Lil Nas X made quite a statement this past week with his latest music video for his new single “Montero (Call Me By Your Name),” in which he’s seen pole-dancing his way down to hell and giving the devil a lap dance. The artist has kept busy trolling conservatives across the twittersphere, sharing memes from fans and pushing out a load of Satan shoes into the world.
The outrage at Lil Nas X’s new offering sparks memories of other controversial music videos that got conservatives all riled up in their day. Here are the top 10 most controversial music videos.
1. Madonna, “Like A Prayer”
March 1989
Ahead of the album release of the same name, the video for “Like A Prayer” was pivotal for Madonna’s music career but spiked controversy among the Christian community for its sacrilegious imagery. With intimate visuals of Madonna kissing a Black saint figure as he came to life, her wild dancing in a field of burning crosses and her savior getting arrested after getting jumped by a group of white men, the music video tackles issues of racism, physical abuse and the artist’s experience with Catholicism. It’s no wonder the ambitious music video stirred a particular audience in the late 1980s.
In her book Madonna: An Intimate Biography, she said, “Like a Prayer is about the influence of Catholicism in my life and the passion it provokes in me. In these songs I’m dealing with specific issues that mean a lot to me. They’re about an assimilation of experiences I had in my life and my relationships.”
Before Madonna became British, she made an iconic potty-mouthed appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman, an infamous occasion that took place on this day in 1994.
The superstar wanders onto the set looking like the love child of a Hollywood golden era actress and a New York CBGB’s punk and greeted David by calling him “the man who has his finger on the pulse of total strangers”. Letterman, responding, said: “I’m only here because there isn’t a Knicks game, let’s not get excited.”
The pair then proceeded to talk about Madonna’s apparent love of basketball, but it quickly ran aground and ventured into the murky territory of ball games of a different kind. The diatribe of swearing and innuendo that followed was, in fairness, prompted by a pretty rogue and inappropriate comment from Letterman whereby he yelled, “Go kiss a guy in the audience!” stating that it would make his day.
We have received a ton of entries to our 15th anniversary giveaway of the Curtis Knapp lithograph. We were planning on announcing the winners this week, but thanks to some kind of virus we haven’t been able to get our hands on the right envelopes yet. Therefore we are extending the giveaway with one week.
Rusty Egan remixed Madonna’s first single “Everybody” for the UK market way back when but Madonna wasn’t pleased with the mix. Those versions can only be found on the UK 7″ and 12″ as well as on a Spanish vinyl sampler (see discography).
Someone just alerted me to the fact that Rusty Egan has remixed “Everybody” once again, he created this remix last year. Check it out below
Even more original nostalgic magazine articles and adverts of the ‘Like a Virgin” era scanned and added to the “Like a Virgin” page.
Early Dutch interviews from Veronica and Hitkrant magazines as well as old promotional adverts for the collectible official doorposters and a free Virgin Tour related book with Hitkrant subscription.
Check out this rare original press photo from Madonna rehearsing during the Who’s That Girl Tour in London. The press photo has a large info sheet on the back with the following details
LONDON: 17.8.87:PA: Madonna checks her sound.
Superstar Madonna sings into a microphone on stage at Wembley today as checks were made on her powerful sound system during preparations for her first London concert tomorrow. Officials at Wembley Stadium have warned the star, her musicians and sound engineers that the volume must not exceed 98 decibels following concern from local residents about noise levels.
Her new lingerie photos have divided opinion across the internet.
Love her or hate her, you can’t deny that Madonna is and always has been a stunningly beautiful woman. Meanwhile, she has also always been the centre of controversy with her bold looks and daring career moves. And that’s not looking to change anytime soon as she causes quite a stir with a series of lingerie shots on Instagram.
Madonna performing live in 2016 / Photo credit: Ron Elkman/SIPA USA/PA Images
Clad in what appears to be leather and lace underwear (and a cap), the Queen of Pop looked sensational in her Instagram shots (indeed, judging by his thirsty reply, Snoop Dogg thought so too).
