Today in Madonna History: January 21, 2015

rebelheart-fbi-1

On January 21 2015, an undercover investigation by the Internet crime unit of Israel’s anti-fraud police resulted in the arrest of a Tel Aviv man suspected of hacking into Madonna’s home computer, stealing unreleased music and selling the tracks online.

The investigation began after a complaint by Madonna’s manager, Guy Oseary.  With the cooperation of the FBI, the hack was found to be larger in scale and involved more musicians than just Madonna.

An expert in Internet crime was sent to New York City to inspect Madonna’s computers, where he confirmed a hack originating in Israel. Police searched the suspect’s home, seizing computers and media storage devices.

Madonna had this to say about the Rebel Heart album leaks incident:

“I am profoundly grateful to the FBI, the Israeli Police investigators and anyone else who helped lead to the arrest of this hacker. I deeply appreciate my fans who have provided us with pertinent information and continue to do so regarding leaks of my music. Like any citizen, I have the right to privacy. This invasion into my life – creatively, professionally, and personally remains a deeply devastating and hurtful experience, as it must be for all artists who are victims of this type of crime.”

rebelheart-fbi-end

Today in Madonna History: October 4, 1993

girlie-show-tel-aviv

On October 4 1993, Madonna performed The Girlie Show in Israel, despite protests by Jewish groups to cancel her show.  The sold-out concert was performed at Hayarkon Park in Tel Aviv, in front of 80,000 adoring fans.

Today in Madonna History: September 3, 2009

madonna_sticky_and_sweet_tour-wide

On September 3 2009, Madonna’s Sticky And Sweet world tour was named the highest-grossing for a solo artist ever.

The tour, which finished in Tel Aviv on September 2 2009, made $408 million (£250m), according to promoters Live Nation. During the tour, Madonna played 85 shows, drawing in more than 3.5 million fans from 32 countries.

The Sticky And Sweet tour broke Madonna’s previous record for the most successful outing by a solo artist with her 2006 Confessions Tour, which grossed $194 million.

Today in Madonna History: September 1, 2009

On September 1 2009, the final Sticky & Sweet Tour date took place in Tel Aviv, Israel.

This is the official press release for the final show:

For Immediate Release:

Madonna’s triumphant and record shattering Sticky & Sweet Tour will be making its last and final stop September 1st in Tel Aviv, Israel at the Yehoshua Gardens (HaYarkon Park). Tickets will go on sale this Wednesday, June 3rd – complete details below.

“I’m very excited about returning to Israel for my last and final show. I know it will be unforgettable” commented Madonna who last performed in Israel in 1993.

The Sticky & Sweet Tour – a stunning extravaganza gives fans a breathtaking never before seen or heard once-in-a-lifetime experience. One of the top selling touring acts of all time, Madonna’s Sticky & Sweet tour played 58 cities last summer to wild critical acclaim and before over two and a half million adoring fans including sold out performances in Paris (80,000 tickets sold), Zurich (72,000 tickets sold), London (74,000 ticket sold), Vancouver (50,000 tickets sold), South America (650,000 tickets sold) and three sold out Madison Square Garden Shows in New York City.

“In the premiere league of song-and-dance spectaculars, the queen of pop remains unrivalled and undefeated” raved the London Times of Madonna’s show in England. Sticky & Sweet is scheduled to start up again in London’s 02 Arena on July 4th with additional dates in France, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Russia, Sweden and many other countries before finishing on September 1st in Tel Aviv. Madonna joined creative forces with director Jamie King to create Sticky & Sweet which includes a troupe of l7 dancers, a specially built stage, hundreds of costumes and cutting edge visual technology. A multi million platinum selling recording artist, world class entertainer, singer, producer, songwriter, visual revolutionary, children’s book author, film director, documentarian, cultural icon and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Madonna’s career continues to inspire her many fans around the world. She continues her unparalleled career which thankfully for her legion of fans shows no signs of slowing down.

Today in Madonna History: January 21, 2015

rebelheart-fbi-1

On January 21 2015, an undercover investigation by the Internet crime unit of Israel’s anti-fraud police resulted in the arrest of a Tel Aviv man suspected of hacking into Madonna’s home computer, stealing unreleased music and selling the tracks online.

The investigation began after a complaint by Madonna’s manager, Guy Oseary.  With the cooperation of the FBI, the hack was found to be larger in scale and involved more musicians than just Madonna.

An expert in Internet crime was sent to New York City to inspect Madonna’s computers, where he confirmed a hack originating in Israel. Police searched the suspect’s home, seizing computers and media storage devices.

Madonna had this to say about the Rebel Heart album leaks incident:

“I am profoundly grateful to the FBI, the Israeli Police investigators and anyone else who helped lead to the arrest of this hacker. I deeply appreciate my fans who have provided us with pertinent information and continue to do so regarding leaks of my music. Like any citizen, I have the right to privacy. This invasion into my life – creatively, professionally, and personally remains a deeply devastating and hurtful experience, as it must be for all artists who are victims of this type of crime.”

rebelheart-fbi-end

Today in Madonna History: October 4, 1993

girlie-show-tel-aviv

On October 4 1993, Madonna performed The Girlie Show in Israel, despite protests by Jewish groups to cancel her show.  The sold-out concert was performed at Hayarkon Park in Tel Aviv, in front of 80,000 adoring fans.

%d bloggers like this: