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Madonna news - Oct. 2004
← Sep. 2004 | Nov. 2004 →
Elton John ready to apologize to Madonna
Source: AP - 29 October 2004Elton John is ready to apologize to Madonna after recently accusing the pop star of lip-synching. "I don't want to escalate it because I like Madonna," the 57-year-old singer-songwriter tells Entertainment Weekly. "She's been to my house for dinner. It was something that was said in the heat of the moment, and probably should not have been said."
"Would I apologize to her if I saw her?" said John. "Yeah, because I don't want to hurt any artist's feelings. It was my fault. I instigated the whole thing. But it applies to all those bloody teenage singers."
John made the comment when presenting the Best Live Act award during the Q awards in London earlier this month. In EW's Nov. 6 issue, John described the event as "a very drunken lunch."
"The reaction to it was so hysterical," he said. "It was like I said, `I think all gays should be killed or I think Hitler was right.' I just said someone was lip-synching. I'm not afraid to speak my mind. I'm not going to mellow with age. I get more enraged about things as I get older because you see that these injustices go on."
(Madonna's spokeswoman, Liz Rosenberg, has said the singer doesn't lip-synch and indicated that she hadn't taken John's remarks too seriously.)
Penn heckled with Madonna sex question
Source: ContactMusic - 29 October 2004Oscar-winning actor Sean Penn was heckled at a screening of his latest movie on Tuesday (26 OCT 04) - by an audience member wanting to know what it's like to enjoy sexual relations with Madonna.
Penn, 44, was at a question and answer session following a Boston, Massachusetts, viewing of The Assassination Of Richard Nixon when a cheeky participant asked him about his private life with former wife Madonna.
And the heckler also demanded to know if Penn, who ignored the remarks, wore a toupee.
Penn, now married to second wife Robin Wright, wed the Like A Virgin singer in 1985. They divorced in 1989.
He refused to answer the intimate questions.
Madonna dolls go on sale
Source: ContactMusic - 29 October 2004Pop superstar Madonna is selling herself to fans - in doll format. Different phases of the Material Girl's career are portrayed on a new set of handmade and handpainted wooden Russian nesting dolls, available for pre-order on her website. But fans hoping to own a set are urged to hurry with their orders - only 5,000 of these four-in-one dolls are being made.
Madonna stars in Tourism Ministry video
Source: Haaretz - 29 October 2004The Tourism Ministry [of Israel] has produced a 30-second video in which Madonna says Israel is a safe place to visit. The video, which was taped during the pop singer's recent trip here, will be shown about 10 times on three large screens at the world tourism fair in London, which runs from November 8-11. Other attractions at the fair's Israeli site include a beach corner.
University wins thousands of Madonna condoms
Source: NBC5 - 29 October 2004The University of Kansas is about to be flooded with Madonna condoms.
The Douglas County health department is the winner of the Madonna Condom Giveaway.
It was sponsored by the New York-based condom store, Condomania. The health department wins 21,000 Madonna condoms, with an authorized picture of the pop star on the wrapper.
Department officials say they'll be handing out the condoms during Pride Week at the university, where they'll also host a Madonna look-alike drag show.
Madonna tribute night in Vancouver
27 October 2004Madonnafan Holiwoodboi has informed us about an upcoming Madonna event in Vancouver:
"It will be a Madonna tribute night with tons oh fun! check it out!
"Hey Mr DJ Dicky Doo put a record on... I wanna dance with my baby!
Ladies and gentlemen, step right up, the greatest evening in Vancouver is about to begin! We have dancing ladies, and we have dancing boys! We even have a superstar dj!
On Wednesday November 10 right here in Vancouver, at the greatest gay club this city has ever had, Celebrities! We are holding the greatest Madonna night this city has ever seen!
We have the Fab Supa Star, Mr DJ Dicky Doo spinning al the hawt Madonna rekords all night long and the equaly fab and georgous Mizz Cotton, the host for the evening.
There will be a Madonna show featuring performances by Vancouvers best Madonna drag/impersonators Mina Mercury, Trixi, Mandy Kamp and many more.
The Kabbalah Center will be featured in one of our many booths. They will be promoting the up and coming Kabbalah Factor here in Vancouver as well information will be available and donations accepted for the Spirituality for Kids, an incredibly important cause supported heavily by Madonna herself.
We will be featuring Donna DeLory in another booth! There will be some special merchandise available for sale along with information on Donna's up and coming performance right here in Vancouver on November 19th. It will be a benifit concert for the Yoga Outreach Center, tickets will be available for $25.00 each.