“And Now For A Moment of Self Reflection”, she captioned the images, signing off under her latest moniker “Madame X”.
But all anybody seems to want to do is comment on the likelihood of the use of Photoshop on the images; a point that doesn’t get brought up nearly enough in comparison when a younger celebrity unveils nearly nude selfies, despite the fact that pretty much anyone who uses the platform to post model-esque shots uses a combination of filters and airbrushing.
So why is Madonna being especially derided for it? Because she’s no longer a 25-year-old and so she should be curled up in a armchair with a basket full of knitting not flashing her under garments to the world – at least, according to the tabloids.
News outlets didn’t hesitate to point out her age in their headlines; whether it’s meant as a low-key dig, or just surprise that she looks that good at her age, it only perpetuates the fact that we all still think of over 60s as doddery old grandmas when modern advice on healthy living, an ever shortening gap between the young and old minds (thank you, internet) and today’s generation of women refusing to conform to the standards of womanhood that a patriarchal society has been enforcing for centuries tells us that they really needn’t fit this stereotype anymore.
Madonna displays all the youth that she has always had, because that’s exactly how people should be. Nobody really loses that essence of youth and vitality from our young adulthood just because of how many years we’ve been alive or what our bodies look like. And yet society still feels uncomfortable watching women over 30 baring flesh or displaying any kind of sexuality.
Despite being a legend in her pop career, Madonna has experienced ridicule since the 90s. And while nothing has stopped her dressing exactly how she likes and making potentially controversial decisions, it’s about time we gave her a break. Older women are just as beautiful as younger women and, frankly, there’s no age limit on sexy.
The iconic singer took to Instagram on Sunday to post a series of revealing photos of herself dressed in a strappy bra, lace underwear and a motorcycle cap.
Staring sultrily at the camera, Madonna showed off that trademark exhibitionism fans know and love from the singer.
“And Now For A Moment of Self Reflection…………..Madame X,” she captioned the photo series, using a bright red “X” emoji.
Madonna’s steamy Instagrams racked up comments from a variety of fellow stars. “You’re so stunning,” actress Asia Argento commented, while Kelly Ripa and Gwendoline Christie chimed in with a series of fire emojis.
Madame X is the name of Madonna’s most recent studio album, which was released in 2019. She adopted the persona throughout her tour in 2019 and 2020. However, her schedule was cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In addition to the pandemic throwing a wrench in Madonna’s touring schedule, she also suffered a series of health issues in recent years. Calling herself a “broken doll held together with tape and glue,” the singer explained that she fell onstage last March and seriously injured her knee.
“It’s Hard for Madame X to admit that she is also a human being made of flesh and blood and she must rest for the next 3 days to insure [sic] full recovery for her knee,” Madonna said at the time, Good Morning America reported. “I am not a quitter. This hurts me more than you can imagine. It’s time to take those heels and fishnets off for a few days!”
After months of recuperation, it seems the singer is back to feeling her best. Last month, she shared a video on her Instagram showing her getting dressed in fishnet leggings, a black leather bustier gown and leather jacket for reshoots.
“Happy to be able to step into my costumes after 10 months on crutches, surgery and a host of other physical challenges and they fit! Phew!” she wrote.
Madonna devoted some time to “self reflection” on Sunday (March 28) while posing in lacy black lingerie and sharing her photos with fans.
“And Now For A Moment of Self Reflection…………..Madame X,” the pop star captioned the series of pictures, which she posted on social media.
Madonna, giving the camera a confident stare, showed off her lingerie look from various angles in the selfies she shared. She topped off her ensemble with a black cap adorned with a chain.
She toured in support of the album through March 2020, though she had to cancel the final two stops on the run due to coronavirus restrictions on public gatherings. A number of other scheduled concerts on the tour had previously been called off, the result of ongoing injuries the singer sustained.
The iconic singer took to Instagram on Sunday to post a series of revealing photos of herself dressed in a strappy bra, lace underwear and a motorcycle cap.
