Madonna’s career total has now surpassed $1.5 billion from over 15.1 million tickets sold. She’s the first woman in history to achieve this milestone (667 shows performed; @Madonna).
— Touring Data (@touringdata) July 19, 2020
Madonna and her ex-husband Guy Ritchie put their rocky past behind them as they reunited in London on Tuesday night.
The pair have rarely been pictured together since their famously bitter 2008 divorce, so the Madame X singer, 61, stunned onlookers when she and her film director ex, 51 – who didn’t appear to be following social distancing guidelines – were spotted mingling outside the Tanya Baxter Gallery on London’s King’s Road.
The former couple were accompanied by their partners at the event, with Madonna bringing along her toyboy boyfriend Ahlamalik Williams, 25, while Guy was joined by wife Jacqui Ainsley, 38.
Madonna and Guy have rarely been seen together since their eight-year marriage came to an end, but the pair have continued to co-parent their two children, Rocco, 19, and David, 14 – both of whom also attended the gallery event.
The group didn’t appear to stick to the government’s social distancing rules as they congregated closely outside without face masks, two months after the Hung Up singer claimed she tested positive for coronavirus antibodies.
Onlookers told The Daily Mail that writer Guy looked ‘strained’ when the Like A Prayer hitmaker arrived.
It’s not known whether they exchanged pleasantries but the meeting would only have been fleeting, as Madonna left after just half an hour.
An onlooker said: ‘Guy looked strained initially when she arrived and eased up after.
‘Madonna was only at the party for approximately 30 minutes before hopping into a black Range Rover with her boyfriend and Mercy.
‘Rocco went to say goodbye to her at the Range Rover door when she left. He then left with his father and Jackie shortly after.’
The family had been at the gallery to see an exhibition by young artist Rhed who is a new favourite among the wealthy art elite.
Guy married Madonna at Skibo Castle in Scotland in December 2002. The pair filed for divorce in October 2008, citing irreconcilable differences and the bitter split played out publicly.
The financial details of the former couple’s divorce settlement are not known.
In 2016, Madonna lost a custody battle over their eldest son Rocco after he said he wanted to stay with his father.
Madonna and Guy have had a famously strained relationship, and amid their war of words, Madonna branded Guy ’emotionally retarded’, while Guy claimed the singer was too interested in chasing fame.
The Mirror reported that Guy had told a friend ‘I’m afraid the laughs in our life together were long gone.’
The source continued: ‘He said to friends all he wanted was an ordinary family life, but Madonna preferred the trappings of a celebrity lifestyle, scuppering the idea they could ever live as a normal couple.
‘She’s obsessed with her own public image, obsessed with being seen as some kind of global soothsayer.’
Guy has moved on and has been in a relationship with model Jacqui since 2010, with the couple tying the knot in their country estate in July 2015. They share three children: Rafael, eight, Rivka, seven, and Levi, six.
Meanwhile, Madonna has been linked to many men since divorcing Guy, including Portuguese model Kevin Sampaio, Dutch choreographer Timor Steffens, and French dancer Brahim Zaibat.
She is now in a relationship with dancer Ahlamalik, the son of a US military veteran and dreams of ‘changing the world through art’, with the pair first seen together in December.
Since becoming a professional dancer, Ahlamalik has toured the world with Madonna, travelling around Europe, America and east Asia to perform on her roadshow.
The songwriter has a total of six kids; Lourdes Leon, 23, with ex Carlos Leon, Rocco and David with Guy, as well as her other adopted kids Mercy and twins Estere and Stella, seven.
Last year, Madonna and Guy had a mystery legal blow up right before Christmas, which was rumoured to involve their children.
DailyMail.com revealed Guy filed a motion in their divorce case asking for the ‘enforcement or execution of a judgment or order’.
The timing of the motion – which was filed on December 23 – suggested that there was a disagreement over where some of Madonna’s six children should spend Christmas.
