Today in Madonna History: February 27, 2012

February 27, 2017 By in 2012, February Tags: , , 1 Comment

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On February 27 2012, the tickets for Madonna’s MDNA Tour stop in Abu Dhabi (June 3) went on sale and all 22,000 tickets for her first-ever United Arab Emirates show were sold-out immediately.

“The moment you’ve all been waiting for, here’s your chance to witness the concert of the decade as Madonna, the world’s top-selling female recording artist, makes her appearance on our shores,” announced the Flash Entertainment website, before replacing the picture on their site with a sold-out banner.

Mira Sadek from Flash entertainment said: “We are proud and delighted that the UAE will host Madonna’s first concert in the Gulf region. We were surprised with the speed at which the tickets were sold out, although we were expecting such a huge fan base.”

A second show at Yas Arena was added for June 4 and also sold-out immediately (tickets for the second show went on sale March 5).
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Today in Madonna History: February 26, 2008

February 26, 2017 By in 2008, February Tags: , , , , , 1 Comment

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On February 26 2008, Entertainment Weekly magazine confirmed the title, cover art and release date of Madonna’s final studio album for Warner Bros., Hard Candy.

Madonna chose to stick with the sweet theme because “she loves candy,” said her longtime rep, Liz Rosenberg. “It’s about the juxtaposition of tough and sweetness, or as Madonna so eloquently expressed, ‘I’m gonna kick your ass, but it’s going to make you feel good.'”

The album, which would feature Justin Timberlake on multiple tracks and production by Pharrell Williams, Timbaland, and Nate “Danja” Hills, was scheduled for release on April 29th in North America. The first single, 4 Minutes, would precede it in mid-March.

Today in Madonna History: February 25, 1987

February 25, 2017 By in 1987, February Tags: , , , , 1 Comment

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On February 25 1987, Madonna’s La Isla Bonita was released as the fifth and final single from the True Blue album.

An instrumental version of the song, written by Bruce Gaitsch, was first offered to Michael Jackson for his Bad album, but Jackson declined to use the track.

While working with Patrick Leonard on the True Blue album, Madonna accepted the instrumental track and then wrote the lyrics and melody, giving her a co-writing credit with Leonard and Gaitsch. The track was also produced by Madonna and Patrick Leonard.

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Today in Madonna History: February 24, 2016

February 24, 2017 By in 2016, February Tags: , , , , 1 Comment

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On February 24 2016, Madonna performed in the Philippines for the very first time. Madonna’s Rebel Heart Tour made a stop at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, performing for a sold out crowd of 15,710 fans.

Ticket prices were above average and ranged from $70 to $1300.

Madonna added Like A Prayer to the set during the first show and added Crazy For You during the second show (February 25).

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Today in Madonna History: February 23, 1985

February 23, 2017 By in 1985, February Tags: , , 1 Comment

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On February 23 1985, Bruce Springsteen and Madonna joined Prince onstage to sing Baby I’m A Star at the Forum in Inglewood, California.

No photos or live concert footage has ever surfaced from this rarest of rare performances.

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Today in Madonna History: February 22, 1991

February 22, 2017 By in 1991, February Tags: , 1 Comment

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On February 22 1991, Madonna’s controversial Justify My Love music video single was certified 8x platinum for shipment of 400,000 units in the USA.

Despite MTV and other similar video channels around the world banning the Justify My Love music video, the financial advantages of the ban were not lost on Madonna:

“It may seem like it was a publicity stunt, and I was very lucky, I must say. But I did not plan on selling this video. The controversy just happened. It wasn’t planned. So lucky me.”

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Today in Madonna History: February 21, 2001

February 21, 2017 By in 2001, February Tags: , , 1 Comment

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On February 21 2001, Kevin Reagan won a Grammy award for Best Recording Package for Music.

Reagan had collected the same award two years earlier for his art direction on Madonna’s Ray Of Light album. He would go on to win it a third time in 2003 for The Dixie Chicks’ Home.