Feeling extra loved today. Not sure how I would get through these horrific times without my sweet guy by side, always there to take care of me. xo
Dinner at Nice Matin in anticipation of our trip to Nice!
Showing posts with label madonna. Show all posts
Showing posts with label madonna. Show all posts
Friday, February 14, 2025
Wednesday, January 08, 2025
Wind in Her Sales
I'm not sure how accurate this bar chart of Madonna's album sales is. (I've always heard that "True Blue" was her best-seller.) But whatever the case may be, it's awfully fun to look at -- and to see how they compare with my list of FAVORITE ALBUMS by the Material Girl.
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
Good Going, Stranger
Just now seeing this incredible photo of Madonna in front of Manic Panic -- the first punk boutique in the U.S. -- on St. Marks Place in the East Village, while filming "Desperately Seeking Susan" in 1984. Photo by Andy Schwartz.
Read an interview with Tish and Snooky -- onetime Blondie (and the Bonzai Babies) backup singers and Manic Panic proprietors -- HERE.
Thursday, May 25, 2023
Madonna's 40 Biggest Singles
This fun Billboard list of Madonna's 40 biggest Hot 100 hits popped up on social media the other day and I'm obsessing over it like I'm 15. I'm not entirely sure how it works -- I'd always heard "Take a Bow" was her "biggest" single -- but the column saying "adjusted points" explains what makes this list slightly different.
Of note: "Take a Bow" was on the Hot 100 the longest (a whopping 30 weeks) while "Rescue Me" was her shortest (just eight weeks). If you had asked me to rattle off what I thought were her 10 biggest hits, this list sounds about right. (As much as I adore "Live to Tell," I love that even after all these years, "Crazy for You" is still such a popular ballad, because it takes me back to high school.)
"Papa Don't Preach" is still my least favorite of her biggies, although I've come to appreciate it a bit over the years, especially when Roger did a gender-flipped cover on "American Dad."
Also a tad disappointing to not see "Beautiful Stranger" on the list -- apparently it wasn't officially released in the U.S., only charting because of airplay -- which is far and away better than several of these, most notably "Hanky Panky," "Oh Father" and the dreaded "La Isla Bonita." (Not even sure why that one sticks in my craw the way it does, along with another fan favorite: "Human Nature"!) The advent of the "airplay only" chart and death of the single were the beginning of the end of Billboard charts for me, and "Beautiful Stranger" might have been the canary in the coal mine … all of which is to say it should have been No. 1 and is a million times better than all 150 of Drake’s No. 1 “hits.”
Knowing how Madonna allegedly feels about "Causing a Commotion" makes its placement at No. 14 sort of amusing. And since I'm just riffing, I'll add that if it were up to me, "Borderline" would be Top 10. (That it was my brother Bill's favorite Madonna song only adds to my love of it.) And "Angel," "Ray of Light," "Cherish" and its fraternal twin, "True Blue," would also all have been even more popular than they were.
Please share your picks and pans in the comments!
See my ranking of Madonna's albums HERE.
UPDATE: I was just pointed to Billboard's "Chart History" feature, which puts "Borderline" at the top. (Is my brother Bill editing from that newsroom in the sky?) The rankings seem to use total number of weeks on the Hot 100 as the only criteria, which technically would make it a tie with "Take a Bow" ... but I can take yes for an answer!
Wednesday, January 18, 2023
Madonna Announces Greatest Hits Tour
This promo for Madonna's upcoming "Celebration" tour brings back a lot of great memories, seeing her in three of my former hometowns. I happened to be on a ticket stub kick lately -- scanning and photographing as many as I can find -- so the timing couldn't be more perfect.
My virgin Madonna experience was at the ASU Activity Center with my brother Bill, having seen “Desperately Seeking Susan” on his recommendation a couple weeks before. (I slung popcorn where the film later showed, so got to see it a dozen-plus times on the big screen.)
I was just a senior in high school, and I always got so intimidated whenever I set foot on the campus of Arizona State University, which of course seems hilarious now.
(I'd seen Cyndi Lauper for nine bucks at the same venue the September before.)