Instagram’s posted by the singer over the festive period revealed that she spent Christmas in the Maldives with five of her boyfriend and children Lourdes, Estere, Stelle, Mercy James, and David, but not Rocco.
Madonna’s brood includes four adopted children.
In 2006, Madonna adopted David from the Home of Hope in Malawi as he battled pneumonia and malaria.
The award-winning songwriter previously admitted she struggled with the criticism she faced when adopting the little boy she was trying to save.
In an interview with PEOPLE, she said: ‘In my mind, I was thinking, ‘Wait a minute. I’m trying to save somebody’s life. Why are you all s****ing on me right now?’ I did everything by the book.’
David is a keen footballer and in August 2017, Madonna moved to Lisbon after David joined the Benfica football team youth academy.
Madonna adopted Mercy three years later, before choosing to legally care for twins Estere and and Stella in 2017.
More at Brinkwire
Furthermore, Iommi gave some details about the rehearsals and revealed a rarely-known story about the pop star Madonna:
“It was a bit of a disaster, really, to be honest. They had a room booked for us to rehearse. We started rehearsing and then we started talking about the old times; so most of the rehearsal was talking.
And the time when we did rehearse, it was a closed session, and it would be embarrassing really because I saw these two girls come in at the back of the room. And I said to one of our crew, ‘Look, there are people walking in,’ you know, ‘you better tell them to get out, this is a private rehearsal.’
Anyway, he goes up and tells them and it turns out to be Madonna. So it’s a bit embarrassing. But anyway, we had the rehearsal and then went back to the hotel.”
Read full article at Metalheadzone.com
Box Office:
Total Reported Gross: $51,361,008
Total Reported Attendance: 179,289
Average Gross: $684,813
Average Tickets Sold: 2,391
Average Ticket Price: $291.77
Reported Shows: 75 / 75
North America
Total Reported Gross: $33,460,611
Total Reported Attendance: 116,875
Average Ticket Price: $286.29
Reported Shows: 49 / 49
September 17-28, 2019: Howard Gilman Opera House, New York City (17,708 – $5,509,990) (9 shows)
October 1-12, 2019: Howard Gilman Opera House, New York City (13,693 – $4,121,768) (7 shows)
October 16-28,2019: Chicago Theatre, Chicago (23,233 – $5,517,435) (7 shows)
November 2-5, 2019: Golden Gate Theatre, San Francisco (6,744 – $1,945,333) (3 shows)
November 7-10, 2019: The Colosseum, Las Vegas (12,613 – $4,244,777) (3 shows)
November 13-25, 2019: Wiltern Theater, Los Angeles (17,941 – $5,874,394) (10 shows)
December 7-11, 2019: The Met, Philadelphia (11,604 – $2,519,172) (4 shows)
December 14-21, 2019: The Fillmore, Miami (13,339 – $3,727,742) (6 shows)
Europe
Total Reported Gross: $17,900,397
Total Reported Attendance: 62,414
Average Ticket Price: $286.80
Reported Shows: 26 / 26
January 12-23, 2020: Coliseu dos Recreios, Lisbon (15,493 – $2,930,802) (6 shows)
January 29-30, 2020: London Palladium, London (4,344 – $1,641,944) (2 shows)
February 1-16, 2020: London Palladium, London (21,658 – $8,174,436) (10 shows)
February 22-March 8, 2020: Le Grand Rex, Paris (20,919 – $5,153,215) (8 shows)
Source: touringdata
(Not to mention 16 shows were cancelled)
BURNSVILLE, Minn., July 14, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Asset Marketing Services is pleased to offer the Legends of Music Collection, a coin series featuring the portraits of some of the most iconic artists in music history. Known for his involvement in the record industry and artistic portrayals of famous personalities, American artist Sid Maurer’s passion for painting and music unite to create the stunning portraits displayed on the Legends of Music coin series. Music enthusiasts and collectors alike will appreciate the limited series, which features an assortment of the world’s top recording artists emblazoned on 1-ounce .999 fine silver coins.
