ritual (Dancers interlude)
  • Like a Prayer

Act III

  • Living for Love
  • Erotica
  • Justify My Love
  • Hung Up
  • Bad Girl

Act IV

  • Ballroom (Dancers interlude)
  • Vogue (with Anitta)
  • Human Nature (Shortened)
  • Crazy for You (Shortened)

Act V

  • The Beast Within
  • Die Another Day
  • Don’t Tell Me
  • This Little Light of Mine (Acapella snippet)
  • Express Yourself (Acoustic; extended outro)
  • La Isla Bonita
  • Music (with Pabllo Vittar)

Act VI

  • Madonna (video interlude)
  • Bedtime Story
  • Ray of Light
  • Rain

Act VII

  • Billie Jean / Like a Virgin
  • Bitch I’m Madonna
  • Celebration (shortened instrumental outro)