Today in Madonna History: December 22, 2009

On December 22 2009, Madonna’s hits collection Celebration was released on vinyl in the U.S. by Warner Bros. Records following a one-week delay from its original street date.

The deluxe vinyl package featured four 120g black vinyl discs pressed at Record Industry (Netherlands) in a 2-pocket Stoughton gatefold jacket with expanded pockets (2 discs in each pocket) and included all of the 36 songs originally available on the 2-CD edition of the album. A vinyl edition for the European market also appeared in record shops on January 8th, 2010.

Although Warner made no indication of either pressing being a limited edition release, the sets disappeared from store shelves once their initial shipments had sold and were promptly deleted from circulation by Warner on both continents without explanation. Sealed copies of the sets now command more than $500+ USD in the collectors market.

Today in Madonna History: December 14, 1985

dress you up - uk

On December 14 1985, Dress You Up peaked at #5 on the UK singles chart.

It was Madonna’s eighth UK Top-5 hit of 1985:

  1. Like A Virgin  #3
  2. Material Girl  #3
  3. Crazy For You  #2
  4. Into The Groove  #1
  5. Holiday (re-release)  #2
  6. Angel  #5
  7. Gambler  #4
  8. Dress You Up  #5

Today in Madonna History: December 13, 1990

On December 13 1990, Madonna’s Blond Ambition World Tour Live was released exclusively on LaserDisc by the trek’s sponsor, Pioneer.

Recorded at the final show in Nice, France, the concert had originally aired as a live HBO special in the U.S.

The LaserDisc release would go on to win a Grammy award (Madonna’s first) for Best Music Video, Long Form in 1991.

Today in Madonna History: December 10, 1983

On December 10 1983, Madonna was featured on the back cover of Billboard magazine with the caption: “A Star Is Born!”

Very perceptive, Billboard! Bravo!

Today in Madonna History: December 9, 1989

On December 9 1989, Madonna was featured in a two-page spread in Billboard magazine, paid for by her record company and management, congratulating her on being named Artist of the Decade by Musician magazine.

Madonna’s September 1989 performance of Express Yourself at the MTV VMA’s perfectly encapsulates the sentiments expressed in the tribute. As her only live performance that year, it only hinted at Madonna’s next mission: to revolutionize the concert touring industry.

Today in Madonna History: November 25, 1987

On November 25 1987, The Look of Love was released as the third and final single from the Who’s That Girl soundtrack in Europe.

The Look Of Love was also released as a single in Japan in January, 1988.

Today in Madonna History: November 15, 2005

madonna-koko-2005-1-600madonna-koko-2005-3-600

On November 15 2005, Madonna performed an intimate club show for roughly 1,500 contest winners and guests at KOKO in London’s Camden Town district. The event was held to celebrate the release of her album, Confessions On A Dance Floor.

While roughly 200 fans queued overnight to secure a spot near the stage for the gig, fans around the world were able to enjoy a live stream of the performance online.

VIP guests in attendance included Sir Bob Geldof and his late daughter Peaches, Stella McCartney, Guy Ritchie and Pet Shop Boys’ Neil Tennant.

Madonna’s very first promotional concert in London was held at the same venue – then named Camden Palace – in October of 1983.

Setlist

  • Hung Up
  • Get Together
  • I Love New York
  • Let It Will Be
  • Everybody