Staring sultrily at the camera, Madonna showed off that trademark exhibitionism fans know and love from the singer.
“And Now For A Moment of Self Reflection…………..Madame X,” she captioned the photo series, using a bright red “X” emoji.
Madonna’s steamy Instagrams racked up comments from a variety of fellow stars. “You’re so stunning,” actress Asia Argento commented, while Kelly Ripa and Gwendoline Christie chimed in with a series of fire emojis.
Back in 2014 we were blessed to be able to meet and interview Carlton Wilborn. It was an incredibly fun interview, in fact I think it’s the most fun I ever had doing any interview! This was originally posted on our website back in 2014, but certainly deserves a repost! The entire video of the interview you can watch by scrolling down. Carlton discusses life, his projects and of course Madonna!
After a nice introduction and a brief conversation about Carlton’s incredible cologne….
MU: So I’ve seen you act, are you planning on doing some more acting?
Carlton: Yes I have, yes I am. There is a play that I am about to do in Los Angeles, starring with Wayne Brady and it’s a three-person play, so I have to back in LA to start that. Then I have a feature film that I’m producing called ‘Breakout’, which is a piece that I wrote. So there are quite a few things that are starting
MU: Because I have seen you in NCIS and I have seen you as ‘Glenda’ (The Mentalist)
Carlton: (laughs)
MU: and I absolutely loved both, you were very convincing in NCIS I loved that, you should do a lot more acting
Carlton: thank you
MU: You have also written a book and received an award for it
Carlton: I did, yeah I got 2007 best autobiography by a company called USA Book News. It was a big deal. There were eight nominees under me so that was fantastic
MU: I read some reviews and people absolutely loved it, they thought it was a very courageous book
Carlton: oh great
MU: Did receiving the award motivate you to write more?
Carlton: It did well yes, a second book came out in 2011 it’s called ‘I am empowered’
MU: yes that is available on Amazon
Carlton: the first book and the confidence that I got from that, and the people telling me what they want to know, I got to put that into the second book. Now I do workshops off of them, it’s been good
MU: a lot of talents, a man of many talents
Carlton: thank you
MU: the other thing that I was wondering about, when you were rehearsing for the Blond Ambition Tour and The Girlie Show were there songs rehearsed that never made the final setlist? Do you remember?
Carlton: No….it depends on how early because we did have some songs in the first weeks of course that we thought were going to be part of the show, but I don’t know which songs were taken off
MU: I know why you don’t remember the songs, because you told me, you weren’t aware of most of her music
Carlton: I wasn’t…you know, I’ve respected her work but I had to do a bit of research once I got cast. And I am a bigger fan now (smiles)
MU: But you got to know her as a person
Carlton: yes
MU: she’s a very humble person, I think there was a very good connection between the two of you
Carlton: yeah definitely but I think part of it is a mutual respect there, I had already done things that she’d heard about and I think because I wasn’t a fan and didn’t take her too seriously, I think it was a comfort for her and yeah when you get to spend some time with her she is really a regular chick like you that just happens to have a big team of people that work for her and gets some extra dollars. She’s a normal girl just doing her thing
MU: from what I’ve seen between the two of you, you had quite a big role in The Girlie Show as well, you did The Beast Within a whole number which was amazing
Carlton: yes, I know (smiles)
MU: and Why’s It So Hard and Fever you were a big part of, if I name the songs you do know which ones I am talking about right?
Carlton: (laughs) haha absolutely
MU: But you were absolutely incredible, still are of course
Carlton: thank you
MU: I think you were a very big part of The Girlie Show, as well as Oh Father in the Blond Ambition Tour
Carlton: I loved doing Oh Father, I loved doing that number
MU: We watched Truth Or Dare (In Bed With Madonna) again last night, hilarious movie….
Carlton: (starts laughing)
MU: some quotes that I won’t repeat here….