Asset Marketing Services
Musicians immortalized on the coin art include:
Each celebrity portrait created by Sid Maurer carries a unique design with impeccable detail and selective colorization that resembles a miniature vinyl record. With only 10,000 pieces being produced per design, the opportunity to own a collectible coin from this beloved series may never come around again.
Each collectible coin resembling a vinyl record arrives housed in a “Sid Maurer’s Celebrity Icons©” box wrapped in a sleeve showcasing the celebrity icon depicted on the coin. Each coin is $5 legal tender backed by Solomon Islands and will include a Certificate of Authenticity with an “Official Licensed Product” hologram sticker to further ensure authenticity.
“We are thrilled to make this special collection available to both music enthusiasts and avid coin collectors. The artistry and skill used in crafting the Legends of Music Collection have resulted in a new way fans can celebrate their favorite musicians,” said Kelsey Knight, Director of Digital Marketing, Asset Marketing Services.
About Asset Marketing Services
Since 1984 Asset Marketing Services, LLC (AMS) has provided collectors, history buffs and others with ancient coins that range from those dating back more than 2,000 years to the latest three-dimensional works of modern coin art. The company is a leading provider of precious metal coins to collectors around the world. Asset Marketing Services provides unmatched customer service, product knowledge and a comprehensive product offering. The company’s foundation is built on its iCARE values of integrity, communication, accountability, respect and energy in its relationships with employees, customers, suppliers and stakeholders. Learn more at amsi-corp.com.
SOURCE Asset Marketing Services
Recently released is The Day I Was There featuring over 300 eyewitness accounts of seeing Madonna live, whether it’d be at a concert, promotional gig or spontaneous encounter, you can read it all in here.
It’s not just the fans writing about their experiences but also from a lot of people that worked with her. There’s a chronologic timeline of the compiled stories, reading from as far back as Seymour Stein signing her to the very recent Madame X Tour. Especially interesting are those eyewitness accounts from people that worked with her early on in her career, it paints such a great picture of the determination and the sheer confidence she had in herself.
Read press release below
Madonna – The Day I Was There features over 300 eyewitness accounts of seeing the ‘Queen of Pop’ live in concert, taking readers on a fan’s eye view through the career of one of the most charismatic, talented and much-loved artists in music. The book also features accounts from many people that worked with the singer including dancers, photographers and musicians.
This is a unique view of the Madonna story featuring a wealth of fascinating stories, memorabilia and photographs that have never been published before, making this book a unique portrait of one of the most influential musicians of the past four decades. From early shows in New York right through to the current Madame X Tour and everything in between.
This special limited edition hardback is numbered from 1-500 and signed by the author. We can also offer a personal dedication hand written in this book.
Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images
Madonna (Photo by Kevin Mazur Archive/WireImage)
Check out our LIVE AID page HERE
When activities co-ordinator Robert Speker, decided to recreate album covers with the residents at Sydmar Lodge in Mill Hill, he had no idea his photographs would go viral in hours and create a media frenzy.
Robert, 41, who has worked at the care home for five years was at work on Sunday when TV and radio stations started calling to ask him about the project which features the home’s Jewish residents replicating the cover poses of artists such as Madonna, Adele, Bruce Springsteen and Rag n Bone man.
Robert, who previously worked at Kisharon was featured in Jewish News when he took resident Shelia Solomons to see Rag n Bone Man and Shelia, who appears in the album collection as Rag n Bone Man complete with tattoos painted on by Robert and as bassist Paul Simonon in The Clash’s album London Calling.
Born and raised in Newcastle, Robert who has been working through lockdown, almost missed the birth of his third daughter, Olivia on June 25 when his wife Aya went into labour while he was at the care home taking the final shot of Hilda for the Blink 182 cover. “My wife is very, very understanding,” says Robert who is always coming up with new ways to entertain the residents.
“I have taken them to the Ritz for tea and I am thinking of ways to get them an outing to a casino. A few weeks ago I hosted a 100th birthday for a resident with her family on Zoom. It was wonderful but sad because she should have had the party she deserved.” With plans to come up with more ways to make the residents happy, Robert set up a go fund me page.
