Madonna
Madonna Louise Ciccone, known simply as Madonna, is a multifaceted American singer, songwriter, and actress, widely recognized for her significant influence on music, fashion, and popular culture. Born in Detroit in 1958, she initially aspired to be a ballet dancer before transitioning to music in the early 1980s. Signing with Sire Records in 1982 propelled her to fame, with hit singles like "Holiday," "Like a Virgin," and "Material Girl," establishing her as a pop icon. Throughout her career, Madonna has released numerous successful albums, including "Ray of Light" and "Confessions on a Dance Floor," each showcasing her ability to evolve with musical trends.
Madonna's concerts are known for their elaborate productions and innovative artistry, while her music videos have set high standards in the industry. Additionally, she has made headlines for her outspoken views on various social issues, including sexuality and gender equity, which have sparked both admiration and controversy. Over the years, she has also ventured into acting, with roles in films like "Evita" and "A League of Their Own." By 2024, her career earnings were estimated at $1.2 billion, reflecting her status as one of the highest-grossing female performers in history. Madonna continues to captivate audiences, with her recent tours drawing millions of fans worldwide, solidifying her legacy as a cultural pioneer.
Madonna
American singer and songwriter
- Born: August 16, 1958
- Place of Birth: Bay City, Michigan
Madonna set stylistic trends in music and fashion, her concert tours are notable for their innovative production values and spectacle, and her elaborate music videos set precedents for the MTV era.
The Life
The third of eight children, Madonna Louise Ciccone (she later added Veronica as a second middle name) grew up in the suburbs of Detroit with parents Silvio “Tony” Ciccone and Madonna Louise Fortin. Her father was an engineer in the Chrysler factory, and her mother died from breast cancer at age thirty in 1963, when Madonna was still a child.
Madonna’s original ambition was to be a ballet dancer, which she pursued while attending Rochester Adams High School (where she was also a cheerleader and strong student). Though she continued her studies at the University of Michigan, she left following her sophomore year and moved to New York to pursue dance full time. She took a series of jobs—from working at a doughnut shop to posing as a nude model—while performing with various dance troupes.
The first big break came in 1979, when she landed a role in the Patrick Hernandez Revue, known primarily for its disco smash “Born to Be Alive.” After embarking on his tour (which included time in Paris), Madonna met musician Dan Gilroy, and they formed the rock band Breakfast Club. That band was short lived, leading her to form her next group, Emmy, in 1980. Emmy was successful in local clubs, and it interested representatives from record companies.
Madonna signed a contract with Sire Records in 1982, and she committed to building her career as a recording artist. In 1985, she married actor Sean Penn, though the relationship ended in divorce in 1989. Madonna dated actor Warren Beatty, rapper Vanilla Ice, and basketball player Dennis Rodman.
With personal trainer Carlos Leon, Madonna had her first child, Lourdes Maria Ciccone Leon, in 1996; the couple broke up the following year. Madonna’s second child, Rocco John Ritchie, was born in 2000, and she married the child’s father, filmmaker Guy Ritchie, later that year. In 2006, the couple adopted a baby from Malawi, and he was named David Banda Mwale Ciccone Ritchie. In 2008, Madonna and Ritchie divorced. That same year, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She adopted another child from Malawi, Mercy James, in 2009. Madonna follows the tenets of Kabbalah, which follows some of the spiritual traditions of Judaism.
The Music
Signing with Sire Records, a division of Warner Bros., gave Madonna the momentum to gain a national reputation. Her first two singles, “Everybody” and “Physical Attraction,” started moving up the dance charts late that year and into 1983 (to coincide with her self-titled debut). Her third track, “Holiday,” reached the Top 40, and its follow-up tracks, “Borderline” and “Lucky Star,” were in the Top 10 by 1984. Her next seventeen singles placed in the Top 10.
Like a Virgin. Like a Virgin was noted for its sexual innuendo in the title and its propulsive dance beats courtesy of Chic’s Nile Rodgers. The album also featured a string of smash singles, from “Material Girl” (backed by a glamorous music video filled with colorful costume changes) to the equally upbeat “Dress You Up” and “Into the Groove.”
