Today in Madonna History: June 2, 2005

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On June 2 2005, Madonna.com confirmed Madonna’s participation of Live 8:

“Sir Bob Geldof confirmed in a press conference yesterday the details and confirmed the artists featuring in Live 8 – a series of five live shows in London, Paris, Philadelphia, Rome and Berlin on Saturday July 2nd. The concerts have been organized by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure as part of a campaign to force the world’s richest nations to relieve poverty in the third world. The concerts – which will be free – are aimed at raising awareness of poverty just before leaders of the Group of Eight industrialized nations meet in Scotland…”

Madonna went on to perform a three-song set from London’s Hyde Park consisting of Like A Prayer, Ray Of Light & Music.

Today in Madonna History: July 13, 1985

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On July 13 1985, Madonna performed at the Live Aid benefit concert at JFK Stadium, Philadelphia, PA.

Madonna’s set included Into The Groove, Holiday, and a brand new song that she had written with Patrick Leonard during The Virgin Tour, Love Makes The World Go Round. The latter song marked the first known songwriting collaboration in a partnership with Leonard that would prove to be long lasting and especially fruitful. The track would resurface, among other songs co-produced by the pair, on Madonna’s True Blue album a year later.

Madonna also joined the Thompson Twins on stage for a cover The Beatles’ Revolution.

Today in Madonna History: July 29, 1985

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On July 29 1985, Madonna and many of the performers from Live Aid appeared on the cover of People Magazine.

Music that moved the world sixteen years after Woodstock, Rock’s best and brightest gather on two continents to set new standards of good work—and good works.

Sequestered by location, security personnel and a multilayered credential system, the stars were free to enjoy one another’s company without too much interference from fans and other mortals. Madonna, looking a bit frightened despite a phalanx of guards, clung to the hand of her intended, the surly Sean Penn. Penn spent most of the concert either inside Madonna’s trailer or gazing at a video monitor in front of trailers being used by Robert Plant and Tom Petty. Madonna later relaxed enough to drape an arm around the shoulder of Bob Dylan, no slouch himself in the surly department. Hey, the lady knows what she likes.

Today in Madonna History: July 7, 2007

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On July 7 2007, Madonna performed Hey You, Ray Of Light, La Isla Bonita/Lela Pala Tute and Hung Up at the Live Earth benefit concert at London’s Wembley Stadium.

Madonna was joined onstage by Gogol Bordello. It was also her final live performance to feature longtime backing singer Donna De Lory, musical director/collaborator Stuart Price, as well as drummer Steve Sidelnyk and keyboardist Marcus Brown.

Today in Madonna History: December 4, 2007

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On December 4 2007, Warner Bros. released Live Earth: The Concerts for a Climate in Crisis on CD and DVD. The CD included Madonna’s Hey You, while the DVD included her La Isla Bonita performance with Gogol Bordello.

The CD/DVD was released internationally on November 26 and December 4 in North America. Proceeds from the CD/DVD were directed to the Alliance for Climate Protection.

Madonna performed the following songs during the benefit concert:

  • Hey You
  • Ray Of Light
  • La Isla Bonita
  • Hung Up

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Today in Madonna History: September 10, 2015

On September 10 2015, Madonna joined Régine Chassagne and Win Butler (Arcade Fire), Diplo and DJ Windows 98, on stage at the PHI Centre in Montreal, after her Rebel Heart Tour concert. The PHI Centre presented a special night, Naïve Melodie, for the benefit of the Kanpe Foundation.

Madonna played the cow bell during a performance of David Bowie’s Rebel Rebel.

Kanpe is a foundation that “stands with the most vulnerable Haitian families towards their financial autonomy.”

Today in Madonna History: July 13, 1987

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On July 13 1987, Madonna performed an AIDS benefit concert in memory of her friend Martin Burgoyne at Madison Square Garden in New York.

The concert raised $400,00 for the American Foundation for AIDS Research (AMFAR).

The show was part of Madonna’s Who’s That Girl World Tour and she performed in front 14,000 fans.

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