In our third booth we have the privilege to feature some great local talent. He is a close friend and has an amazing talent, Sean Tateryn creator of the famous Madonna Myumee Dolls. Sean will have some of his many Madonna Dolls on display, as well as the first public showing of his latest ReInvention Myumee Dolls. Come get your picture taken with your fave doll, with Sean or just get an autograph if ya want!
There will be some great door prizes and a few give aways!!! It is gonna be a great night for Madonna fans alike to come togeather here in our beautiful city and celebrate our idol!!
Hope to see you all there!
Get ready Vancouver... the greatest night is about to begin!!!!"
Love & Light,
HOLIWOODBOI"
Guy and Madge team up again
Source: Sky News - 26 October 2004They may have produced one of the biggest flops in recent movie history, but that hasn't stopped Madonna and Guy Ritchie teaming up again.
The Material Girl and her film director hubby start filming new gangster flick Revolver in London this week.
It comes after they were ridiculed over their remake of 70s movie Swept Away, a massive flop at the box office in 2002.
One critic snarled: "New ways of describing badness need to be invented to describe how bad it is."
It even went straight to video in Britain after a disastrous release in the US.
Swept Away went on to pick up five Razzie Awards for Worst Actress, Worst Director, Worst Picture, Worst Remake or Sequel and Worst Screen Couple.
But, unabated, the couple have joined forces on Ritchie's latest work, with Madge reportedly to play a crime boss.
Jason Statham, who worked with Ritchie on Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch, and Goodfellas actor Ray Liotta, also star.
Madonna has made a habit of working on movies with her men.
She appeared with ex-husband Sean Penn in Shanghai Surprise and former squeeze Warren Beatty in Dick Tracy.
Madonna.com updated
26 October 2004The intropage of Madonna.com has again been updated, this time with the new book 'The Adventures Of Abdi' as main theme. There's a link to pre-order the book, as well as links to the tour merchandise, the Madonna nesting dolls, and the Madonna ringtones & logos.
The news section contains one of the press articles on Besson's animation film 'Arthur', which seems to confirm Madonna's participation in the project.
News on Re-Invention DVD *rumour*
26 October 2004And still more great news from Madonna.nu (thanks Hamad!!):
"Finally more news came in today regarding the upcoming Re-Invention Tour dvd release. Unlike the Drowned World tour, this dvd will be packed with extras such as the videos featured during the show [including The Beast Within] and some rehearsal clips which were shot during her Lisbon visit last month. At this point the dvd is set to be released sometime between February and March, although no date is confirmed yet."
News on new album *rumour*
26 October 2004Fansite Madonna.nuhas posted following rumours on the new Madonna album:
"News from two of our sources has just reached us about Madonna's upcoming album. Still in the early stages of production, things can change at any time at this point. However, this is what we know so far:
Stuart Price is at the healm of the album, his role is as producer; Stuart has a lot of input with the type of music, sound and over all direction of the album. The sound we are being told is more electric than the work she did with Orbit. Also, Monte Pittman is involved, Madonna is working with him, but what they are working on is unknown at the moment. Mirwais doesn't seem to be too heavily involved with this album at this time and his role is yet unknown.
A blast from the past, Madonna has brought in Pat Leonard for more writting than producing. Joe Henry is involved as well and is collaborating with Madonna.
A little tid bit to chew on: We have learned that there is a song titled "You're The One" but people close to Madonna are pushing for the title to change because it is so close to Nothing Fails.
We remind you, the album is still in it's very early stages and many things are bound to change."
New photoshoot
26 October 2004The great fansite Madonna.nu has heard there'll be a new Madonna photoshoot. However, Madonna won't be alone, she'll be joined by film actress Demi Moore for a Kabbalah related photoshoot. The shoot is reportedly being done by juliedennisbrothers.
Preview Mi Abbandono A Te
24 October 2004Soon Laura Pausini will release her new album Resta In Ascolto, which - as you all know - contains the song Mi Abbandono A Te, an Italian translation of Madonna's Like A Flower. We've put up a page with both the Italian and Spanish lyricsn, which can also be found on Pausini's official website.
There you can also preview the song: just click on "Resta In Ascolto" in the "Music" section, then click the microphone behind "Mi Abbandono A Te". Personally I think it sounds very weak compared to Madonna's beautiful demo...
Madonna joins 'Arthur' cast for Besson
Source: Reuters / Hollywood Reporter - 23 October 2004Madonna will head the voice cast of the big-budget computer-animated "Arthur," based on a series of children's books written by French filmmaker Luc Besson, who will direct the project, sources said Thursday.
