Today in Madonna History: June 8, 2026

June 8, 2026 By Jay in 2026, June Tags: Arca, Archie Madekwe, Bedtime Story, Benedict Cumberbatch, Confessions II, Confessions II – The Film, Danceteria, David Toro, Debi Mazar, Deeper and Deeper, Dolce and Gabbana, Gwendoline Christie, Honey Dijon, Hung Up, Into The Groove, Julia Garner, Kate Moss, Lourdes Leon, Lucky Star, Odessa A’zion, Richard E. Grant, Sabrina Carpenter, Shygirl, Solomon Chase, TORSO, Tribeca Film Festival, Warner Records, YouTube 1 Comment

On June 8, 2026, Confessions II – The Film premiered globally on YouTube, giving fans their first full look at the visual world surrounding Madonna’s upcoming album, Confessions II.

The nearly 14-minute film had premiered three days earlier at the Tribeca Festival in New York. Directed by David Toro and Solomon Chase of TORSO, the project was created as a cinematic companion to the album and features previews of six new songs.

Dolce & Gabbana partnered with Madonna on the film and curated the wardrobe for Madonna and the extended cast, adding another chapter to one of her longest-running fashion relationships.

The release quickly became a fan event, with appearances from Julia Garner, Lourdes Leon, Kate Moss, Debi Mazar, Benedict Cumberbatch, Gwendoline Christie, Richard E. Grant, Odessa A’zion, Archie Madekwe, Arca, Honey Dijon, Shygirl, Sabrina Carpenter, Cole Palmer, and João Pedro.

For longtime fans, the details mattered. The film includes references to Madonna’s early New York story, Danceteria, paparazzi culture, club life, and earlier visual eras, with nods to “Lucky Star,” “Into the Groove,” “Deeper and Deeper,” and “Hung Up.” Slant Magazine called the short film a “phantasmagoric disco dream,” a fitting description for a project built around memory, nightlife, fame, and reinvention.

A Madonna visual moment that once might have lived on MTV, VHS, DVD, or a limited festival screen was now available worldwide on YouTube the same day. More than four decades after Madonna helped redefine the music video as an art form, she was still using the format to build a world around the music.

On this day in Madonna history, the dance floor opened again.

Today in Madonna History: June 19, 2013

June 19, 2024 By sonicboy19 in 2013, June Tags: Danceteria, Debi Mazar, Everybody, Keith Haring, Paradise Garage 1 Comment

june-19-madonna-debi-mazar

On June 19 2013, Debi Mazar talked to The Cut about how she first met Madonna:

I was in Danceteria, working the elevator. She came into my elevator, and a great song was spinning and she goes, ‘Hey, you wanna dance? And I was like, ‘Yeah!’ And I parked the elevator, and we had a great dance together and then later on we danced some more. She wasn’t, like, a big star yet. She was just a girl from Detroit who had a real raw sexuality. From there on we became pals and started dancing and hanging out. I was doing makeup then, and so I did her makeup for years. She was like, ‘I’m gonna be a star one day,’ and I was like, ‘Great!’ We also did videos together. The first one was a song called ‘Everybody,’ and we filmed at the Paradise Garage, and Keith Haring was there. That was the beginning. I was always trying to pluck her eyebrows — they’re caterpillars. At this moment in time I probably wouldn’t pluck them, but it was the eighties, so, you know. Anyway, we remained girlfriends and we still are.

Today in Madonna History: February 14, 2013

February 14, 2024 By Jay in 2013, February Tags: Danceteria, Everybody, Mark Kamins 1 Comment

On February 14 2013, Mark Kamins, Madonna’s ex-boyfriend, and pioneering DJ-producer who helped launch her career, died.

A fixture in the downtown New York City scene of the early 1980s, he held court at Danceteria and produced Madonna’s debut single, Everybody.

In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, Madonna wrote:

“I’m very sorry to hear about Mark’s death. I haven’t seen him for years but if it weren’t for him, I might not have had a singing career. He was the first DJ to play my demos before I had a record deal. He believed in me before anyone else did. I owe him a lot. May he Rest in Peace.”

Today in Madonna History: April 3, 2023

April 3, 2023 By Jay in 2023, April Tags: Danceteria, Everybody, Mark Kamins, Michael Rosenblatt, Seymour Stein, Sire Records 1 Comment

On April 3 2023, Madonna paid her respects to Seymour Stein, who died at age 80 on April 2 after a long battle with cancer. Seymour was responsible for signing Madonna to Sire Records in 1983. Stein also signed the Cure, the Smiths, Talking Heads, the Ramones, the Pretenders, Depeche Mode, Lou Reed, Ice-T, the Replacements, Aphex Twins and many more. He also helped found the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Here is Madonna’s message as posted to social media:

Seymour Stein Has Left Us! I need to catch my breath.
He Was one of the most influential Men in my Life!! He changed and Shaped my world. I must Explain.

I stalked a DJ named Mark Kamin- for a year at a club called Danceteria! In the Early 80’s. He finally agreed to play my demo of a song called “Everybody” on a Saturday night.
The Club was packed. An A&R man from SIRE records was there—Michael Rosenblatt.
He heard the music and asked me if he could bring me to meet his boss Seymour Stein.
I Couldn’t get the words “Hell Yes”! out of my mouth fast enough!

Unfortunately Seymour was in the hospital for a Heart Ailment!
I didn’t care. Lets Goooooo! When I met him he was laying in a hospital bed wearing his boxer shorts and a wife beater! He had a cannula up his nose and a saline Drip in his arm! He was grinning like the Cheshire Cat. I was carrying my giant boombox ready to play My cassette for him immediately! He smiled and laughed when he saw me and asked me if I was related to the Virgin Mary!! Hahahhahahaa. I knew we would hit it off. I played him the song a few times. He signed me to his record label that day!!

This moment changed the course of my Life Forever. And was the beginning of my journey as a Musical Artist. Not only did Seymour hear me but he Saw me and my Potential! For this I will be eternally grateful!
I am weeping as I write this down. Words cannot describe how I felt at this moment after years of grinding and being broke and getting every door slammed in my face.

Anyone who knew Seymour knew about his passion for music and his impeccable taste. He had an Ear like no other! He was Intense -Wickedly Funny-a little bit Crazy And Deeply intuitive.

Dearest Seymour you will never be forgotten!! Thank You! Thank you Thank you! 🙏🏼 💙 Shine on!!!