Today in Madonna History: February 6, 2014

Nile Rodgers recording Like A Virgin - Power Station Studio C

On February 6 2014, Like A Virgin producer Nile Rodgers mentioned his collaboration with Madonna during a Google+ Hangout with Billboard:

“I don’t have any unreleased Madonna material because Madonna knew exactly what she wanted her album to be when we did Like a Virgin. The only song that I had any input of bringing into the mix was a cover of Rose Royce’s ballad Love Don’t Live Here Anymore. That was a final last-minute decision.”

Today in Madonna History: February 5, 2014

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On February 5 2014, Madonna introduced Pussy Riot at the Amnesty International’s human rights concert.

It was the first Amnesty International concert for the cause in 16 years, and took place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

During her introduction, Madonna thanked Pussy Riot “for making pussy a ‘sayable’ word in my household. Now, my 8-year-olds say it all the time.”

More seriously, Madonna spoke of the death threats she received during the Russian portion of her MDNA World Tour, which took place at the same time as Pussy Riot’s trial.

“Eighty-seven of my fans were arrested for gay behavior — whatever that is,” she said.

The Pussy Riot members, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alyokhina, spoke in Russian with aggression and passion. A translator related the women’s speech.

“Freedom is not a given,” she translated. “It is something we have to fight for every day. It is our duty to speak for those who are still behind bars.”

Today in Madonna History: February 4, 2012

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On February 4 2012, Kelly Clarkson performed a cover of Madonna’s Crazy For You at the Riverdome in Bossier City, Louisiana.

What are your favourite covers of Madonna songs?

Today in Madonna History: February 3, 2012

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On February 3 2012, Madonna’s Give Me All Your Luvin’ single was released by Interscope Records as the lead single from MDNA.

Give Me All Your Luvin’ featured guest vocals from Nicki Minaj and M.I.A.

The song was written by Madonna, M.I.A., Nicki Minaj, Martin Solveig, and Michael Tordjman, while being produced by Madonna and Martin Solveig.

L-U-V Madonna
Y-O-U you wanna
I see you coming and I don’t wanna know your name
L-U-V Madonna
I see you coming and you’re gonna have to change the game
Y-O-U you wanna
Would you like to try?
Give me a reason why
Give me all that you got
Maybe you’ll do fine
As long as you don’t lie to me
And pretend to be what you’re not

Today in Madonna History: February 2, 1991

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On February 2 1991, Madonna’s Blond Ambition World Tour Live hit #2 on the Top Laserdisc Sales chart in the USA.

The live concert was released only on Laserdisc by Pioneer Artists as part of the sponsorship deal of the 1990 Blond Ambition World Tour and was released to promote the Laserdisc format. It contained the final tour date filmed at Stade de l’Ouest in Nice, France on August 5, 1990 which had previously been shown and produced by American network HBO as part of a television special Madonna – Live! Blond Ambition World Tour 90.

Track listing

Express Yourself
Open Your Heart
Causing a Commotion
Where’s the Party
Like a Virgin
Like a Prayer
Live to Tell
Oh Father
Papa Don’t Preach
Sooner or Later
Hanky Panky
Now I’m Following You
Material Girl
Cherish
Into the Groove
Vogue
Holiday
Family Affair/Keep It Together

Today in Madonna History: February 1, 1985

material girl

On February 1 1985, Madonna’s music video for Material Girl premiered in the U.S. on MTV.

The Mary Lambert-directed clip was a tongue-in-cheek homage to Marilyn Monroe’s performance of Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend from the 1953 film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.

Today In Madonna History: February 28, 2002

On February 28 2002, Madonna announced that she would make her West End stage debut in David Williamson’s play Up For Grabs.  The production would open on May 23, 2002 at Wyndhams Theatre in London, and have a 10-week run.

Madonna’s previous stage role was in Speed-the-Plow in 1988.