True Blue. In 1985, Madonna appeared in the film Desperately Seeking Susan, a performance that helped sales for her third record, True Blue. It was liked by fans and critics alike, and the slow but stormy “Live to Tell” went to number one, followed by “Papa Don’t Preach.” (“Papa Don’t Preach” had a music video that featured Madonna playing a character who is breaking the news of an out-of-wedlock pregnancy to her father.) Her next film, Shanghai Surprise (1986), in which she costarred with her husband Penn, was poorly received. Following that trend was her film Who’s That Girl? (1987), although she went on a massive tour to support the soundtrack (known primarily for the hit “Causing a Commotion”). When the tour stopped in Italy, Pope John Paul II advised fans to boycott her concert because of its sexually suggestive material and its negative references to religion.
Like a Prayer. The artist took a much-needed break after the tour, releasing the remix project You Can Dance, and she focused on her impending divorce from Penn. In 1989, she released Like a Prayer, backed by an international tour. The project is best regarded for its title cut, with its provocative music video featuring burning crosses and an interracial kiss on a church altar. Undaunted by the outrage caused by the video, Madonna made Dick Tracy (1990), starring with Beatty, and she released the greatest-hits project, The Immaculate Collection. Between studio recordings, Madonna made the concert documentary Truth or Dare (1991), and she had a part in the film A League of Their Own (1992).
Sex and Erotica. In 1992, Madonna released the book Sex, showing several suggestive images of the entertainer posed with other celebrities. It was generally panned by book reviewers, but the accompanying compact disc, Erotica, with Madonna singing in a sensuous style, generated considerable interest. Some dedicated fans were less supportive of this project and its follow-up, Bedtime Stories, in 1994. In 1996, Madonna starred in the film Evita, and her nearly flawless portrayal of Eva Perón earned her a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy. Taking another creative turn, Madonna released a dance-oriented album in 1998, Ray of Light, which was followed by the electronic sounds of Music in 2000.
Major Works, 2000 to 2010. Madonna worked with her husband Ritchie on Swept Away (2002), which was not well received, and her album American Life, which included the singer rapping, was a critical disappointment. Returning to her dance roots of the early 1980s and the electronic style that made Ray of Light and Music popular, Madonna released Confessions on a Dance Floor (which featured the dance single “Hung Up,” known for its sample of ABBA’s “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!”). The project led to 2007’s The Confessions Tour DVD and compact disc, and it marked her return to worldwide popularity and commercial and critical success. In 2008, Madonna adopted a hip-hop beat in Hard Candy, which featured Justin Timberlake, Timbaland, and Pharrell Williams. She also directed two films, Filth and Wisdom (2008) and W.E. (2011).
Major Works, 2010 to 2024. She released her twelfth album, MDMA, in 2012, featuring Nicki Minaj, M.I.A. and Oliver Twizt, which was promoted at the Super Bowl XLVI halftime show. In 2015, her album Rebel Heart and its accompanying Rebel Heart Tour hit several top ten charts around the world. After moving to Portugal, Madonna released Madame X (2019), which became her ninth number-one album in the US. Her tour for the album spawned a 2021 concert film also called Madame X.
Musical Legacy
With her diverse blend of pop arrangements, dance beats, and ballads, Madonna has a reputation for being ahead of the trends and for setting the standards for other artists. Madonna presents her music in recordings as well as in the form of videos, with vivid story lines and lavish productions. With her experience in music videos, the singer utilized her dramatic talents in films, which have met with varying degrees of critical acclaim. Thriving on the concert stage, Madonna builds each tour with innovative, impressive, and unpredictable production values. Beyond the music, Madonna has set trends in fashion, popularizing over the years lace, bustiers, fishnet stockings, and jewelry (notoriously wearing a crucifix around her neck). Madonna has remained firm in her convictions, even though her outspoken views on sexuality, gender, ethnicity, and other matters have garnered her criticism. In 2024, Forbes estimated her career earnings at $1.2 billion. In 2024, to end her Celebration tour, Madonna played a free show at Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana Beach for 1.6 million people. The show marked the biggest live crowd of her career.
Principal Recordings
ALBUMS: Madonna, 1983; Like a Virgin, 1985; True Blue, 1986; Who’s That Girl?, 1987; You Can Dance, 1987; Like a Prayer, 1989; I’m Breathless, 1990; Erotica, 1992; Bedtime Stories, 1994; Something to Remember, 1995; Evita, 1996; Ray of Light, 1998; Music, 2000; American Life, 2003; Confessions on a Dance Floor, 2005; I’m Going to Tell You a Secret, 2006; Hard Candy, 2008; MDMA, 2012; Rebel Heart, 2015; Madame X, (2019).
Bibliography
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