Carlton: Oh good, smart of you (laughs)
MU: I might ask you privately sometime, but not here
MU: but there’s one thing that I am wondering about. Throughout the entire movie, you keep talking about boots, that you smell boots. Everyone is talking about boots.
Carlton: (looks confused and then it hits him) aaaaaaaahhhh……boots. Boots is another word for ‘big’ So that smells ‘boots’ means that smells ‘a lot’, that smells ‘too much’ that’s what ‘boots’ is. So boots is not a thing, it’s a descriptive.
MU: haha, that’s good because a lot of people were wondering about that. Why are they going on about boots?? (laughing) But what do you think about the infamous bed scene in Truth Or Dare
Carlton: What bed scene? What bed scene? I don’t know about a bed scene (smiling)
MU: oh come on Carlton, you do know!
Carlton: (laughing) the bed scene was one of those moments inside the documentary that we did not know about. So it wasn’t like ‘tomorrow we’re going to shoot this and that..’ no
MU: because it seems a bit scripted
Carlton: getting in bed with her was not something waking up that morning knowing that was going to happen. But there are several moments like that. And I was smelly and I didn’t shower so….forgive me
MU + Carlton: (laughing)
MU: you’re sweating and you smell!! (Madonna quote from Truth Or Dare)
Carlton: not now!! you said you liked what I smelled like
MU: yeah that’s true, I just told you that you smell wonderful
MU: how do you feel about the fact that people still speak to you and know you as THE Madonna dancer
Carlton: It’s incredible, I mean being here today. This mega event and the music and all of that. Someone just came up who flew here from Belgium specifically to meet me. It’s amazing to realize the impact that you get to have without you having to orchestrate or convincing someone to do something. It’s an honour you know. I mean I am basically here to do what I do which is my art and being creative and the fact that it leaves a lasting impact on anybody aside from the people that send me messages through Facebook and things like that. It’s an incredible honour. I am very grateful.
MU: it’s an honour for a lot of people to meet you, because a lot of people basically grew up with you. They saw Blond Ambition, Truth Or Dare, The Girlie Show. You Carlton has always been a big name among Madonna fans. You are one her greatest dancers and still are. That is how people look at you
Carlton: thank you
MU: were there any projects discussed to do with Madonna after The Girlie Show?
Carlton: I had a film project as I write a lot. So there was a script that we talked about for a while unfortunately it didn’t get to happen
MU: do you still speak to her?
Carlton: ehm…we have our special way of talking, yeah….
MU: special way of talking? ehm….well let me know about this
Carlton: (laughs) but it’s good though. She’s really good people I mean I think most people would be really excited to realize how human she is you know because her persona is a whole different thing. It has a lot of razzle dazzle about her. And I think that while a lot of people like that it also pushes you back a little bit. So I think that they would be really quite amazed that they can really just drop their shoulders and have a cheeseburger with her
MU: she does come across very differently when she’s with fans than when she’s with people that interview her
Carlton: well you guys can be tricky we gotta watch out for you…..aaaah but you’re being very friendly that’s true. But one never knows the bag of tricks that come out
MU: is there one funny thing you can tell about her, something that people don’t know. Without really giving anything away, just the one thing that is fun to know
Carlton: gosh there’s several. She did an interview with David Letterman and there was an inside joke between us and her on the show….Vicks Vaporub that’s all I will say. That’s all I’m saying, so you can go and look at that and figure it out
MU: well thank you for the cryptic message
Carlton: (laughs)
MU: the thing that struck me about you is on TV you are such a big beautiful man and then when I met you
Carlton: you thought I was ugly…
MU: haha no, that you were much smaller in person than I expected, when you’re on stage with Madonna you seem huge next to her (she’s small)
Carlton: She’s 5’5 and I’m 6’2 so there’s quite a difference
MU: I was impressed when I first met you, friendly, generous, beautiful
Carlton: the reality is people in my world, it’s a great life that we have. We get to travel the world, meet people and leave an impact on people. Why be ugly? Why not be kind to people? I’ve been given such an incredible life and gift from my own opportunity it would be blasphemy to not continue to spread goodness on to somebody else, pass the baton. If it’s given to you, give it to somebody else. It’s a fun world, it’s fun
MU: like what we spoke about yesterday, when you want something you speak it out loud and then it might get to you, but you do have to work for it
Carlton: absolutely! yeah…like Christian Bale (inside joke)
MU: yeah, send him to me
Carlton: I might hook you up but you gotta fly to LA
MU: if I can stay with you, I will
Carlton: you can stay with me
MU: in the same bed?
