Madonna Biography (1958-)

Madonna-the reigning Princess of Pop-is still going strong after nearly 30 years of unparalleled success.

Madonna: The Early Years

When Madonna Louise Ciccone was born in Bay City, Michigan, on August 16, 1958, no one ever suspected that this lucky star would go on to sell millions of records and have millions of eager fans flock to buy Madonna tickets worldwide. In high school, Madonna was a cheerleader and straight-A student. After obtaining a dance scholarship to the University of Michigan, Madonna left for New York after her sophomore year to pursue a career in dance. While working as a dancer for French disco artist, Patrick Hernandez on his 1979 world tour, Madonna began a relationship with Dan Gilroy. Madonna and Dan later formed the rock group The Breakfast Club, where Madonna played the drums and was lead singer.

Madonna: Madonna’s First Deal

Madonna’s demo recordings caught local attention in the New York dance scene. In 1982, Madonna signed her first deal with Sire Records, releasing her first pop single “Everybody.” The song achieved immediate radio success, reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Hot/Dance Club chart. “Burning Up,” which was released in 1983, also peaked at No. 3 on the same charts. Madonna’s debut album Madonna reached No.8 on the U.S. album charts.

Madonna: Rise to International Fame

As a rising international success, Madonna’s bleached hair, lace tops, fishnets, and pious jewelry were trendsetters for young girls. By 1984, Madonna had released her most famous pop song “Like a Virgin” which reached No.1 on the US, UK and German album charts. By 1985, Madonna was had already tested her luck in the film industry, making appearances in films “Vision Quest” – featuring the hits “Crazy for You” and “Gambler” – and “Desperately Seeking Susan.” The film introduced “Into the Groove,” which became her first No. 1 single in the UK, making Madonna an international household name and sent Madonna tickets flying out of the box office.

Madonna: The Virgin Tour

By the middle of 1985, Madonna fans were finding out that Madonna tickets were a hot commodity for Madonna’s  first top-selling concert tour, The Virgin Tour. At New York City’s Radio City Music Hall, all 17,162 Madonna tickets for The Virgin Tour concert sold in only 34 minutes! With the Beastie Boys as her supporting act, the tour grossed $17.8 million. Madonna’s album Like a Virgin is regarded by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as one of the “Definitive 200 Albums of All Time.”

Madonna: Madonna Makes a Deal

By 1989, Madonna signed an endorsement deal with Pepsi for a commercial that featured her single “Like a Prayer.” Although the commercial did not cause an uprising, the music video for “Like a Prayer” caused a media scandal in that it featured stigmata and burning crosses. Three years later, Madonna started her own multi-faceted entertainment company Maverick. It includes Maverick Records, Maverick Films, merchandising, book and music publishing departments. Madonna’s critically acclaimed SEX book was a product of this venture.

Madonna: Movie Star

Madonna starred in her 10th film, the erotic thriller Body of Evidence, followed by the film Dangerous Game in 1993. That same year, Madonna mounted her Girlie Show World tour in support of her 1992 album Erotica. After proclaiming that she would never tour again, fans did not hesitate to buy Madonna tickets for The Girlie Show World Tour. The tour grossed over $70 million and featured hit Madonna songs such as “Rain,” “Bad Girl” and “Erotica.”

1. In 1996, Madonna landed her biggest film role to date when she starred in the film adaptation of the famous Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Evita. Madonna starred as Eva Peron, the embattled first lady of Argentina. Madonna scored a hit with the Evita soundtrack’s first single “Don't Cry for Me, Argentina,” which peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Madonna: Still Going Strong

Rounding out the millennium, Madonna won three Grammys, one for best pop album for her studio album Ray of Light, which featured the smash hits “Frozen” and “Beautiful Stranger.” Madonna released her next album entitled Music in 2000, which debuted at No. 1 the US and UK album charts. That same year, Madonna added personal triumph to her list of successes. In December, Madonna married Guy Richie at Skibo Castle in Scotland. They have two children together: Rocco, born August 11, 2000, and their Malawian adopted son, David, in addition to Madonna’s daughter from a previous relationship, Lourdes, born October 14, 1996.

Madonna: Madonna’s Back and Better

On April 22, 2003, Madonna released her ninth studio album American Life to mixed reviews. The following year, Madonna had fans eagerly buying Madonna tickets for her 2004 Re-Invention World Tour. The tour grossed nearly $125 million – the highest revenue-earning tour of the year. In 2005, Madonna’s next album <em>Confessions on a Dance Floor</em> sold over 8 million copies – more than double that of her last album. The accompanying <em>Confessions</em> World Tour grossed over $190 million for Madonna. Over 1 million fans around the world bought Madonna tickets to hear the Material Girl perform her classic pop hits in addition to new singles “Hung Up” and “Jump.”

Madonna tickets for Madonna’s upcoming Sticky and Sweet world concert tour are selling out fast! The Sticky and Sweet world tour kicked off August 23, 2008, in Cardiff, Wales, and ends in Miami, Florida, on October 26, 2008. The Sticky and Sweet tour will feature songs from Madonna’s 11th studio album Hard Candy as well as some of her more popular songs. On April 12, 2008, “4 Minutes” featuring Justin Timberlake hit the airwaves making it Madonna’s first No. 1 single since “Music” eight years earlier.

Madonna: Greatest Hits/ Discography

“Material Girl” from the Like a Virgin album
“Angel” from the Like a Virgin album
“Over and Over” from the Like a Virgin album
“Into the Groove” from the Like a Virgin album
“Papa Don’t Preach” from the True Blue album
“Open Your Heart” from the True Blue album
“Live to Tell” from the True Blue album
“True Blue” from the True Blue album
“Like a Prayer” from the Like a Prayer album
“Express Yourself” from the Like a Prayer album
“Keep It Together” from the Like a Prayer album
“Cherish” from the Like a Prayer album
“Oh Father” from the Like a Prayer album
“Vogue” from the I’m Breathless album
“Something to Remember” from the I’m Breathless album
“Sooner or Later” from the I’m Breathless album
“Hanky Panky” from the I’m Breathless album
“Justify My Love” from the Immaculate Collection album
“This Used to be My Playground” from the Barcelona Gold album
“Erotica” from the Erotica album
“Rain” from the Erotica album
“Secret” from the Bedtime Stories album
“Take a Bow” from the Bedtime Stories album
“Bedtime Story” from the Bedtime Stories album
“Something to Remember” from the Something to Remember album
“You’ll See” from the Something to Remember album
“Frozen” from the Ray of Light album
“Beautiful Stranger” from the Ray of Light album
“Don’t Tell Me” from the Music album
“Gone” from the Music album
“Hollywood” from the American Life album
“Hung Up” from the Confessions on a Dance Floor album
“Get Together” from the Confessions on a Dance Floor album
“Jump” from the Confessions on a Dance Floor album
“4 Minutes” from the Hard Candy album