The $80 million English-language project, scheduled for a 2006 release, follows 10-year-old Arthur who, in a bid to save his grandfather's house from developers, goes in search of treasure hidden in the land of the Minimoys, a tiny people living in harmony with nature.
Madonna is understood to be voicing the part of Princess Selenia, a character who travels with Arthur to a mysterious forbidden city where an evil being dwells.
"The recording is being done at the moment," a production source said.
Besson's Europa production banner also is in the process of casting a major male star. The film will include some live-action sequences.
"Arthur" will be the first film directed by Besson since "The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc" five years ago. Besson also is working on a parallel live-action project, which he has written but which remains a closely guarded secret.
~ Luc Besson was also the director of the Love Profusion video
Madonna and Guy Ritchie work together again
Source: Irish Examiner - 23 October 2004Madonna and Guy Ritchie are ignoring their cursed movie-making past by teaming up for another film. The couple were ridiculed for their 2002 movie flop Swept Away, but that isn't stopping them working together again. Madonna will reportedly appear in her husband's new film Revolver, which starts shooting in London next week. )
Madonna throws Kabbalah bash
Source: Channel 4 - 23 October 2004Madonna and husband Guy Ritchie have thrown a lavish star-studded party with a Kabbalah theme in London. A host of celebrities arrived at the exclusive Mayfair venue to mingle and discuss the latest religion to become a hit with the showbiz set.
Demi Moore, Gwyneth Paltrow and Donatella Versace were just some of the big names to attend the cocktail soirée. Guests were sent away with Kabbalah books so they could further their studies of the in vogue religion at home.
Last month the chart-topping singer and 2000 other members of the Kabbalah Centre in Los Angeles, visited Jerusalem for a mass gathering of the faith's followers.
Madonna and Demi Moore honour Kabbalah guru
Source: ContactMusic - 23 October 2004Hollywood beauty Demi Moore and pop queen Madonna threw a star-studded party last night (21 OCT 04) in honour of Kabbalah leader Rabbi Michael Berg.
The Charlie's Angels star and the Material Girl are so grateful to the Los Angeles head of the mystical offshoot of Judaism for changing their lives, they hosted the lavish $720,000 (GBP40,000) bash at London's Home House Club, where celebrity guests included Madonna's director husband Guy Ritchie, Gwyneth Paltrow and Donatella Versace.
The devoted pair shipped in specially blessed Kabbalah water for the occasion and paid for an unlimited bar and macrobiotic canapes for the 50 guests.
An insider says, "Rabbi Berg is the founding father of Demi's religion and both she and Madonna credit him with turning their lives around. Michael's weekly lectures at the Los Angeles Kabbalah Center are full of celebs. And they all bend over backwards to please him."
Madonna's latest book infuriates Kabbalah critics
Source: ContactMusic - 23 October 2004Pop queen Madonna's latest book has infuriated Kabbalah critics, who claim it brutally forces the mystical offshoot of Judaism "down the throats of innocent children".
The Material Girl's fourth children's tome The Adventures Of Abdi tells the story of Abdi, a young boy who has to deliver the most precious necklace in the world to the queen, and overcomes numerous obstacles "through the power of spiritual certainty".
Religious cult expert Rick Ross tells American news site MSNBC.COM, "The book is just more Kabbalah preaching disguised as a kiddie book. The character survives 'through the power of spiritual certainty'.
"It's just pushing Kabbalah down the throats of innocent children."
The book will hit book shops in November.
Madonna portrait auctioned for charity
Source: The Scotsman - 23 October 2004A portrait of superstar Madonna by a Lothian artist [was friday] due to be auctioned in the Capital for a children’s charity.
The unusual oil painting was created specially for Barnado’s Scotland by contemporary artist Anne Power to help raise funds for the organisation.
It was set to be included in an auction being held tonight during a fundraising event for the charity at the Mansfield Traquair Centre.
The 5ft by 4ft black and white Madonna portrait depicts the American icon in her late-80s Vogue era, but with a corsage flower in her lapel. Ms Power, who was born in Falkirk and now lives in West Lothian, explained that the flower - a current fashion trend - is meant to add a contemporary feel.
"I started the painting around two months ago and did it exclusively for Barnado’s," she said. "I’m a huge fan of Madonna and I admire everything she has done in her life. I think her strong character comes out in the painting.
