Today In Madonna History: March 30, 2001

On March 30 2001, Madonna’s Drowned World Tour was confirmed via this announcement:

For the first time in eight years since The Girlie Show, Madonna promises to take the stage live in a extensive international concert tour this summer. The exhilarating itinerary promises to take her in a series of shows in Europe beginning in June and all across America starting in July. The tour will be promoted by SFX. A complete schedule of these landmark events will be announced within weeks. Madonna is expected to perform material from her smash hit electrifying Cowboy Punk album Music as well as signature songs spanning the length of her incredible stunning career in a cutting edge concert setting that will continue the tradition of trend setting innovation that Madonna is famous and known for on the stage!

Today in Madonna History: February 9, 1995

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On February 9 1995, Madonna: The Girlie Show – Live Down Under video was certified gold for sales of 50,000 units in the USA.

Originally released on home video and laser disc in 1994, it later became Madonna’s first commercially available DVD – and one of the first concert DVD’s marketed by Warner-Reprise Video – when it was reissued in the format in 1997.

Today in Madonna History: November 15, 1993

On November 15 1993, Madonna’s Bye Bye Baby was released as the sixth and final single from the Erotica album. The single was released to coincide with the start of the Australian leg of The Girlie Show World Tour. In addition to Australia, Bye Bye Baby was also given a limited release in Germany and Japan.

Bye Bye Baby was written by Madonna, Shep Pettibone and Anthony Shimkin and was produced by Madonna and Shep.

Official remixes for Bye Bye Baby include:

  • N.Y. Hip Hop Mix – 3:51
  • California Hip Hop Jazzy – 3:43
  • Madonna’s Night On the Club – 5:16
  • Rick Does Madonna’s Dub – 6:20
  • House Mix – 3:50
  • Madonna Gets Hardcore – 4:24
  • Tallahassee Pop – 3:48

Today in Madonna History: September 26, 1993

On September 26 1993, Madonna appeared on the cover of The People (Britain’s TV Listing Magazine) with the headline: WHAT A SHOCKER! Madonna is back with a bang in sexiest show ever.

Here’s a ticket stub for the second sold-out Girlie Show held at Wembley Stadium.

Today in Madonna History: September 25, 1993

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On September 25 1993, Madonna’s The Girlie Show tour opened with 2 sold-out concerts at Wembley Stadium in London, England.  Over 144,000 fans attended the two shows in London.

The Girlie Show was launched in support of Madonna’s 1992 album, Erotica. The show had the central visual theme of a “sex circus”. Described as “a mixture of a rock concert, a fashion show, a carnival performance, a cabaret act and a burlesque show”, the show had a more complex stage than those from Madonna’s previous tours: it had a runway that led from the centre of the main stage to a minor stage, a revolving elevated platform in the middle of the main stage, balconies in the rear of the stage, and a giant illuminated Girlie Show sign above stage, among other features. The tour was directed by Madonna’s brother, Christopher Ciccone; costumes for the tour were designed by Italian fashion house Dolce & Gabbana.

Did you see The Girlie Show live in person? 

Today in Madonna History: June 29, 1993

 

On June 29 1993, ads ran in the Daily Variety & Hollywood Reporter announcing dancer auditions for an upcoming Madonna world tour:

Looking for 3 very special girls and a few good men.

Androgynous. Boyish girls between 5’4″-5’8″ with very short hair – that can dance well!

Men between 5’10”-6’2″ with versatility.

Classical training and street sensibility required!

Wednesday June 30th 12:30-5:30 pm, 3rd Street Dance Academy, 8115 3rd St, L.A., 90048

Today in Madonna History: November 20, 1993

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On November 20 1993, Madonna – Live Down Under: The Girlie Show was broadcast on HBO. Live Down Under was the channel’s most watched original program of the year.

The November 20 show was to be filmed at the Sydney Cricket Ground and aired on HBO, however, severe weather conditions forced the cancellation of the show, so the November 19 show (which had been taped at the same venue the night before as a “safety show”) was aired instead.

The broadcast included the following songs:

The Girlie Show Theme
Erotica
Fever
Vogue
Rain / Just My Imagination / Singing in the Rain
Express Yourself
Deeper and Deeper
Why’s It So Hard
The Beast Within
Like A Virgin
Bye Bye Baby
I’m Going Bananas
La Isla Bonita
Holiday
Justify My Love
Everybody is a Star / Everybody