I'll do my best to fit in a lifetime of admiration in a short time, here goes nothing...
I was about 7 when she first came on the music scene and MTV was just starting. I remember my Grandma bought me the "Like A Virgin" tape, yes I said tape, in an effort to get me to behave one day as I was working her last nerve...Lol!
I had just gone to my first concert to see Cyndi Lauper and had her poster on my wall. But Madonna wasn't just dressing funny and being provocative. Madonna was so captivating! She's always been so engaging, mesmerizing so to speak. She really knows how to acquire & maintain an audience. I mean yes, she was over the top and probably not the best role model for an 8 year old girl, however, my Mom loved her too! I wasn't allowed full access to all of her music, but most. I didn't know what she was talking about anyway so it didn't matter. I had no idea what a "Virgin" even was.
She had a way of making you feel liberated & free to take full advantage of your right to freedom of speech & artistic expression. Yes, it caused commotions (pun intended) and it got people's attention, but that was the point. She was as brave as she was talented & that was enough.
I was 8 when my Mom picked me up from school and told me she had a surprise for me. Next thing I knew, I was entering Madison Square Garden to see her Like a Virgin show! I have never been more shocked in my whole life! I was mad at my Mom for not bringing clothes for me to dress up in! (Sorry Mom!!) When not in school, you could bet on my outfits being completely Madonna-inspired! I began dressing like Madonna from the minute I saw her. I'm talking the "works." I was never without my gummy bracelets, lace gloves & leggings finished off with a bow on my head...etc
I went to a private school and we had uniforms. I hated it! They were so boring & plain. I hated looking like everyone else. I wanted to wear my neon lace leggings & leather boots! I'll never forget the year she came out with a collection at Macy's and I got all of it for Christmas! I died! I would even wear some of the items under my uniform so I could change the SECOND school let out. I was quite the little fashionista! I was the first kid in my school to wear gummy bracelets & lace. I took her style and incorporated it into my every day look. If the was wearing burlap sacks, I wouldn't have done it too, I wasn't crazy but I actually LIKED her look so to be seen looking like that felt like home to me. Still does.
I have really enjoyed growing up with Madonna as a Fashion Icon, Trend Setting, Role Model. She can change her look without changing who she is. It blows me away how connected she is to what she does and how aware she is of how it's all going to be perceived. She's a marketing genius who knows how to turn everything she touches to Platinum, forget the Gold!
She's way ahead of her time, in every aspect and I completely respect and admire that.
I went on to see her 2 more times, both at MSG.
*Ticket Stubs*
I saw her Drowned World show with my bestie, (that I met in kindergarten, who grew up loving her right along side of me-so it was very special that we could do that together-Hi Hallie!!) The third time was 5 years later for my favorite concert of ALL time, EVER; Confessions Tour. Oh. Em. Gee! I went with my sister (Hi Peanut) and we were just floored! It was amazing! She came out from the ceiling in a disco ball and I've just never been so entranced in my life! There wasn't a dull minute, every second something was going on. It was spectacular! Plus, I really love that album from start to finish so it was great to see that live. I managed to get video of her opening act, I watch it every now and then just to give myself chills!
I've been to so many concerts and hers is by far the best! She sings, dances and performs....the WHOLE time! Not like some artists (not naming names but I'm sure you know) who lip sync and put on a mass produced, frigid show. No, thanks!
I'd also like to point out she made it as big as she is without itunes, YouTube or the Internet. All she had was her vision & MTV News...Lol!
When MTV refused to play her "Justify My Love" video, she sold it. Genius! Just saying...
I've collected 100's of her magazine covers, books, movies, CDs, videos and articles alike. I don't believe in being "Star Struck" because we're all people & just because you sing, act or whatever, you're still just a person. I've encountered a lot of celebrities and performers & it's never made me feel inferior or subject to their status. For what?
I don't believe we should worship people because it goes against my beliefs, however she is the only living person I've felt so influenced by for so long and in so many different ways.
Of course, I love my family & friends and they're my heroes too. You can imagine, I'm not easily impressed so this is a rare and very special circumstance.
I have countless stories of how she's influenced my life, it's truly endless. I don't care what anyone says, our time has never seen such an influential artist.
She is the one and only: *Queen Of Pop*
For the record my favorite Madonna albums are: Erotica, Bedtime Stories & Confessions on a Dance Floor.
Don't get me wrong, I love all of them but these 3 came out during pivotal times in my life. I was able to lose myself in them like no other.
Here's a look into my Madonna Memorabilia that I've held onto over the years...some of these are 20 years old!
*1985*
Special one b/c My dear Elizabeth Taylor is on the cover too!
*1985*
Begged my Mom to buy me this on the street years after it was out, so we paid $6 for it. Still a bargain ;-)
Original t-shirt I got from her Like A Virgin concert. I wore it many different ways until it looked like this! It's tiny!
*1986 Calendar*
I LOVE this movie & have seen it hundreds of times! I know it by heart! Me & Hallie watched it every time we had a play date...*heehee* She gave me the DVD 2 years ago for my birthday <3
*1989*
Some Magazines & Books from 1980's-Present.
The rest are saved.
*1993*
The Sex Book.
I remember the controversy around this thing! But as usual, she turned a hefty profit by selling them for $50 & only producing 500,000 copies. This is one of those ;-)
NOT for people under 18!!! Lol!
*1996 Calendar*
She was modeling for Versace at this time and was fresh off the heels of her Bedtime Stories album. She never looked better!
*1997 Calendar*
I loved her look around the late nineties. It was so sensual. She always looked like a purring kitten.
*2000 Millennium Calendar*
"Music" was on the radio and that whole album was perfect for where I was in my life. She's good like that ;-)
*2001 Calendar*
Madonna got political with songs from "American Life" & made "The Next Best Thing" w/the hunky Rupert Everett
*2001-Drowned World Concert Booklet*
Shirts come & go, I'd rather have more pics to look at. Hallie got one too :-)
*W-2009*
This featured Madonna and new "Boy Toy" of the moment, the absolutely gorgeous, Jesus Luz. Can we say "Eye Candy"??
*My original Black Gummy Bracelets fro the 80's. There was a picture of Madonna wearing these exact heart, diamond earrings so when I saw them on St. Marks, my Grandma got them for me. I needed clip-ons b/c I
didn't have pierced ears yet. No idea where the other one went :-(
I think it's only right to end this with a link to her new video...Enjoy!
Give Me All Your Luvin'
http://youtu.be/cItHOl5LRWg
Keep it pretty!
*Stephanie*