Carlton: (laughs) see what happens? See what happens? This is why people like Madonna get nervous when they do interviews. It’s all good!!
MU: you just make me feel at ease…that’s it
Carlton: (laughs) thank you for that, so great to finally get to meet you and doing this and the lunch yesterday
Like a Virgin the single and the album were heavily promoted in the media….there are tons of promotional adverts around to collect.
We already have various promotional adverts for the single and album from Australia, Spain, Thailand, The Netherlands and the UK online but have now added five adverts from the USA and Japan respectively.
Check them out under ‘adverts’ in our Like a Virgin page. There are a lot more coming!
We are currently updating and restyling our Like a Virgin page with new press articles and promotional adverts. Gradually we are making our way through Madonna’s discography sorting the press articles in order of publication dates. We have many articles posted without a source or date but we are working hard trying to get the right source and date for each article posted.
We have just added new scans from mainly Dutch articles from the Like a Virgin era. It is going to take a while before we get everything online what we have in our archives, but we are trying!
Check out the articles at the Like a Virgin page in the ‘press’ section
The 80s in pop music is considered the decade of superstars and the pop year 1985 is the pinnacle of that. Leo Blokhuis takes us back to the year in which Bruce Springsteen, Prince and Madonna dominate the charts. In addition, there is Band Aid, Live Aid and USA for Africa and Mick Jagger and David Bowie are number 1 with their version of the Motown hit Dancing in the street.
Date Tue April 6, 2021 Time 23:15 to 00:30 Transmitter NPO 2 extra
Fred, one of our team members, was lucky to be an extra in Madonna’s film W./E. Please read below a Q&A with Fred on this experience. All the pictures shown here are his and are not to be used without permission. Scroll down to view the full photo gallery.
How did you find out about the casting for W./E.?
It was a little different from the usual casting experience, this is what we call a “cast off” for people that just exist in some database. I already had experience starring in several dozen films. In the greatest secrecy one agency was responsible for organizing a casting for a period film shot in the south of France (very few details were available). A friend of mine that was in touch with this agency, heard about this project and luckily immediately thought of me
Were you invited to a screening? Where did you need to travel to for this?
Unfortunately as an extra you never get an invitation for any type of screening, this is in no way specific to this project
Did Madonna do the casting herself or were there other people choosing the ‘extra’s’ for the scenes?
A team was commissioned to conduct a pre-selection, but it is madonna herself who finalizes every aspect of the film, including the extra’s. I sent some pictures of myself wearing a suit, a shirtless one and a full body shot. A month before filming started the agency that pre-selected me, said that a validation by Madonna was necessary. I only received this confirmation one day prior to the shoot, that I was indeed going to be a part of it (the day before my birthday, one of the greatest gifts I ever had in my life as a fan, can you imagine?) I can confirm it is indeed Madonna that manages every detail, this is not a myth
Of course you had to sign an agreement, were there any specific things about this that you remember? Things to do or things you were forbidden to do or say?
Of course I signed a contract, I think that today, without revealing any secrets I can discuss some anecdotes. One of the most frustrating details, but obviously is also most understandable was that we could not in any case have a camera, mobile phone or any other media to photograph or record our work. Moreover, it was forbidden to ask for an autograph, so that madonna was able to concentrate on her work, which is very understandable!
Now I heard Madonna only wanted to be called either M or Madame on set, did people follow these rules?
