Madonna

Young Madonna

Born in Rochester, Michigan as Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone, she was raised a Catholic in the late ‘50s/early 60’s. At the age of five, Madonna’s mother died of breast cancer. This has had a profound effect on both her personal and professional life. Madonna has spoken of her mother in many of her lyrics, interviews, etc. Apparantly, she was always a precocious daughter. However, she did very well in school and was quite popular; a cheerleader, in fact.

Madonna studied dance from a very young age and after graduating from Rochester Adams High School in 1976, she went on to the University of Michigan with a dance scholarship. Madonna didn’t stay in Michigan long, opting to move to New York in 1977. It was there that Madonna would become involved in various art communities. Although she may not have had specific dreams of becoming a great pop star, she knew she wanted to be famous.

Early Career - Music and More

Madonna worked as a model and dancer in New York. On tour with a dance troupe, she met Dan Gilroy and started a band called “The Breakfast Club”. Originally the band’s drummer, she would later become head singer. Hit by the singing bug, Madonna would go on to form various groups. She seemed to change groups as much as she did lovers, burning many bridges as she went. Many accounts attest to her ambition and willingness to stop at nothing to achieve fame. However, Madonna responds that she is merely a businesswoman and points out the double standard pertaining to men and women in show business.

In 1982, Sire Records signed Madonna for her first major contract. Her first single, “Everybody”, became a hit in dance clubs and she was soon making a name for herself as a pop singer. Her first album, entitled Madonna, was released a year later. Her song “Borderline” off the album reached the US Top Ten, as did the next sixteen singles released by Madonna. In just a few years, Madonna went from aspiring star to household name. She’s remained one ever since.

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Image

Although Madonna is a most prolific music producer and singer, it seems to always come second to her larger than life image. Feminists have both applauded and condemned her use of overt sexuality. Critics accuse her of selling her body for fame, but Madonna maintains that it is alright, as long as she is the one in control of the exploitation.

Always a creature of controversy, Madonna was steaming up the television screens with her music videos long before Britney Spears was even toddling. Most notable of her controversial material is her videos for “Like A Prayer”, “Justify My Love”, and the documentary Madonna: Truth or Dare. She really alarmed the public with her racy, explicit book Sex, which was released in the midst of a media firestorm. Many retailers refused to carry the book and when they did, it was released in silver foil, as to protect it from public view.

Madonna has changed her look countless ways over the years, earning a reputation for being a chameleon of sorts. Always a trendsetter, she is also notorious for her rigorous workout schedule. Madonna has even admitted in interviews that exercising is her addiction. In the 90’s, she became a great yoga advocate and sports a very trim figure, even in her 50’s.

Relationships

A serial dater for many years, Madonna has had numerous high profile relationships. Here is but an incomplete list of the famous men/women she has been linked to: Sean Penn (married), Warren Beatty, DJ John ‘Jellybean’ Benitez, Vanilla Ice, Dennis Rodman, John F. Kennedy Jr., Sandra Bernhard, Michael Jackson, Prince, Carlos Leon (father to her daughter, Lourdes)and Guy Ritchie (current husband and father to son, Rocco)

Madonna Albums

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Madonna (1983)
Like A Virgin (1984)
True Blue (1986)
Like A Prayer (1989)
The Immaculate Collection (1990)
Erotica (1994)
Bedtime Stories (1994)
Evita Soundtrack (1996)
Ray of Light (1989)
Music (2000)
American Life (2003)
Confessions On a Dance Floor (2005)