Madonna

Artist Image: Madonna
Attribution
Image Credit: David Kirouac (Flickr), CC BY-SA 3.0

Biography

Madonna (born Madonna Louise Ciccone; August 16, 1958) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, dancer and entrepreneur. She has sold more than 300 million records worldwide and is recognized as the world's top-selling female recording artist of all time by Guinness World Records. Considered to be one of the "25 Most Powerful Women of the Past Century" by Time for being an influential figure in contemporary music, she is known for continuously reinventing both her music and image, and for retaining a standard of autonomy within the recording industry. Critics have praised her diverse musical productions which have also served as a lightning rod for controversy. Born in Bay City, Michigan, Madonna moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983. She followed it with a series of albums that attained immense popularity by pushing the boundaries of lyrical content in mainstream popular music and imagery in her music videos, which became a fixture on MTV. Throughout her career, many of her songs have hit number one on the record charts, including "Like a Virgin", "Papa Don't Preach", "Like a Prayer", "Vogue", "Frozen", "Music", "Hung Up", and "4 Minutes". Although she received generally positive reviews for her role in Desperately Seeking Susan (1985), her later film appearances received mixed commentary. She received critical acclaim and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for Evita (1996), but has received harsh feedback for other performances. Her other ventures include: fashion design, writing children's books, and film directing and producing. She has been acclaimed as a businesswoman. In 1992, she founded entertainment company Maverick as a joint venture with Time Warner. In 2007, she signed an unprecedented US $120 million contract with Live Nation. According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), Madonna is the best-selling female rock artist of the 20th century and the second top-selling female artist in the United States, with 64 million certified albums. In 2008, Billboard magazine ranked her at number two, behind only The Beatles, on the Billboard Hot 100 All-Time Top Artists, making her the most successful solo artist in the history of the chart. She was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the same year. In 2012, she was crowned the "Greatest Woman In Music" by VH1.

Details

Item Name Item Details
Year Formed 1982
Number of Albums 39
Record Label Interscope Records
Website www.madonna.com
Wikipedia Madonna on Wikipedia
Social Networks

Trivia

What was Madonna's first Top Ten hit?

Borderline

...Madonna changed the trajectory of popular music not long after Borderline became her first Top Ten hit in 1984. Fusing postdisco dance with effervesce...
When did Borderline hit the charts?

1984

... popular music not long after Borderline became her first Top Ten hit in 1984 . Fusing postdisco dance with effervescent pop, Borderline seemed unexpec...
How long did Madonna's underground sound last?

decades

..., a trick that soon became her signature. Over a career that lasted for decades , Madonna ushered underground sounds into the mainstream, specializing ...
What genre did Madonna explore in 1994's Bedtime Stories?

modern R&B

...ade of stardom, she continued to take artistic risks; she delved into modern R&B for 1994's Bedtime Stories and electronica for 1998's Ray of Light. S...
Madonna delved into electronica for what 1994 show?

Bedtime Stories

...inued to take artistic risks; she delved into modern R&B for 1994's Bedtime Stories and electronica for 1998's Ray of Light. She moved from her native...
In what year was Bedtime Stories released?

1994

...om, she continued to take artistic risks; she delved into modern R&B for 1994 's Bedtime Stories and electronica for 1998's Ray of Light. She moved fro...
What genre was Ray of Light released in 1998?

electronica

...stic risks; she delved into modern R&B for 1994's Bedtime Stories and electronica for 1998's Ray of Light. She moved from her native Michigan to New Y...
In what city did she move to in 1977?

New York

...tronica for 1998's Ray of Light. She moved from her native Michigan to New York in 1977 with dreams of becoming a ballet dancer. She studied with chor...
Who did she study with?

Alvin Ailey

...th dreams of becoming a ballet dancer. She studied with choreographer Alvin Ailey and modeled. In 1979, she became part of the Patrick Hernandez Revue...
When did she join the Patrick Hernandez Revue?

1979

...allet dancer. She studied with choreographer Alvin Ailey and modeled. In 1979 , she became part of the Patrick Hernandez Revue, a disco outfit that had...
What was the name of the disco outfit in 1979?