Everyone followed this request… Most people rather called her M
Was there any time when Madonna was still approached by an ‘extra’ or other people from the set for autographs or such? if so, how did she respond?
As I said we had to be very professional on set. The first day that we were in Cannes, which is a private property, this was shielded from people passing by. The second day we were in the port of Villefranche-sur-Mer and there it was crazy! Everyone wanted to see Madonna, people were hanging out of their windows and Paparazzi was everywhere, however a security service and the police kept the curious bystanders away
Madonna gave instructions to Nathan Rissman. She knew exactly what she wanted, and we did not hestitate to do it again and again until the desired result. She managed the entire process and knew how to motivate her troops! Several times she encouraged us to do better, to give the best of ourselves to the scene to be successful. She has the power of a general!
Did Madonna herself make sure you were dressed OK for the scene? Did she check out your outfit?
Before shooting, there was a first day reserved for a fitting. She took care to deal with each of the costumes, extra’s were no exception to the rule. It goes even further, because beyond the costumes, she also inspects the hairstyles, attitude and appearance. In my case I had to try two different outfits, there were polaroids made to see who would wear what and how it looked. She wants everything to be perfect. I think this is a great quality because it seemed such a big project
Did you yourself speak to Madonna while on set?
You do not talk to Madonna, she speaks to you. I said it like a joke, but it’s true, what would you want to say? We’re here to work and not to bother her. All the communication is professional if she has something to tell you or ask you, not to worry she will. It is for you and you reply, you try to act most natural around her. She is incredibly polite and greets everyone personally (I can tell you that she is unique in this, many directors aren’t like this!) Do not forget that she has a great sense of humor
What was your role in the film? Where in the film can we see you?
I was the guardian of the property of Aix en Provence when Wallis arrives in the south. I was also in the crowd when Wallis & Edward arrived at the port of Portofino. This is more than a cameo. When turning you never know what will be kept and what won’t. The experience is one I cherish
How many days did you spent filming?
The shooting lasted for two days, but I spent three days there. The first day was devoted to costume fittings, a hangar was built in “Studios Riviera” Nice. There were tons of costumes for each of extras and accessories. Everyone needed to be dressed in their costume so that staff and Madonna can confirm the selection. The first day of shooting took place in Cannes at the Villa Domergue. It was a very special day for being in committee (thirty people, technicians included) and completely away from the city, the atmosphere was quite relaxed. The next day when shooting in Villefranche-Sur-Mer, there were a hundred extras, plus the technical team as well as bystanders and the press
Your opinion of Madonna as a director?
I must admit that I was impressed by her involvement. She delegates a lot, but still, she sees everything, she manages everything and it is impressive to be so professional and seemed so relaxed at the same time!
Your opinion of the final film W./E.?
I was pleasantly surprised, because I had not been completely convinced by “filth and wisdom”… When I read the idea behind this extraordinary story I really wondered how this would turn out. Finally we get a stunning movie, mastered from beginning to end worthy of the great director she is after just two films is amazing. Her master of emotions and how to transfer it to the big screen is simply impressive!
Any peculiar/little/special/funny things you remember and want to share?
Yes, something amusing during the first verification of costumes, she was approaching and we looked for a long time, for validation of the details. Then when she went away, my neighbor asked me: “Who just spoke to us?” I answered him: “Are you kidding me?” Him: “No, why?” Me: “Well it was just Madonna!” He was shocked because he thought that she would be much bigger! I told him you were expecting to see the Madonna that you see in the music videos, but today you saw M the director….! During our afternoon at “Villa Domergue”, I enjoyed the human side of Madonna, so unexpected, intimate and relaxed. When we were in the lunch break she even did some yoga poses. It was so unexpected and yet so natural as this is one of those moments where I felt really privileged. I must say that as a fan, and also as a man, I was filled with incredible memories, she truly inspires me and I have so much respect for her
Do you encourage Madonna to direct more movies? And will you try and be in it again?