Anyone interested in bidding for the portrait or attending Barnardo’s fundraising evening should contact Jennifer Craik on 0131-314 6645.
No Kabbalah for Missy
Source: Female First - 23 October 2004Missy Elliott snubbed Madonna when the pop queen tried to convert her to the Kabbalah.
The rap star, 33, has admitted the 'Material Girl' offered her the religion's signature red bracelet - worn by stars including Britney Spears and Demi Moore.
But Missy declined because she'd been raised a Christian.
She said: "I love Madonna - we became friends after the Gap advert. She introduced me to Kabbalah and gave me a red bracelet. I'm Christian, so I didn't join - but we're still close."
Madonna plans jazz duet *rumour*
Source: ContactMusic - 20 October 2004Pop superstar Madonna is planning a duet with African jazz singer Cesaria Evora. Fans of the 63-year-old Cape Verdan star were surprised to see the Material Girl in the crowd at a concert Evora gave in London last week (14 OCT 04).
But sources say Madonna is a huge fan and desperate for the pair to collaborate. An insider reveals, "She's a big admirer of Cesaria's. As far as I know, nothing's been signed yet, but I think they could be singing together soon."
And a spokesperson for Evora's record label BMG admits a duet isn't out of the question: "A collaboration wouldn't surprise me. Cesaria has an immense global following."
New updates
19 October 2004Now that the Re-Invention Tour is over and Elton's comments have (almost) died out in the press, there isn't much Madonna news around. However, we present you some site updates instead. Madonnafan Steve Woods has send us several reports of the Re-Invention shows he saw in both the US and Europe; read them in our fan reports section.
We've also added some cool Re-Invention wallpapers. And there are new avatars from the Love Don't Live Here Anymore video and the Sooner Or Later performance at the 1991 Oscar Awards. Enjoy!
Elton John: 'I hate to hurt Madonna'
19 October 2004British pop star Elton John held back on Tuesday from apologising for his recent foul-mouthed attack on Madonna.
"I do regret hurting her feelings because she's a major artist," John told Television New Zealand from Las Vegas where he is performing.
However, he appeared to qualify his regret by adding: "But she's a major artist of the video age and she's not the same kind of artist as U2 or Springsteen or Prince or Sting, or someone like that."
Picking up a song-writing award from Q music magazine in London earlier this month, John publicly attacked Madonna when he heard she had been nominated for Best Live Act.
"Anyone who lip-synchs in public on stage when you pay, like, 75 quid to see them should be shot," he said, referring to ticket prices for her Reinvention Tour.
Asked by the TV New Zealand interviewer if Madonna was still speaking to him, John said: "Well, she's probably not actually which is a shame, but I'm going to have to rectify that."
He said he did not regret saying it "because I have a bee in my bonnet about live shows.
"Her show isn't totally live, he said. "Madonna is a great artist - I hate to hurt her - I don't like slagging people off."
The pop star added: "It was in the context of a very rowdy lunch. Sometimes when you say something and then its written down on paper it looks totally different. But I do think she's a good person and I will try and rectify that."
The American pop superstar rejected Elton John's charge at the time, saying she did not lip-synch or criticise other artists.
New album with Depeche Mode musician? *rumour*
13 October 2004Glenn Turner reports in the MIR:
"[Apparently] taken from the Depeche Mode website: Madonna and Martin Gore:
Depeche Mode mastermind Martin L. Gore is working at the moment on various tracks for the new Madonna album. According to reports, the Pop-Diva met with Gore during her Re-Invention Tour and received some demos, at Stuart Price's insistence.
Last week, the two of them met in London, where Martin presented a fully-produced some. Apparently Madonna was very impressed. The new Madonna album should be in stores in early summer 2005."
~ Of course this is still only just a rumour. Madonna usually gets new inspiration on her tours. She collaborated with Monte Pittman and Stuart Price for the American Life album after working with them on the Drowned World Tour.
So it's possible she did some stuff on the Re-Invention Tour as well. But even if she did, it's unlikely she has an album finished by next summer. As usual, we'll keep you posted...
Info on tour DVD
12 October 2004We've been receiving a lot of mails of fans asking about the release date of the Re-Invention tour DVD. Unfortunately no date has been set yet. There have been a few rumours about release dates before Christmas 2004, but unfortunately they're NOT true.
It's highly likely that the DVD will be released AFTER the tour documentary; otherwise that movie would loose part of its value (part of the reason why the Blond Ambition DVD never saw the light of day was to promote Truth Or Dare instead). Since the tour documentary will premiere in Cannes (May 2005) we'll have to wait until at least summer 2005 for the DVD!