Patrick Hernandez Revue

...rapher Alvin Ailey and modeled. In 1979, she became part of the Patrick Hernandez Revue , a disco outfit that had the hit Born to Be Alive. She travele...
What hit song did the Patrick Hernandez Revue have?

Born to Be Alive

...rt of the Patrick Hernandez Revue, a disco outfit that had the hit Born to Be Alive . She traveled to Paris with Hernandez, and it was there that she m...
Where did she meet Dan Gilroy?

Paris

...Revue, a disco outfit that had the hit Born to Be Alive. She traveled to Paris with Hernandez, and it was there that she met Dan Gilroy, who would soo...
What was the name of the popdance group that she and her boyfriend formed?

Breakfast Club

... there that she met Dan Gilroy, who would soon become her boyfriend. Upon returning to New York, the pair formed the Breakfast Club , a popdance group....
Madonna is often referred to as what?

the Queen of Pop

...Madonna, often addressed as the Queen of Pop , is one of the most popular international artists. She was born into a Catholic family and her mother was...
What did Madonna drop out of college to pursue?

a career in dancing

... an affinity towards dancing and dropped out of college to pursue a career in dancing . In a pursuit to chase her dream, she moved to New York. Life wa...
What odd jobs did she have to engage in in New York?

being a waitress and nude modelling

...e she had to engage in many odd jobs, which also included being a waitress and nude modelling . At the same time, she also carried on her dance trainin...
What did she continue her dance training and participate in?

bands

...he same time, she also carried on her dance training and participated in bands . Ever since the skilled performer has never looked back and has climbed...
Madonna has created many records and registered her name in what?

Guinness World Record

...ily. She has created many records and registered her name in the Guinness World Record . She has been regarded as a style icon and her some of her song...
Madonna relocating briefly to Paris as a member of what disco revue?

Patrick Hernandezs

... the late 1970s before relocating briefly to Paris as a member of Patrick Hernandezs disco revue. Returning to New York City, she performed with a num...
When was Holiday released?

1983

...rock groups before signing with Sire Records. Her first hit, Holiday, in 1983 , provided the blueprint for her later materialan upbeat dance club sound...
How many top ten hits did Madonna have in 1991?

21

...to exploit fully the potential of the music video. By 1991 she had scored 21 top ten hits in the United States and sold some 70 million albums interna...
How many albums did she sell internationally?

70 million

...991 she had scored 21 top ten hits in the United States and sold some 70 million albums internationally, generating 1.2 billion in sales. Her success ...
In what year did Madonna release Sex?

1992

...industry, but in terms of image she was a more ambivalent role model. In 1992 Madonna took her role as a sexual siren to its full extent when she publ...
What was the name of the softcore pornographic coffeetable book that Madonna released in 1992?

Sex

...nna took her role as a sexual siren to its full extent when she published Sex , a softcore pornographic coffeetable book featuring her in a variety of ...
What was the name of the film that she starred in in 1996?

Evita

...ety of erotic poses. She scored massive success in 1996 with the starring role in the film musical Evita . That year she also gave birth to a daughter....
In what year did she give birth to a daughter?

1996

...eaturing her in a variety of erotic poses. She scored massive success in 1996 with the starring role in the film musical Evita. That year she also gav...
Who passed Madonna's demo tapes to Sire Records in 1982?

Mark Kamins

... the films have usually had tepid, if any, success at the box office. Mark Kamins passed her demo tapes to Sire Records in early 1982 and the rest is ...
What decade was the Madonna boom decade?

1980s

...er demo tapes to Sire Records in early 1982 and the rest is history. The 1980s was Madonna's boom decade, and she dominated the music charts with a su...
Madonna dominated the music charts with a succession of what?

multimillionselling albums

...cade, and she dominated the music charts with a succession of multimillionselling albums , and her musical and fashion influence on young women was fel...
What movie was a cult hit with Rosanna Arquette?

Desperately Seeking Susan

...lt around the globe. However, she scored a minor cult hit with Desperately Seeking Susan (1985) starring alongside spunky Rosanna Arquette. The bigbud...
What movie had Madonna playing Breathless Mahoney flirting with Warren Beatty?