Definitely she must continue on this path … But given the time necessary to undertake such a project it will have to put her musical career aside, and I must admit that I find her more talented (if possible) on stage! Of course I would be totally thrilled to once again be able to experience this again, even though this is probably a dream!
Thank you to the hundreds of fans who participated in our second giveaway in relation to our 15th anniversary celebration!
The second giveaway package donated by Lucky Records has been won by Marjolein Heijen, who has been notified by email.
The third giveaway is something entirely different:
Ten years ago our team member Fred published the book ‘A Portrait of M’in collaboration with photographer Curtis Knapp who shot Madonna’s first ever cover for ISLAND magazine in 1983. The book sold out quickly and has been out of print ever since.
A Portrait of M included a stunning lithograph of the infamous Madonna photo used on the cover of ISLAND magazine in October 1983. The lithograph has PROMO stamped on the back.
We have a few of these lithographs to send out thanks to our own Fred!
Our team member Fred visited photographer Xavier Martin back in April 2013 for an exclusive interview. Xavier Martin was invited to photograph Madonna on the set of the “True Blue” music video.
He took some legendary photographs of Madonna and got to experience what it was like working with her.
All the photographs of Madonna by Xavier Martin are published here with permission.
-What was your first attraction when it comes to photography ?
It came naturally to me! My father offered a camera to me when I was 12 years old, consequently I started to photograph my family and my friends. I immediately understood that it was what I would like to do later. I had a friend who worked at a photo studio, I accompanied him whenever possible, I learned so much from him. I went to Grace Kelly’s residence and I photographed her while walking her dogs in the streets of Paris (with her permission), this was the moment that started my career. Agency SIPA Press started to diffuse my pictures, I had become a professional photographer! It was just a passion of mine starting out I never thought it would turn commercially
–How did you find your style of photographing?
Initially, I thought I would do fashion photo’s. I love clean monochrome photo’s, natural things. I found my style through hard work but nothing is set in this business as it is always evolving
-Did you have a role model?
Of course, I especially admired David Bailey, fashion photographer for the magazine English “Vogue” in 60’s/70’s
-With your career dating back to the beginning of the 70’s (Caroline de Monaco, Jacky Kennedy, Jean Paul Belmondo,…) can we say that you were one of the first French ‘paparrazi’?
It’s true that it could be compared to the work of paparazzi, but you must know that at the time the photographs were done in agreement with the celebrity
-You seem to appreciate “improvised” photoshoots (Robert Mitchum 1984, Alvin Ailey 1986, Helmut Berger 1987) is this your trademark?
In fact, what I love above all is the spontaneity! And it’s also a question of synergy, I like to bring my subject to give the best of himself and reveal radiance
-Was there a certain someone/a celebrity that you always wanted to photograph but never got to?
Oh yes, of course … I regret not being able to shoot John Wayne before his death, he was one of my dreams. In music, my biggest regret is without a doubt Michael Jackson, I do not know why there has never been a way to organize this. I would have loved to shoot the Neverland. That would have been absolutely incredible!
-Were you invited to photograph Madonna?
My agent and me thought that it was time that a magazine such as Paris Match needed to dedicate an article to Madonna. We made an exclusive deal for the cover and a 6-page article
-Was Madonna in charge of the way she wanted to be photographed?
It was Liz Rosenberg who was responsible for all the promotion related to her at that time. We proposed to shoot her during the filming of her “True Blue” music video
-Could you tell us more about how it happened?
We left at the beginning of September in 1986 to spend one week in New York City. Filming took place in the suburbs in a large hangar safe. We had unlimited access to the studio every day during filming
-How was your first meeting?
Liz introduced us, she was a very young mid-Western girl with an accent and chewing gum in her mouth… She greeted us warmly, we offered her a small gift we had brought from France (Chanel perfume.) She thanked us and we started to work
-Did she have any specific instructions?
To be honest, there was no instruction from her. She’s very generous and when she agrees she gives 200%. We were being very discrete because the primary goal was the realization of the music video… We had to stay low and out of the way in order not to obstruct the filming process
But she liked the idea that a photographer was constantly there, she posed as soon as she had the opportunity
-Did Madonna wanted to have the final say in which pictures were approved and which had to be deleted?