The second time was when I was in Detroit for the summer. I went with my friends Mark, Nina, JR and Brad, moments after seeing “Who’s That Girl” at the movie theater where Brad worked. (I hope we got a discount!) That was the summer I went to my first gay bars (Hippodrome in London; Backstreet in Detroit; Connection in Phoenix), saw “Parting Glances” for the first time (Mark rented it for us, having seen it in an arthouse cinema the previous winter with his first flame) and watched my first gay porn. (You can thank John Davenport in "Powertool" for my curly-blond fetish!)
Sadly the once architecturally esteemed venue, the Pontiac Silverdome in Madonna’s true hometown, was torn to the ground in 2017, after many years of disrepair and abandonment.
These prices are hilarious -- $14, $21.50 and $30 -- far less than Ticketmaster/Live Nation charges in "convenience" fees these days.
The third and fourth time I saw Madonna was on back-to-back nights in May 1990, a week after I had moved to SoCal. Mark, Brad and I famously stuck our tickets in a cardboard beer bottle caddy as we were slamming brewskies in the parking lot of the L.A. Sports Arena before the second show when a homeless guy pushing a shopping cart looking for recyclables walked by.
We cheerfully handed him our empties, not remembering that our tickets were still in the holder. (You've never heard three grown men shriek so loudly as we did in our panic!) Fortunately, Brad spotted the man in the distance and we were able to fulfill our blond ambition for a second night in a row. 😎
A year later Mark, his new boyfriend and later husband (Joel, RIP) and I returned to the venue to participate in the 3rd Annual AIDS Project Los Angeles AIDS Dance-a-Thon ... and guess who was also there? 💃
To be clear, there was no way to get particularly close to the Material Girl. (She brought her own dance partners!)
But just knowing she was there in support of us, as the gay community watched so many of our friends and lovers fade away way too soon, made me feel for just a moment that everything might eventually be all right.
With photographer Herb Ritts, who had been long living with HIV when he died in 2002 at just 50
Friday, September 23, 2022
Thursday, September 08, 2022
Song of the Day: 'Queen' by Madonna
Queen Elizabeth II is dead at 96. She'll never rule again. In the end, we all get slayed by Father Time. 🙏🙏🙏
P.S. I know it's "too soon," but I rarely think of royals unless they're being shoved down my throat, so hear me out. Am I the only person who thinks the idea of a person walking around wearing a crown in 2022 calling him or herself a king or queen is utterly ridiculous, not to mention embarrassing? The referendums never work to oust them -- where are all the "colonialism" social-justice warriors when you need them?🤨🤨🤨
Monday, August 15, 2022
Song of the Day: 'The Power of Good-Bye' by Madonna
I'm kicking off Week 3 of my series of Songs That Peaked at No. 11 with Madonna's one and only just-missed Top 10 single. "The Power of Good-Bye" was the third U.S. release from her Grammy-winning "Ray of Light" album -- and the third in a row to get short-shrift from the record-buying public. First came "Frozen," a haunting release that was freezed out at No. 2. Then the title track -- a kaleidoscopic masterpiece -- peaked at No. 5. (I'd have retired at that point if I recorded a song that good and it didn't top the charts.) And then came today's pick, The song attained success around the world, reaching the Top 10 in more than 10 countries, yet narrowly missed it in her (original) homeland. Worth noting that she's had three No. 10 singles -- "Borderline," "Hanky Panky," "Give Me All Your All Your Luvin'" -- and that the latter two were far inferior to today's Song of the Day. (Note to self: It could be worse. "Rain" peaked at No. 14 -- talk about utter bullshit!)
Beautiful video directed by Matthew Rolston.
Monday, April 11, 2022
Song of the Day: 'Crimes of Passion' by Madonna
Although I think it's safe to say this 1980-81 era Madonna demo morphed into the superior "Physical Attraction," I must confess I've long had a soft spot for it -- and not just because of the perfectly Madonna lyrics "Show you what it's like to have your cake and eat it too / I think you'll like what I'm gonna do, oh," which sadly got left on the recording-studio floor.
Update:
Out of curiosity I just checked the "Encyclopedia Madonicca," which turns out to have a decidedly different take on the song. Hear "It's Passion" by the System HERE.
