Today in Madonna History: May 5, 2005

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On May 5 2005, it was announced that Madonna would grace the cover of B&W Magazine, an American magazine dedicated to black and white photography.

The magazine featured an interview with Curtis Knapp, the photographer who took the cover photo in 1983, originally for Island Magazine. The photo was reused on the cover of B&W to celebrate his work.

Today in Madonna History: May 4, 2015

 

On May 4 2015, Madonna attended the Met Ball wearing Moschino.  The theme of the 2015 Costume Institute Gala Benefit was celebrating the opening of the China: Through the Looking Glass exhibit. The benefit was co-chaired by Jennifer Lawrence, Gong Li and Vogue editor Anna Wintour.

Madonna was spotted on the red carpet with Tom Ford, Rita Ora and Diplo.  She was later photographed snuggling with Katy Perry and Lady Gaga.

 

Today in Madonna History: May 3, 1988

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On May 3 1988, David Mamet’s Speed-the-Plow premiered on Broadway at the Royale Theatre in a production by the Lincoln Center Theater, closing on Dec 31, 1988 after 279 performances. The original Broadway cast featured Joe Mantegna, Ron Silver and Madonna until August 30 1988, after which the production was recast with David Rasche, Bob Balaban and Felicity Huffman for the remainder of its run.

The play was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Play and Best Direction of a Play (Gregory Mosher). Silver won a Tony Award for Best Actor (Play).

It has since been produced countless times for regional and national theatre audiences worldwide.

Today in Madonna History: May 2, 2016

On May 2 2016, three of Madonna’s Blond Ambition Tour dancers – Jose Gutierez, Kevin Stea & Oliver Crumes – were interviewed by Gill Deacon for CBC-Radio’s arts and culture show, Q.

The dancers were in Toronto to promote their documentary, Strike A Pose, which was being screened during the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival between April 27–May 7 and the Inside Out Toronto film festival from May 27–June 5, 2016.

For anyone who hasn’t yet watched Strike A Pose, be sure to check it out! It’s a beautiful film!

Today in Madonna History: May 1, 1990

On May 1, 1990, Madonna was a guest on the Arsenio Hall Show.  During her appearance, Madonna promoted Dick Tracy and made Arsenio sweat about Paula Abdul, etc.

Today in Madonna History: May 31, 2003

On May 31 2003, Madonna’s American Life single hit #1 on Billboard’s Hot Dance/Club Play chart in the USA, spending one week at the top.

If you could go back in time and change one thing about the American Life single release, what would you change?

Today in Madonna History: May 30, 1987

On May 30th 1987, Breakfast Club scored their biggest hit as Right On Track peaked at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Madonna became a member of Breakfast Club in late 1979, first as a drummer before branching out to keyboards and guitar, all the while sharing vocal duties (and living quarters) with her boyfriend, Dan Gilroy, and his brother Ed.

Bassist Gary Burke left Breakfast Club with Madonna and Mike Monahan to form Emmy with Stephen Bray in early 1981.

As Madonna was achieving success as a solo artist, Burke and Bray rejoined the Gilroy brothers for Breakfast Club’s 1984 single, Rico Mambo, on ZE Records, followed by a self-titled LP for MCA Records in 1987.

In yet another Madonna connection, Re-Invention Tour back-up singer/dancer Siedah Garrett makes an appearance in the video for Right On Track and also provided backing vocals for the song.