Once past security (two big fellows stationed outside the hangar door) we were a part of the team! She put her confidence in us and never tried to tell us what to do. I had full responsibility for managing all of my pictures
-How was the interview?
Very easy-going. She sat down with us in a corner of the studio and gave us the time to answer all of our questions. It was my agent (Denis Taranto) who conducted the interview
-Were there several accredited photographers?
In 1986, there were rarely accredited photographers to shoot behind the scenes of a music video. Especially if we take into account the technical constraints (using the existing hardware in decor and lighting terms.) This photoshoot could not be considered a photo session like classic promotion. Nevertheless, these limits ultimately became an advantage because I was the only photographer hired!
-Did you speak to Madonna? if so, any witty remarks or anything interesting you remember and like to share?
I remember she was very involved in everything…She directed the three dancers and regularly gave them advice for positions and movements, she was particularly attentive to the choreography. She did not hesitate to give her opinion to James Foley (director of the video) she viewed each take with him and even checked the location of the camera’s…
I also remember a day a person in charge of Warner Music France came to the set to give her a Gold Record Award. The album “True Blue” had sold over 100.000 copies in our country in the first week of its release!
(Ndlr : Today the album has surpassed 1.5 million copies in France and 25 million worldwide.)
-Were your pictures ever used for publication?
Not really, I distributed my pictures via professional agencies, they manage the rights. As a result I know that they were sold worldwide (Germany, England, United States, Japan,…) but do not know specifically where in the media they were used…
-Have you worked with Madonna again? Would you like to?
Unfortunately I never worked with her again after this experience. I must say that we had a discussion with Paris Match because we had promised a Madonna cover (+ 6 pages) and they changed their cover at the last minute with a photo of Caroline of Monaco! In addition, our article went from six to four pages… Liz then informed us that she wasn’t happy about that.
From here it was really difficult to organize another shoot with Madonna. It’s a shame because I would have liked to do a completely different photo shoot, much more intimate. At home for example, or a series in the studio
-Are there any other shots you thought would be interesting to publish of this shoot?
Oh yes … There are over two-hundred photo’s of this session (he shows me the negatives) and there are no bad shots at all! She’s always perfect in the pictures and sometimes funny and spontaneous, there is a certain spontaneity that I like in this session
-Since almost two years there’s an exhibition dedicated to the first photography sessions of Madonna (“Madonna: In transformational Exhibition”). Is this something you would like to pursue too with other photographers or do you prefer to showcase your own work only?
Of course, this kind of project could be considered. But I also like to present all of my work as I did during the exhibition in the private rooms of the Centre Barclays Premier Avenue George V, Paris (March 2012).
I was presenting the most iconic shots of my career, including the Serge Gainsbourg bathtub pic. There was of course also a picture of my Madonna set included…
I would like to thank Mr. Xavier Martin very warmly for having opened his studio doors to me, for his time and his kindness but also for agreeing to share his archives with me.
Under The Covers will be re-released on May 7 on coloured and regular vinyl. What sets this obvious unofficial release apart from the ususal Who’s That Girl Tour, Blond Ambition or Girlie Show releases is that it includes live tracks that have not been released on any format before.
Side A : Je T’aime (Moi Non Plus) / Nothing Compares 2 U/Purple Rain / Between The Bars / Toxic Side B : Rebel / Everybody Is A Star / Take On Me/La Bamba / Billie Jean/Like A Virgin / Imagine / Hallelujah Side C : Send In The Clowns / Lament / You Must Love Me/Don’t Cry For Me Argentina / Can’t Get You Out Of My Head / Redemption Song Side D : Fever / The Lady Is A Tramp / La Vie En Rose / I Got You Babe / The Girl From Ipanema
These are all live recordings and the quality is good. This is the first time this will be released on vinyl.
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