The positive side of the story is that the DVD will reportedly contain some serious extras, like the Bedtime Story background video. It will be the final concert of Lisbon that will be released and working title reportedly is "Live in Lisbon". When we know more, you'll read it here!
Press release on English Roses merchandise
Source: PR Newswire - 12 October 2004Signatures Network, Inc. (SNI), the entertainment industry's leading merchandising and licensing company, announced today that Madonna's The English Roses(TM) collection is currently launching in select Nordstrom stores, department stores and boutiques. Select items are also available on Nordstrom.com.
SNI signed and developed the product lines for the premier licensees for The English Roses, Madonna's hugely successful debut children's book. The licensing program for The English Roses(TM) features Girl's Apparel, Footwear, Rainwear, Collectable Dolls, Teas and Hot Chocolate, Tea Sets, Jewelry Boxes, Charm Bracelets and Necklaces, Calendars and more.
Beginning in October, Nordstrom will create an extensive in-store program around The English Roses(TM), including fashion shows and tea parties.
"Nordstrom is thrilled to carry many items from The English Roses(TM) collection in our stores," said Marci Scott, VP of Kids' Wear at Nordstrom."We're looking forward to events in our stores for our young customers, giving them the opportunity to see this fun, new merchandise."
The licensees include:
* AccessorLee for Belts, Hair Accessories and Lapel Pins
* Alexander Doll Company for Collectable Dolls and Dolls' Accessories
* Andrews McMeel for calendars
* Enzo Shoe for Slippers and Fashion Shoes
* Harney & Sons for Teas and Hot Chocolate
* High IntenCity for Charm Bracelets and Necklaces
* Kidorable for Raincoats and Umbrellas
* Lipstik Clothing for Girl's Apparel
* Schylling Associates for Tea Sets and Jewelry boxes
"Signatures is delighted to be partnering with Nordstrom and our other launch retailers to debut this exciting program," said Matt Hautau, VP of Licensing & Marketing for SNI. "We're very excited about the incredible group of licensees that we've assembled for this program. Madonna is a true artist of many dimensions, and this line is another extension of her creativity."
About The English Roses book
The first of five children's books written by Madonna, The English Roses tells an inspiring story about the importance of compassion and the rewards of friendship through five little girls. The English Roses debuted at #1 on the New York Times Children's Bestseller lists and was the #1 seller for Barnes & Noble online (http://www.bn.com).
Published by Callaway Editions, The English Roses was printed in 30 languages and over 100 countries, and became the largest children's book release in publishing history with a first printing of 1 million copies.
Elton vs. Madonna, Round II
Source: NBC - 12 October 2004Sir Elton isn't taking back his verbal jabs at Madonna.
Elton John took a verbal swing at Madonna last week, while the Rocket Man was receiving a songwriting award at the Q awards, sponsored by a British music magazine.
Now that his statements, claiming the Material Girl lip syncs her concerts, have caused a stir amongst many, think Sir Elton is ready to back off of his comments? Think again.
"You know, I just said what I said and I've been meaning to say it for a long time," Elton told Access Hollywood. "It was probably a bit unfair on Madonna, because a lot of people lip sync worse and their whole show is lip synced...her show is not wholly lip-synced but there's an element to it."
While Elton may have softened the blow just a bit since his initial tirade, he's still not backing down, although he didn't quite want to elaborate either.
"Madonna is a great artist, she's a great writer, she's a great performer, she makes great records and I just want to leave it at that," he told us.
Elton John scares away from Madonna party
Source: San Francisco Examiner - 12 October 2004Designer Donatella Versace threw a party in London for her good friend Madonna over the weekend; and guess which of Donatella's famous friends was too afraid to show his pudgy face -- Elton John.
The crotchety crocodile rocker, who publicly accused Madonna of lip-syncing, reportedly sent his partner David Furnish to try to smooth things out between him and Madge. But a source at the party told The Sun that Furnish and his date for the evening, Liz Hurley, sat as far away from Madonna as they possibly could.
"There was an uncomfortable atmosphere," said the source. "And there were lots of intense stares coming from Madonna's table."
Speaking of Madonna, the singer brought a personal posse of rabbis along with her to the party. And, on their way out, each of the men reportedly tipped the doormen.
More on 'The Road To Stardom'
12 October 2004Fellow fansite Madonnalicious has more info on 'The Road To Stardom', Missy Elliott's new talent show:
"[Yesterday's] edition of UK newspaper The Sun featured some more gossip regarding Madonna's appearance as a advisor/judge in Missy Elliott's forthcoming reality TV show The Road To Stardom With Missy Elliott.