“I did the project to make them happy and I think the models’ families have enjoyed it, with even grandchildren posting about their grandparents, but the risks of Covid means they could be in lockdown for a long time and I want to make it a good time.”
Since posting the covers on Facebook, Robert has been contacted by news agencies across the globe and will appear on BBC News in the morning, CNN and Channel 5 tomorrow. “Then it’s back to Sydmar Lodge to think of ways to keep the residents uplifted.”
You can help support Sydmar Lodge HERE
View full article at Jewish News
Today is 8 years ago that Madonna wowed the huge crowd in Brussels for her MDNA Tour.
She rehearsed extensively in the presence of most of the crowd and continued to perform her show while it was raining heavily. The trooper she is, she pulled through but was given an umbrella during ‘Like a Virgin’.
We have added 45 new pictures of the show to our photo gallery, check them all out HERE
ose Xtravaganza, age 50, hometown — New York, choreographer, Vogue dancer, father of the house of Xtravaganza
About the beginning
My name is Jose Gutierrez, but everyone knows me as Jose Xtravaganza — father of Xtravaganza house.
I started dancing at the age of 11 and was lucky to win a grant from the New York government. I graduated from art school. I started dancing professionally, and the older I was, the more I traveled the world and danced.
My parents invested a lot in my creative development. I also watched various shows on TV and was inspired.
In primary school, I studied the art of ballet. In high school, I began to dance in various styles — modern and jazz. After the ballet, everything seems easy. Now my main focus is Vogue.
I remember the first competition I won. This was in 1986 for the documentary Paris On Fire. I was extremely happy about it.
About meeting Madonna
At that time, in the 90s, we went to one of the clubs in New York — Sound Factor. It was visited by many celebrities: Diana Ross and George Michael. It was a popular underground club. We went there with colleagues from the house of Xtravaganza. At that time, I knew an actress, and she said that I should meet Madonna and told her about me.
At that time, I knew an actress, and she said that I should meet Madonna and told her about me. Madonna asked me about Vogue and told me that she was writing a song about this dance, offered me to participate and be a choreographer for the music video. After Madonna found out I was a professional dancer, she took me on tour.
I worked with her from 1990 to 1995. She is skilled in dancing and learns quickly. Because in Vogue there are no such movements as in ballet. You just watch and do. She learned everything in two weeks.
Read full article at WE Project
In Northern Michigan, the last name Ciccone usually brings to mind a famous pop singer or a Suttons Bay winery. But in 2019, another Ciccone arrived to make his mark Up North.
Christopher Ciccone, younger brother of Madonna and son of Tony, proprietor of Ciccone Vineyards in Suttons Bay, comes to the Mitten with a diverse artistic background. He’s been a dancer for his sister, designed concert tour shows, shot music videos, written a book, and had art displayed around the world. But his passion for furniture and interior design are the cornerstones of his eclectic career, and what brought him to the Petoskey area this past year.
“Design is the one thing that I’ve kept doing since 1985, no matter what else I veer off to explore,” Ciccone says. “Working with clients crosses over the many platforms that I’ve worked in. I get to say, ‘Here’s what I can do for you. Let me help you fulfill your dream.’”
FAMILY BUSINESS
His start in the field was an untraditional one, and Ciccone admits to having “stumbled into” the profession during his 20s. He had been a painter for years, but had never tried his hand at decorating a space until he got a special request.
“It was actually Madonna who introduced me to interior design,” he explains. “She had just married Sean [Penn] and they had a two-bedroom apartment. She needed help buying some furniture, and there’s where my interest began for filling a space, designing a room, and working with a client.”
Although it was his first foray into design, Ciccone says, “I knew innately what would fit in a space because I could feel scale. And I understood colors — that was one of the first lessons I learned when I began painting. What colors work together, what’s pleasant. For example, you don’t paint a kitchen green. You just don’t.”