Dick Tracy

...rring alongside spunky Rosanna Arquette. The bigbudget and starfilled Dick Tracy (1990) had her playing bad girl Breathless Mahoney flirting with Warr...
What was the story about female baseball players during W.W.II?

A League of Their Own

...as much more entertaining alongside Tom Hanks and Geena Davis in A League of Their Own (1992), a story about female baseball players during W.W.II. Ho...
In what year was The Next Best Thing released?

2000

...returning to costar in the lukewarm romantic comedy The Next Best Thing ( 2000 ), followed by the painful Swept Away (2002). If those films weren't bad ...
In what James Bond movie was she portrayed as a vampish fencing instructor?

Die Another Day

...2002). If those films weren't bad enough, she was woefully miscast as a vampish fencing instructor in the James Bond adventure Die Another Day (2002)....
How many albums has Madonna shifted worldwide?

300 million

... with an estimated 500 million fortune. Madonna has shifted more than 300 million albums worldwide and won 273 awards, including Brits, Grammys and a ...
What is the estimated fortune of Madonna?

500 million

...biggestselling female recording artist of all time, with an estimated 500 million fortune. Madonna has shifted more than 300 million albums worldwide ...
How many awards did Madonna win?

273

...rtune. Madonna has shifted more than 300 million albums worldwide and won 273 awards, including Brits, Grammys and a Golden Globe. Born Madonna Louise...
When was Madonna born?

16 August 1958

...g Brits, Grammys and a Golden Globe. Born Madonna Louise Ciccone on 16 August 1958 , she is the eldest daughter of six children to Chrysler engineer To...
What was Tony Ciccones job?

Chrysler engineer

...e on 16 August 1958, she is the eldest daughter of six children to Chrysler engineer Tony Ciccone and his wife, Madonna Fortin. Madonnas mother died o...
Who was Tony Ciccone's wife?

Madonna Fortin

...ter of six children to Chrysler engineer Tony Ciccone and his wife, Madonna Fortin . Madonnas mother died of breast cancer in December 1963, aged 30. J...
When did Madonna's mother die?

December 1963

...d his wife, Madonna Fortin. Madonnas mother died of breast cancer in December 1963 , aged 30. Just five at the time, Madonna was devastated by her deat...
How old was Madonna at the time of her mother's death?

five

...n. Madonnas mother died of breast cancer in December 1963, aged 30. Just five at the time, Madonna was devastated by her death. Her authoritarian fath...
Who became Madonna's second wife?

Joan Gustafson

... a succession of housekeepers to care for his children, one of whom Joan Gustafson became his second wife. In early interviews, Madonna would prefix a...
What word did Madonna use to describe her stepmother?

wicked

...views, Madonna would prefix any mention of her stepmother with the word wicked because of her strict approach. Yet Christopher, the sibling closest to...
Who was the sibling closest to Madonna?

Christopher

...r stepmother with the word wicked because of her strict approach. Yet Christopher , the sibling closest to her and creative director on her tours, reve...
What is Madonna's real name?

Madonna Louise Ciccone

...mbiguation). For other uses, see Queen of Pop (disambiguation). Madonna Louise Ciccone (Loowees) (tʃɪˈkoʊni; Italian: tʃikˈkoːne; born August 16, 1958...
Madonna has been referred to as what?

Queen of Pop

...fluenced various other artists and has often been referred to as the Queen of Pop . Madonna is noted for her continual reinvention and versatility in m...
Madonna is noted for her continued reinvention and versatility in what areas?

music production, songwriting, and visual presentation

...or her continual reinvention and versatility in music production, songwriting, and visual presentation . She has pushed the boundaries of artistic expr...
What has Madonna push the boundaries of in mainstream music?

artistic expression

...riting, and visual presentation. She has pushed the boundaries of artistic expression in mainstream music, while maintaining control over every aspect...
What is the name of Madonna's academic subdiscipline?

Madonna studies

...turies. She has her own academic subdiscipline devoted to her named Madonna studies . Scholarly, reviews and literature works on her, made Madonna one ...
Madonna is noted for her cultural impact throughout what centuries?

