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She started her long career studying with the choreographer Alvin Ailey and taking modelling jobs. In 1979 she moved to France where she joined a show featuring disco singer Patrick Hernandez. In France she met Dan Gilroy and on returning to America formed the club band "Breakfast Club", in which she sang and played drums. Later in 1980 she formed "Emmy", another band, with the drummer Steve Bray. However, with only little success she switched from dance scene music to pop music with the song "Holiday" which became an instant hit. |
Her raunchy image was certainly coming across to audiences and that was underlined with the hit "Like A Virgin". This song became the first of ten U.S. number 1's. After her wedding to actor Sean Penn (from whom she is now divorced) and her appearance at Live Aid she churned out a stream of hits.
1985-1987 was a particular high point with songs such as "Crazy For You", "Into The Groove", "Open Your Heart" and "La Isla Bonita", just to name but a few.
A lot of her songs, such as "Who's That Girl", are linked with films,some of which she starred in. Although the songs became hits the same cannot really be said of her acting career.
Throughout her career she has attracted controversy. With the hit record "Like A Prayer" she brought condemnation from the Vatican upon herself and also lost a sponsorship deal with Pepsi Cola because of the links between religion and eroticism.
| Despite this Madonna is renowned for being a shrewd business woman which was confirmed once again in 1992 when she signed a multi-million pound deal with Time-Warner. The deal enabled her to release books,films and albums from her own Maverick production company. Her books, such as "Sex" (which was sold out within hours) and "Bedtime Stories", proved bestsellers. |  |
In 1996 her wild revelations and outrageous books seemed to be a thing of the past as she starred in the famous movie portrayal of Eva Peron, "Evita". In the same year she became a mum when she gave birth to her daughter Lourdes Maria Ciccone Leon.
Recently she has appeared in a makeup advert on telly as well as having had a hit with "Beautiful Stranger", from the film 'The spy who shagged me'.
Controversial or not, Madonna still remains to be a predominant force in pop music.
Check out one of many good
homepages on her.
On the 9. 9. 99 Madonna collected an MTV Video Music award for the 'Best Video From A Film' ("Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me") for "Beautiful Stranger" and was also nominated for 3 other categories. During the show she presented the 'Best Video of the Year Award' (went to Lauryn Hill) together with Paul McCartney, to whom she complimented her admiration for.
Other great news is that 'The Video Collection: 92-99' will be released on the 5. 10. 99 on Warner Reprise home video. The collection will be available on DVD as well as VHS, features 14 songs. The tracks are as follows:
Bad Girl, Beautiful Stranger, Love Don't Live Here Anymore, Erotica, Ray Of Light, Fever, Rain, Take A Bow, Secret, Bedtime Story, Frozen, Drowned World/Substitute For Love, Nothing Really Matters and Human Nature.
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last updated: 21. 9. 99