Today in Madonna History: January 6, 1990

January 6, 2024 By sonicboy19 in 1990, January Tags: Billboard, Ciao Italia, Live Videos, Madonna Live: The Virgin Tour, Madonna The Videos, Over And Over 1 Comment

On January 6 1990, Billboard magazine looked back at the top-selling music videocassettes of the 1980’s. All three of Madonna’s qualifying releases charted, with both her self-titled four-video EP and Madonna Live: The Virgin Tour topping the list for the years 1985 and 1986 respectively.

It should be noted that Ciao Italia, which ranked #7 on the 1989 tally, was at a disadvantage for this type of chart due to its mid-year release. Had it been released in early 1988, or even late 1987, it certainly would have fared better.

Today in Madonna History: December 26, 1987

December 26, 2023 By Jay in 1987, December Tags: Canada, Canadian Singles Chart, Charts, Live Videos, Who's That Girl (Single) 1 Comment

On December 26 1987, RPM magazine – Canada’s definitive music industry publication at the time – issued its year-end singles tally.

All four of Madonna’s eligible Canadian singles charting in 1987 made the list:

Who’s That Girl – #12
La Isla Bonita – #22
Causing A Commotion – #42
Open Your Heart – #68

Today in Madonna History: November 26, 1987

November 26, 2023 By sonicboy19 in 1987, November Tags: Japan, Laserdisc Release, Live Videos, Tokyo, VHS, VHS Release, Who's That Girl World Tour 1 Comment

On November 26 1987, Who’s That Girl – Live In Japan was released on VHS and LaserDisc by Warner-Pioneer Video, exclusively for the Japanese market. Recorded in Tokyo on June 22 1987, the show initially aired as a television special in Japan in conjunction with Madonna’s sponsorship agreement with Mitsubishi. The special was the first ever television broadcast to make use of Dolby Surround Sound technology.

Elements of the Japanese release were also incorporated into the international 1988 release of the Who’s That Girl World Tour, Ciao Italia: Live From Italy, which was also released in Japan on LaserDisc in 1988 and on DVD in 2001. Meanwhile, the complete Live In Japan release has since been deleted from circulation.

Today in Madonna History: November 25, 2000

November 25, 2023 By sonicboy19 in 2000, November Tags: Donna De Lory, Live Videos, Music (Single), Niki Haris, Top Of The Pops 1 Comment

On November 25 2000, Madonna’s mimed performance of Music recorded for the BBC music series Top Of The Pops aired on RTL in Germany. It would later air on the BBC’s year-end retrospective edition of Top Of The Pops on December 25th.

Madonna was accompanied by long-time back-up singers/dancers Donna De Lory and Niki Harris during the performance.

Today in Madonna History: November 8, 2005

November 8, 2023 By sonicboy19 in 2005, November Tags: Confessions on a Dance Floor, Get Together, Hung Up, Interview Videos, Live Videos, Michael Parkinson, TV Performance 1 Comment

On November 8 2005, Madonna recorded an interview with Michael Parkinson for an episode of the British television series Parkinson, for broadcast on November 12th.

Madonna was in great spirits during the appearance, which also included performances of two songs from her soon-to-be-released album, Confessions On A Dance Floor: lead single Hung Up along with the very first live performance of Get Together.

(Thanks Amalio for sharing the video!)

Today in Madonna History: October 27, 1996

October 27, 2023 By sonicboy19 in 1997, October Tags: Andrew Lloyd Webber, Billboard, Evita, Live Videos, Review, Single Release, Sticky & Sweet Tour, Tim Rice, You Must Love Me 1 Comment

On October 27 1996, Madonna’s You Must Love Me (the lead single from Evita) was released.

Kathleen Guerdo’s review for Billboard:

“Madonna delivers what is by far one of the strongest vocal performances of her career, comfortably scaling to the song’s demanding soprano heights while infusing it with delicate, heart-rending emotion. This bodes well for the creative potency of the rest of the soundtrack, which is due Nov. 14. Prepare for wall-to-wall airplay of this flawless ballad on pop and AC radio.”