20th and 21st

...zed figure, Madonna is also noted for her cultural impact throughout 20th and 21st centuries. She has her own academic subdiscipline devoted to her na...
What is the name of the American singer, dancer, and actress Madonna?

Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone

... Early life Born on August 16, 1958, in Bay City, Michigan, Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone was the third of six children in a Catholic family. Her fa...
What was the birthplace of Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone?

Bay City, Michigan

...film, and in music videos. Early life Born on August 16, 1958, in Bay City, Michigan , Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone was the third of six children in...
Where did Tony move the family to?

Pontiac, Michigan

... when Madonna was five years old. Tony Ciccone moved the family to Pontiac, Michigan , and he married one of the women hired to care for the Ciccone ho...
Who was Madonna's private ballet instructor?

Christopher Flynn

...ing, an activity she pursued under the direction and leadership of Christopher Flynn , her private ballet instructor. Madonna worked hard and played ha...
When did Madonna discover her love and talent for dancing?

As a teenager

... attention. Madonna acted in school plays in her early school years. As a teenager she discovered her love and talent for dancing, an activity she pur...
Madonna cared for her brothers and sisters and worked hard in what?

school

... easy by introducing her to the disco nightlife of Detroit, Michigan. Still, she cared for her younger brothers and sisters and worked hard in school ....
When did Madonna go solo?

1981

...Madonna is a pop music singer and actress who went solo in 1981 and became a sensation in the then maledominated 1980s music scene. By 1991, she had a...
What was Madonna's career?

pop music singer and actress

...Madonna is a pop music singer and actress who went solo in 1981 and became a sensation in the then maledominated 1980s music scene. By 1991, she had a...
Who named Madonna the world's wealthiest female musician?

Forbes

...n January 2008, she was named the world's wealthiest female musician by Forbes magazine. Early Life Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone was born in Bay Ci...
When did Tony and Madonna Fortin marry?

1955

...ollege, where he earned a degree in engineering. After their marriage in 1955 , the couple moved to Pontiac, Michigan, to be close to Tony's job as a d...
Madonna was the third of how many children?

six

...n three years later, during a visit with family in Bay City. The third of six children, Madonna learned early on how to handle her role as the middle ...
What is Madonna often referred to as?

The Queen of Pop

...stselling female artist of all time. Madonna, often referred to as The Queen of Pop , has had a profound influence on music culture. She has pursued an...
Madonna has pursued an independent approach to her career writing most of what?

her songs

... She has pursued an independent approach to her career writing most of her songs and constantly redefining her image. Her mother died of breast cancer...
When did Madonna's mother die of breast cancer?

when she was only five

...nstantly redefining her image. Her mother died of breast cancer when she was only five ; she was then brought up by her grandparents. Madonna was raise...
What religion was Madonna raised?

Roman Catholic

...; she was then brought up by her grandparents. Madonna was raised a Roman Catholic , though, from an early age, she displayed a rebellious streak. In 1...
When did she drop out of college?

1978

...tholic, though, from an early age, she displayed a rebellious streak. In 1978 , she dropped out of college and moved to New York, with very limited res...
What rock band did she temporarily join?

The Breakfast Club

..., with very limited resources. She temporarily joined a rock band The Breakfast Club and then tried to make a solo career. I wanted to be a big star. ...
What was Madonna's mother's death?

1963

...emale recording artist in history. Her mother died from breast cancer in 1963 . Although an excellent student, Madonna gained notoriety for her rebelli...
Madonna dropped out of college and relocated to what city in 1978?

New York City

...rebellious attitude. Madonna dropped out of college and relocated to New York City in 1978. Career and Musical Achievements: After working as a backup...
Who founded Sire Records?

Seymour Stein

...k when she secured a singles deal after meeting Sire Records founder Seymour Stein . She released her selftitled debut album in 1983, achieving moderat...
What tour broke several attendance records?

Whos That Girl World Tour

..., Whos That Girl, Like a Prayer, and Dick Tracy. Madonnas 1987 Whos That Girl World Tour broke several attendance records. Madonna earned a unique rep...
In what neighborhood of New York City is she most inspired by the hipster scene?

East Village

...rds. Madonna earned a unique reputation for her fashion sense, mostly inspired by the hipster scene in the East Village neighborhood of New York City....