Update 2:
At least I see I'm not alone. Maybe this just speaks to the limitations of a Casio keyboard!
Wednesday, March 31, 2021
Song of the Day: 'Live to Tell' by Madonna
Today's pick was inspired by my pal Jeremy Kinser, who fondly writes:
"I know where beauty lives."[This week] marks 35 years since the release of Madonna's greatest ballad "Live to Tell." I know what you're wondering. How does a guy in his late 29s know so much about a recording released before he was born? I'm a lifelong Madonna stan and have researched every bit of minutiae about her and should be hired as a fact checker for her biopic if it really comes to fruition.Anyhoo, "Live to Tell" is among her top five greatest singles, if you ask me. I have full recall of the first time I heard it, as I was blown away by her vocals and the lyrics. I've had two young friends die during the past week so the lyrics have taken on special meaning to me. I hope I live to tell all someday.
I feel the exact same way. I never saw "At Close Range," the film starring her then-husband, Sean Penn, for which it was written. But the song -- and the simple video -- felt like a new, grown-up version of the virginial material girl we had been loving the past few years had been born. And it was the first in a string of sublime ballads to come, that would prove to be some of her finest songwriting ever.
Tuesday, February 02, 2021
Song of the Day: 'Causing a Commotion' by Madonna
"Causing a Commotion" -- one of six Madonna singles to peak at No. 2 -- never had an official video.
But if it had, I would have liked it to have looked just like THIS!
Tuesday, September 15, 2020
Song of the Day: 'Holiday' by Madonna
If only Joel Avery and I had been able to see this back in P.E. at Dobson High School in the fall of '83 -- we could have settled that fight about whether Madonna has a gay brother is black or not on the spot!
Or this:
Watch HERE.
If I've seen either of these before I do not remember.
Wednesday, July 01, 2020
Page 1 Roundup (07/01)
The Daily News: Democrats say classified briefing debunked Trump’s claim that Russian bounty plot was a ‘hoax’
Greg in Hollywood: Beard and brawn
The Randy Report: LGBTQ Entertainment Critics announce nominees for 2020 TV honors
Towleroad: Football player who doesn't get cared if he gets fired for his antigay rant gets fired
Back2Stonewall: Hairy-chested doctor fighting coronavirus in Spain becomes Mr. Gay World
Back2Stonewall: Hairy-chested doctor fighting coronavirus in Spain becomes Mr. Gay World
Associated Press: Hundreds of fans allowed at Berlin tennis exhibitions
The Guardian: How Chris Evert helped shape modern tennis
Architectural Digest: I can't think of anything more fun than watching 'House Hunters' Mystery Science Theater 3000-style with some of the funniest people around, including Natasha Leggero and Whitney Cummings
The Washington Post: Republican leaders now say everyone should wear a mask -- even as Trump refuses and has mocked some who do
The New York Times: Suspicions of Russian bounties were bolstered by data on financial transfers
Amy McGrath will face McConnell in Kentucky, and Hickenlooper wins in Colorado
Amy McGrath will face McConnell in Kentucky, and Hickenlooper wins in Colorado
The Wall Street Journal: Mississippi governor signs bill to take Confederate emblem off flag
Hot Cats of the Day: Eyes on your own bowls, please!!!!
Thursday, June 11, 2020
Song of the Day: 'Love Don't Live Here Anymore' by Rose Royce
Damian and I have been on a(nother) Madonna kick since watching Guy Guido's documentary about the Breakfast Club. Her version of "Love Don't Live Here Anymore" is sublime, and got me thinking of the original. The oft-covered "Wishing on a Star" and disco smash "Car Wash" are probably Rose Royce's best-known songs. But this one and "I Want to Get Next to You" are still my favorites.
