Today in Madonna History: June 25, 2001

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On June 25 2001, Madonna was featured on the cover of People Magazine.

Kicking off her latest tour, the Material Mom shows Barcelona she hasn’t lost a step – or her nerve.

She strutted across the stage at Barcelona’s Palau Sant Jordi stadium as a snarling punk rocker. Then she became a shotgun-wielding geisha; next, a cowgirl gyrating on a mechanical bull. Clearly, marriage and motherhood haven’t mellowed Madonna. As nannies minded daughter Lourdes, 4, and son Rocco, 10 months, at a nearby villa, husband Guy Ritchie, 32, watched from the sound-board as the 42-year-old queen of pop mesmerized 18,000 fans on June 9, opening night of her 14-week Drowned World Tour—her first since 1993. Reports backup singer Niki Haris at a postconcert party: “Madonna was very, very happy. And tired.”

Did you see Madonna live during the Drowned World Tour? Where did you see her? 

Today in Madonna History: May 24, 2001

On May 24 2001, U.S. cable network HBO confirmed that it would broadcast Madonna’s Drowned World Tour on August 26th:

Madonna is taking her Music to the masses — HBO masses, that is. The cable network will air a live concert from the pop icon’s latest tour, the first in eight years, called the Drowned World Tour. Airing Aug. 26, the concert will be broadcast from The Palace of Auburn Hills in Detroit, Madonna’s hometown. It’s a thrill for us to have Madonna back because we know it is going to be a spectacular show, with that combination of her amazing talent and extravagant style which only Madonna can bring, says Nancy Gellar, HBO’s senior vice president of original programming. HBO and Madonna last teamed for 1993’s Madonna — Live Down Under: The Girlie Show, which aired live from Sydney, Australia. The program was HBO’s most-watched original program of the year. Madonna’s first special on HBO, 1990’s Madonna — Live! Blond Ambition World Tour, premiered to record numbers and remains one of the highest-rated original programs in HBO history.

Unlike HBO’s previous Madonna tour broadcasts, however, the live airing of the Drowned World Tour was simulcast to Canadian viewers via premium channel, The Movie Network.

A re-edited version of the concert special was later released on VHS & DVD on November 13th, 2001.

Today in Madonna History: May 21, 2001

On May 21 2001, the U.S. leg of Madonna’s Drowned World Tour continued to sell out performances in the final seven markets that went on sale the previous weekend. A press release stated that the tour, promoted by SFX, promised to be the most extravagant stage spectacle of Madonna’s career thus far. The last batch of cities announced for the tour included sold-out dates in New York, New Jersey, Washington, Miami, Atlanta, Las Vegas and Los Angeles. It was also announced that due to overwhelming demand, an additional three shows in New York and two in Los Angeles had been added to the itinerary, with tickets to go on sale May 30th.

Today in Madonna History: September 15, 2001

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On September 15 2001 Madonna ended her Drowned World Tour at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

The September 15 show was originally scheduled to take place on September 11 but was postponed due to the September 11 terrorist attacks.

Today in Madonna History: August 15, 2001

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On August 15 2001, during a sold-out “Drowned World Tour” concert at the National Car Rental Center, Sunrise, FL, Madonna was surprised by husband Guy Ritchie when he appeared onstage to present her a cake for her 43rd birthday.

Today in Madonna History: July 25, 2001

On July 25 2001, Madonna played the first of five sold-out shows at New York’s Madison Square Garden during her Drowned World Tour.

Today in Madonna History: April 16, 2001

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On April 16 2001, the Drowned World Tour schedule was announced.

This the complete list of Drowned World Tour dates as performed by Madonna:

June 05 – Kölnarena, Cologne, Germany – cancelled (technical difficulties)
June 06 – Kölnarena, Cologne, Germany – cancelled (technical difficulties)
June 09 – Palau Sant Jordi, Barcelona, Spain
June 10 – Palau Sant Jordi, Barcelona, Spain
June 14 – Fila Forum, Milan, Italy
June 13 – Fila Forum, Milan, Italy
June 15 – Fila Forum, Milan, Italy
June 19 – Max Schmeling-Halle, Berlin, Germany
June 20 – Max Schmeling-Halle, Berlin, Germany
June 22 – Max Schmeling-Halle, Berlin, Germany
June 23 – Max Schmeling-Halle, Berlin, Germany
June 26 – Palace Omnisports de Paris Bercy, Paris, France
June 27 – Palace Omnisports de Paris Bercy, Paris, France
June 29 – Palace Omnisports de Paris Bercy, Paris, France
June 30 – Palace Omnisports de Paris Bercy, Paris, France
July 04 – Earls Court, London, England
July 06 – Earls Court, London, England
July 07 – Earls Court, London, England
July 09 – Earls Court, London, England
July 10 – Earls Court, London, England
July 12 – Earls Court, London, England
July 21 – First Union Center, Philadelphia, PA
July 22 – First Union Center, Philadelphia, PA
July 25 – Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
July 26 – Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
July 28 – Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
July 30 – Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
July 31 – Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
August 02 – Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, NJ
August 03 – Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford, NJ – cancelled (illness)
August 07 – Fleet Center, Boston, MA
August 08 – Fleet Center, Boston, MA
August 10 – MCI Center, Washington, DC
August 11 – MCI Center, Washington, DC
August 14 – National Car Rental Center, Miami, FL
August 15 – National Car Rental Center, Miami, FL
August 19 – Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA
August 20 – Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA
August 25 – The Palace of Auburn Hills, Detroit, MI
August 26 – The Palace of Auburn Hills, Detroit, MI
August 28 – United Center, Chicago, IL
August 29 – United Center, Chicago, IL
September 01 – MGM Grand, Las Vegas, NV
September 02 – MGM Grand, Las Vegas, NV
September 05 – Oakland Arena, Oakland, CA
September 06 – Oakland Arena, Oakland, CA
September 09 – Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
September 11 – Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA – rescheduled due to 9/11 attacks
September 13 – Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
September 14 – Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
September 15 – Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA

Quite simply the musical event of the year” – The Sun.

Simply sensational” – Daily Telegraph.

Madonna Shoots to thrill” – Daily Mail.