On July 5 2017, and in honour of International Bikini Day, we present to you Madonna in all her bikini glory:
Today in Madonna History: July 4, 2015
On July 4 2015, Madonna’s third single off of Rebel Heart, Bitch I’m Madonna, was the Hot Shot Debut at #26 on Billboard’s Dance Club Songs Chart in the USA.
Bitch was Madonna’s 4th highest debut after Secret debuted at #18, Give Me All Your Luvin’ at #24 and Hung Up at #25.
Not bad for an irrelevant aging has-been!
Today in Madonna History: July 3, 2006
On July 3 2006, Madonna performed her Confessions Tour at Madison Square Gardens.
It was the last of four SOLD OUT shows at the Gardens (June 28, 29 July 2 and 3). In total Madonna performed in front of 91,841 fans in New York, generating $16,507,855 in ticket sales.
Today in Madonna History: July 2, 2005
On July 2 2005, Madonna performed Like A Prayer, Ray Of Light and Music in front of an audience of over 200,000 during the Live 8 benefit concert at London’s Hyde Park. Part of a series of concerts, many of which were held simultaneously at various locations around the world, Live 8 was broadcast live on television and radio to an estimated global audience of two billion.
Madonna is one of only eight acts – and the only female artist – to have been a headlining performer at both 1985’s Live Aid and 2005’s Live 8. Other returning performers were U2, Paul McCartney, Elton John, Sting, The Who, George Michael, and organizer, Bob Geldof. It took a bit of arm twisting on Geldof’s part to win Madonna’s commitment the second time around, as Madonna explained to MTV’s John Norris in a backstage interview after her performance:
Bob Geldof sent me a letter asking ‘will you do Live 8?’ and he didn’t really tell me anything and I went ‘Oh common dude, you gotta do better than that! Prove to me that it’s gonna make a difference and I’ll be there for you.’ And he did!”
In what turned out to be one of the event’s most moving moments, Madonna was introduced to the stage by Geldof with Birhan Woldu – the starving African child featured in the CBC News report twenty years earlier who had prompted Geldof to organize Live Aid. When Geldof had asked Woldu which artist she would like to appear with on stage, she immediately selected Madonna for the simple reason that she was the only artist on the bill that she had ever heard of. In a later interview, Woldu recalled the experience:
The crowd seemed to stretch for miles, but I’d been telling myself not to be nervous. There was just a huge picture of me as a child on the screen. That photo still upsets me. It was taken 20 years ago, when both my mother and sister died. I knew I must be strong for them but when I walked on I could feel my body shaking. Then Madonna took my hand and looked into my eyes, the crowd roared and I realised the world wanted to help my continent. I felt myself grow stronger.”
Madonna’s memorable performance at Live 8 was largely praised by mainstream media and fans alike.
Today in Madonna History: July 1, 1989
On July 1 1989, Madonna’s Express Yourself single reached a peak of #5 on the Dutch Top 40.
Today in Madonna History: June 30, 1997
On June 30 1997, Madonna began recording sessions for what would become her Ray Of Light album at Larrabee North Recording Studios, Universal City, Los Angeles.
Madonna had already spent several months writing songs and producing demos with Patrick Leonard, Rick Nowels and Babyface (although none of the Babyface material would make the final cut) by the time she entered the studio with co-producers William Orbit and Marius De Vries. Leonard would return to the project to assist with arrangements, earning him a co-producer’s credit on four of the album’s tracks. Madonna would add lyrics and melody to at least a half-dozen previously composed Orbit demos during these sessions as well, with six of their songs making the final track list.
Today in Madonna History: June 29, 1993
On June 29 1993, ads ran in the Daily Variety & Hollywood Reporter announcing dancer auditions for an upcoming Madonna world tour:
Looking for 3 very special girls and a few good men.
Androgynous. Boyish girls between 5’4″-5’8″ with very short hair – that can dance well!
Men between 5’10”-6’2″ with versatility.
Classical training and street sensibility required!
Wednesday June 30th 12:30-5:30 pm, 3rd Street Dance Academy, 8115 3rd St, L.A., 90048