Monday, June 08, 2020
Song of the Day: 'Kiss and Tell' by the Breakfast Club
Finally got around to watching "Madonna and the Breakfast Club," Guy Guido's breathtaking look at the Material Girl's path to stardom now streaming on Amazon Prime. The documentary features rare audio and photos dating back to her late 1970s arrival in New York -- WHO recorded phone calls in 1979??? -- interspersed with present-day interviews with the XY principals and re-enactments brought to life by Jamie Auld, whose stunning resemblance to Ms. Ciccone has to be seen to be believed. (Most of us are familiar with the Pretenders and Benatar-esque songs that eventually were released on "Pre-Madonna," but this is filled with songs from way before then, including her earliest and punkiest songwriting efforts.) Unlike past biopics and the stories we've been fed for decades, this film portrays Madonna as a fiercely determined but caring person rather than the cold-hearted maneating user of lore. And given that ex-boyfriend/bandmate Dan Gilroy, ex-roommate/bandmate Ed Gilroy and ex-bandmate (and unrequited love interest) Gary Burke were all interviewed at length and spoke highly of her as a person and an artist, it leads me to believe this is probably the fairest depiction yet. (And lest you think Bray's absence from the film means anything, he's has nothing but KIND THINGS to say about his former flame and collaborator. He was probably too busy getting nominated for a Tony for "The Color Purple.")
Although considered just a one-hit wonder of sorts now, it was also nice reliving that the band that gave Madonna her first break -- Dan helped her learn the drums and guitar before she tired of being a backup player and formed Emmy with Detroit pal Stephen Bray -- had its moment after she left. With Bray joining the fold (sort of in her drumming absence), the Breakfast Club had a huge Top 10 hit in "Right on Track." And their cover of "Expressway to Your Heart" and today's song of the day, "Kiss and Tell" -- the album's most romantic number -- were also in heavy rotation back in the day. Don't want to spoil the film for you. But suffice to say Madonna was happy for their success, too.
P.S. It's not entirely clear to me why, but the after receiving a Grammy nomination for best new artist -- ironic for a band that formed in 1979 -- and a successful debut album, the Breakfast Club's sophomore album was shelved and the group broke up. (A cover of the Beatles' "Drive My Car" was their last effort, recorded for the Corey(2) vehicle "License to Drive" soundtrack in 1988.) In 2016, however, tracks from the unreleased effort were released as an EP fittingly called "Percolate." Struck me as cute when I saw on the credits that Niki Haris had sang backup, making it a complete Madonna U affair!
Looks like sensitive Gary Burke had exited the club by this point.
Thursday, March 26, 2020
Mark Blum, Gary Glass in 'Desperately Seeking Susan,' Dies at 69 Due to COVID-19 Complications
Ouch, this one hurts. Was very saddened to read that gifted stage actor Mark Blum, whose performance as straight-laced Gary Glass opposite Rosanna Arquette and Madonna in "Desperately Seeking Susan" anchored the classic New Wave film, has died at 69.
Director Susan Seidelman remembers her leading man
The New York theater company Playwrights Horizons first announced the news, and SAG-AFTRA executive vice president Rebecca Damon confirmed that the veteran actor died from complications of COVID-19. Representatives for Blum additionally confirmed the news to TheWrap.
The old (brilliant) Roseanne, champion of the oppressed -- aka before she went nuts because a black man became president.
In addition to his standout performance in "Susan" -- "No, muchachas! No!" -- he delivered memorable guests spots on "Law and Order" and "Roseanne" (read dialogue above).
"I didn't say I wanted to buy one. Got any pot?"
The Wrap reports that Blum was a fixture of the New York theater community, having won an Obie Award for his performance in the Playwrights Horizons production of a play from Albert Innaurato, “Gus and Al.” He’s also appeared on Broadway in Neil Simon’s “Lost in Yonkers,” Gore Vidal’s “The Best Man” and more.
Roberta Glass remembers her estranged hubby on Twitter.
NYP reports that playwright Christopher Shinn also took to Twitter to salute Blum’s life and kindness.
“In 2011 Mark Blum starred in my play Picked @vineyardtheatre, in a tricky role -- a narcissistic filmmaker whose more human instincts collide with the desire to protect himself from emotional risk,” Shinn wrote. “Mark’s performance took huge risks. He was magnificent. And the kindest man. RIP.”
Blum leaves behind his wife and fellow actor, Janet Zarish, also 69, whose credits include guest appearances on “Law & Order,” “Seinfeld” and “Blue Bloods.” Such a big loss.
UPDATE:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
