More Madonna Information

In 1977, Madonna Louise Ciccone's -- interesting trivia: her last name, Ciccone, is very close to the insulting Italian word for 'fat man' (ciccione) -- career began in New York City with noted choreographer Alvin Ailey. After two years of dancing and modeling jobs, she moved to France briefly only to return forming the band Breakfast Club (serving double duty as drummer and vocalist). By 1980, Madonna and former boyfriend Steve Bray were mixing club tracks, setting up house with new band Emmy and attracting attention from recording giant Sire Records. NYC DJ Mark Kamins lent his talents in producing the single "Everybody", a US club hit in 1982. The following year saw the launch into US/Europe pop mainstream with the help of writer/producer Jellybean and "Holiday".

"Like A Virgin", her 1984 single and title-track to her first LP, started her string of number ones. "Material Girl" followed - the video of which cemented her blonde-bombshell image and spawned a legion of imitators. Coupled with an appearance at 1985's Live Aid concert and media-blitz-gone-awry wedding to actor Sean Penn on August 16th, it made for a hectic beginning for the new queen of pop. Her second US chart-topper, "Crazy For You" (written with ex-Carpenters collaborator John Bettis) was featured on the Matthew Modine grappling movie soundtrack Vision Quest. 1986's True Blue was played on the radio constantly with the gems "Open Your Heart", the obligatory "True Blue", "La Isla Bonita" and the controversial teen-pregnancy anthem "Papa Don't Preach". "Live To Tell" (on husband's movie soundtrack At Close Range) was another hit that coincided with the well-received album.