That apartment kicked off a career that took Ciccone all over the globe. He’s gone on to design NYC restaurants, Miami luxury condos, and even furniture for sitting presidents.
Over the years, he’s called New York, Miami, Paris, London, and L.A. home, and credits travel and living abroad for fueling his creative spirit.
“You can look at pictures of Paris or Venice or Rome. It’s an entirely different experience to be standing there in front of the real thing. I learned to take the time to see things and not just look at them. All of that informed me as a designer.”
Read full article at Northern Express
NEW YORK (July 9, 2020)—Today, the American Society of Magazine Editors (ASME) announced winners of the 2020 ASME Best Cover Contest, which honors magazine covers published between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2019, via a virtual presentation on YouTube hosted by ASME Executive Director Sid Holt. Now in its 14th year, covers are awarded in 10 categories. New York Magazine’s “Impeachment Season Begins” was named Cover of the Year. ASME Readers’ Choice Award went to Billboard for its “Blackpink Meets the Red, White and Blue” cover. This year, 120 judges were a part of the 2020 ASME Best Cover Contest process.
“The design, illustration, layouts and photography showcased by our winners this year is remarkable,” said Holt. “Every creative team represented should be proud of the work honored this year.”
see full list at ASME
For the completists among us, Dick Tracy soundtrack by Danny Elfman is now available on transparant blue vinyl.
Dick Tracy is an album with the original 1990 soundtrack for the movie of the same name. Danny Elfman’s music has an incredible intensity and atmosphere of jazz from the 1930s, especially referring to the music of composers such as George Gershwin.
LIMITED EDITION – edition as TRANSPARENT BLUE VINYL.
Track list:
1 Main Title 3:36
2 After The “Kid” 1:45
3 Crime Spree 1:54
4 Breathless’ Theme 2:14
5 Big Boy / Bad Boys 2:11
6 Tess’ Theme 1:13
7 Slimy D.A. 1:41
8 Breathless Comes On 2:53
9 Meet The Blank 1:43
10 The Story Unfolds 1:59
11 Blank Gets The Goods 2:25
12 Rooftops 2:01
13 Tess’ Theme – Reprise 1:16
14 The Chase 2:56
15 Showdown / Reunited 4:07
16 Finals 0:58
Welcome to Thirstory, where we whet your appetite with pages from the Interview archive that were almost too hot to print. This week, we untuck Herb Ritts’ iconic portfolio of Madonna featured in our June 1990 issue.
Three decades ago, Madonna embarked on the Blond Ambition World Tour, a traveling circus synonymous with its religious schtick, Jean Paul Gaultier cone bras, and being dubbed “one of the most satanic shows in the history of humanity” by Pope John Paul II.
A vixen on the Vatican’s blacklist, Madonna’s tour was steeped in so much controversy that by the time the Canadian leg began, the Toronto police threatened to arrest the singer if she feigned masturbation in the “Like A Virgin” number as she had in performances in previous cities. In true unapologetic fashion, Madge left the choreography untouched but luckily evaded criminal prosecution.
Talking to Glenn O’Brien during the tour, the Material Girl, then 32, admitted, “I do think someone is protecting me. I don’t know if it’s an angel. It could be the devil.” It turns out those guardians were Interview’s editors, who endorsed Madonna’s crotch-grabbing in all of its glory by featuring it front and center on the June 1990 issue (released mere days after she performed in Canada). In the cover portfolio by Herb Ritts, confidence perspires from the pages. As she poses in a men’s restroom, the pop icon is flanked by urinals, harnessing her sexuality in a way that eclipses the brazen erotica of the photos, exuding the power and prowess that epitomizes why she’s appeared on more Interview covers than any other person.
More at Interview
Since it’s been 8 years that we were lucky enough to attend one of the greatest gigs of all time at the Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam, our team member Dave shares his photo’s of the night with you.
