Tag Archives: Michigan

Today in Madonna History: February 28, 2017

February 28, 2023 By in 2017, February Tags: , , , 1 Comment

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On February 28 2017, Bay City (Michigan) City Commissioner Christopher Gerard explained to WNEM.com why the signs welcoming visitors into Bay City still do not mention it being the birthplace of Madonna:

“We couldn’t get some commitments from Madonna’s folks and Madonna is a polarizing issue in town surprisingly enough.”

In 2014 the city agreed to update the signs to mention Bay City as Madonna’s birthplace, to both honor Madonna and create more tourism in the city.

Gerard said the city is committed to updating the signs if there is enough interest from the community.

This is a photo of one of the former homes of Madonna’s grandparents in Bay City:

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Bay City — make the signs! Every Madonna fan will want their photo taken with the signs. We guarantee you will see a spike in tourism! And Madonna was only kidding when she called you a “smelly little town” — she’s a clown at heart! — Jay

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Today in Madonna History: October 1, 2015

October 1, 2022 By in 2015, October Tags: , , , , , 1 Comment

On October 1 2015, Madonna shared a behind-the-scenes photo of her “quick-change” costume station in Detroit, during The Rebel Heart Tour.

Madonna’s caption for the photo:

“Quick Change in the Motor City! ………….Get Ready Detroit!”

Madonna performed for a sold-out crowd of 12,852 fans at the Joe Louis Arena.

Today in Madonna History: August 2, 2008

August 2, 2022 By in 2008, August Tags: , , , , 1 Comment

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On August 2 2008, Madonna and Nathan Rissman introduced their film, I Am Because We Are at the Traverse City Film Festival in Traverse City, Michigan.

The film was directed by Nathan Rissman, produced by Madonna and Angela Becker, written by Madonna, narrated by Madonna with music by Patrick Leonard.

The 86-minute film focuses on the effects of AIDS on orphaned children living in Malawi.

The event was co-founded by filmmaker, author and fellow Michigan native Michael Moore.  Moore told the audience that he was humbled to be able to call Madonna a friend:

“She has such an incredible heart and such a generous spirit, she does so much out of the glare of the lights to make the world a better place.”

Madonna was happy to present her film in her home state:

“It’s great bringing my movie to a place that I feel familiar.  Not like the Cannes Film Festival, where nobody’s speaking English, or the Tribeca Film Festival, where no one sits down.  There’s something poetic about coming back to the place where I used to come for holidays – camping trips with my dad and stepmother and my very large family.”

Today in Madonna History: January 11, 2016

January 11, 2022 By in 2016, January Tags: , , , 1 Comment

On January 11 2016, Madonna posted this message regarding David Bowie’s death on her social media channels:

I’m devastated. David Bowie changed the course of my life forever. I never felt like I fit in growing up in Michigan. Like an oddball or a freak. I went to see him in concert at Cobo Arena in Detroit. It was the first concert I’d ever been too. I snuck out of the house with my girlfriend wearing a cape. We got caught after and I was grounded for the summer. I didn’t care. I already had many of his records and was so inspired by the way he played with gender confusion. Was both masculine and feminine. Funny and serious. Clever and wise. His lyrics were witty ironic and mysterious. At the time he was the Thin White Duke and he had mime artists on stage with him and very specific choreography. And I saw how he created a persona and used different art forms within the arena of Rock and Roll to create entertainment. I found him so inspiring and innovative. Unique and provocative. A real genius. His music was always inspiring but seeing him live set me off on a journey that for me I hope will never end. His photographs are hanging all over my house today. He was so chic and beautiful and elegant. So ahead of his time. Thank you David Bowie. I owe you a lot. The world will miss you. Love M.”

David Bowie died of liver cancer at the age of 69 in New York on January 10, 2016.

Today in Madonna History: August 26, 2001

August 26, 2021 By in 2001, August Tags: , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

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On August 26 2001, Madonna Live! Drowned World Tour 2001 was broadcast live on HBO and The Movie Network in Canada from The Palace Of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, MI. It was seen by 5.7 million viewers – the network’s third highest rated prime-time concert special since 1997.

The broadcast marked the second time Madonna had selected her hometown as a location to record one of her shows, the first being The Virgin Tour home video/laserdisc release, filmed in 1985 at Cobo Arena in Detroit.

With the Drowned World Tour itinerary not including any dates in Canada, many Canadian fans who purchased tickets for one of the two shows in Detroit were pleasantly surprised when it was announced that the second show would be broadcast live in both countries. Madonna’s previous HBO specials for the Blond Ambition and Girlie Show tours did not receive a live broadcast in Canada, although the latter did air on MuchMusic at a later date.

Today in Madonna History: October 21, 1993

October 21, 2020 By in 1993, October Tags: , , , , 1 Comment

On October 21 1993, Madonna performed The Girlie Show for a sold-out crowd of 15,000 fans at The Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan.

Today in Madonna History: July 5, 1987

July 5, 2020 By in 1987, July Tags: , , , , , 2 Comments

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On July 5 1987,  Madonna was interviewed by Jane Pauley on NBC-TV’s Today and caused a controversy when she referred to her hometown of Bay City, Michigan as “a smelly little town” – a comment that enraged the citizens of Bay City.

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