We have added all 51 of them to our photo gallery of the night. Check out all the pictures of the final and second night of the MDNA Tour at the Ziggo Dome out HERE
A painting by the so-called diva of art deco, Polish artist Tamara de Lempicka, once owned by American pop diva Madonna is back on the international art market, via Australia. De Lempicka’s La couronne de fleurs II, a serene, intimate work of a veiled, Madonna-like figure crowned with a wreath of myrtle leaves, is being auctioned by Christie’s in a timed online sale that ends next Tuesday, with a low estimate of about $500,000.
Madonna is an ardent fan of the glamorous de Lempicka, whose work and style has influenced the singer’s own look and music videos, most notably 1990’s Vogue, which features the artist’s paintings in the opening scenes. La couronne de fleurs II was created around 1932, at the height of de Lempicka’s fame, and reworked by the artist some 20 years later.
The painting was last sold in Miami in December 2016, when Madonna donated it to a charity auction to raise funds for her non-profit organisation Raising Malawi. That’s where high-flying Byron Bay dealer Steven Nasteski picked it up for $US350,000. He’s selling, he says, because it’s now time to move on – and, no doubt, because he has his eye on the market.
De Lempicka’s star is resurging: she’s the subject of a musical headed for Broadway, and in February her Portrait of Marjorie Ferry, 1932, sold for £16.2 million ($29 million) at Christie’s London, beating a previous record for her work set only three months earlier at a Sotheby’s sale in New York.
More at afr.com
Mirwais’ ‘Production’ album will be released on pink vinyl on August 8. This includes ‘Paradise (Not For Me)’.
Pre-order HERE
Madonna mag dan 61 jaar zijn, dat weerhoudt haar er niet van naaktfoto’s te delen op social media. In het verleden kreeg de zangeres al eens kritiek over zich heen als ze weer eens haar kleren uit had getrokken voor een Instagram-post, maar ditmaal zijn de reacties laaiend enthousiast.
“Je bent een inspiratie voor vrouwen over de hele wereld”
De zangeres deelt op het platform een selfie van zichzelf met enkel een slipje aan, waarop haar borsten (amper) bedekt zijn door haar arm. Gehuld in het genoemde zwarte onderbroekje, een rits gouden armbanden en een trendy bucket hat spreekt ze haar fans toe. Haar volgers zijn vooral verwonderd door haar strakke lichaam. ‘Wauw, ze heeft een beter figuur dan menig vrouw’, klinkt het in de comments. ‘Je bent een inspiratie voor vrouwen over de hele wereld om te doen wat ze willen’, schrijft een ander.
For seasoned dancer and choreographer Jamal Sims, re-teaming with RuPaul — whom he affectionately calls “my Yoda” — to plot a Madonna-themed Drag Race musical was a religious experience.
“I just put on Madonna’s tracks and started dancing,” says Sims, who tells EW that, while preparing to thrust season 12’s cast of queens into the grueling song-and-dance challenge, he forewent classical modes of research and let the Holy Spirit of Madonna take over. “Whatever came out [I used].”
With a groovy schematic outlined almost entirely from Sims’ memories growing up watching Madonna on MTV, the 12-minute production (dubbed a “Rusical” in Ru’s queendom) still puts nine queens of varying skill levels — including Heidi N Closet, Jackie Cox, Jan, Gigi Goode, Jaida Essence Hall, Brita, Widow Von’Du, and Crystal Methyd — through an authentic wringer as they pitch-kick and slide through moves that immediately speak to some of the Material Girl’s most iconic body-talking stunts from the Blond Ambition Tour, the MDNA era, the “Papa Don’t Preach” music video, and more. And stuffing the Queen of Pop’s entire career into a bite-sized narrative was the easy part.
“I have an hour [to teach the queens] on camera, and then I have 45 minutes to an hour after, off-camera,” Sims admits. “Normally, something like this would require a week’s rehearsal. It’s intense.”
Below, just in time for Emmys voting, Sims breaks down how the epic Rusical came together in record time and shares exclusive, never-before-seen clips of the queens rehearsing their moves in the Drag Race studio after the main stage cameras switched off.