The newspaper's insider suggests Madonna completed a screen test for the show, and said she would drive some contestants to tears with her put downs and her directness....even eclipsing Pop Idol's judge Simon Cowell.
An insider says: 'Madonna doesn't suffer fools gladly. She will have no patience with the have-a-go heroes trying to make a name for themselves.'
'If someone walks into the room the wrong way she'll say 'no' before a note is sung and that will be their chance gone. She will reduce people to tears because she is so direct. Her comments really find their targets. There is no pantomime about her performance.'
'She plays the role of a judge as she is in real life. There is no showing off like there is with Cowell. Only real hopefuls will get through to be judged by her.'
However madonnalicious has heard a different story from the taping which suggests that we haven't seen the return of 'mean Madonna' as the insiders would like us to believe.
The show will look at look at how to make it in the music industry. Missy Elliott will take 13 hopefuls and each week she and her panel of judges, Dallas Austin, Teena Marie and Elliott's manager, Mona Scott of Violator Management will eliminate a contestant from the show. Madonna will guest on the show and will offer the contestants some valuable advice on the music industry. [...]
Madonna's segment was taped during the Re-Invention tour rehearsals at The Forum in Los Angeles. The tour documentary crew were also present and filmed Madonna taping the show. As Madonna dispensed her advice to the contestants, she happily sat on the floor eating trail mix (a mixture of dried fruit, nuts and raisins)! Madonna's appearance on the show will be on one of the later episodes of the series.
Madonna set to become judge in TV talent show
Source: Ireland Online - 11 October 2004Pop superstar Madonna is to eclipse Simon Cowell as the nastiest person on television when she appears on Missy Elliott's forthcoming talent show on American TV. The Material Girl has already wowed producers with some incredibly mean criticism during screen tests for the as-yet-unnamed programme. And Madonna, who Elliott personally asked to be a judge, is likely to bring contestants to tears with her tough no-nonsense comments.
An insider says: "Madonna doesn't suffer fools gladly. She will have no patience with the have-a-go heroes trying to make a name for themselves. If someone walks into the room the wrong way she'll say 'no' before a note is sung and that will be their chance gone. She will reduce people to tears because she is so direct. Her comments really find their targets.
There is no pantomime about her performance. She plays the role of a judge as she is in real life. There is no showing off like there is with Cowell. Only real hopefuls will get through to be judged by her."
And now sing!
8 October 2004Madonnafan and fantastic artist Robster made a hilarious cartoon about Madonna and Elton John, which is pretty self-explanatory. Just click on the image to enlarge! Thanks for that Rob!
Madonna tops field For Billboard touring honors
Source: Billboard - 8 October 2004Madonna leads the finalists for Billboard's inaugural Backstage Pass Awards. The veteran performer is contending in three of the six artist categories.
The awards recognize the top achievements in touring, according to box-office data gathered from Billboard Boxscore reports between November 2003 and September 2004. They will be presented during the Billboard Backstage Pass touring conference, set for Nov. 8-9 at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York.
Finalists reflect a range of artists, venues and professionals who excelled despite the difficult touring year. Along with such categories as top tours, venues, promoters and events, the awards acknowledge the managers, agents and breakthrough artists who achieved top marks this year.
Madonna is a finalist for top tour (based on gross dollars) for her Clear Channel-produced Re-Invention outing, top draw (based on total tickets sold) and top Boxscore event (for a show at New York's Madison Square Garden). Other contenders for top tour are Prince's Musicology and Shania Twain's Up.
Among other finalists, Josh Groban, Linkin Park and John Mayer are up for top breakthrough act; Artists Group International, Creative Artists Agency and William Morris Agency are contenders for top agent/agency; and Clear Channel Entertainment, AEG Live and House of Blues Concerts are up for top promoter.
~ Now where's Elton John in the contenders list, let's see... Oh right, NOWHERE! ;-)
Laura Pausini on her collaboration with Madonna
7 October 2004Italian singer Laura Pausini is currently in Latin America promoting her new album. Here's the translation of a recent interview in which Laura talks again about her collaboration project with Madonna, "Mi Abbandono A Te".
"Madonna wrote the last song on my album that is titled "Mi abbandono a te". It's a song that I received more than a year and a half ago and she gave it to me in English but she wanted it to be sung by someone in another language and I believe we felt united because aside of singing it in Spanish, I can sing it in Italian, which is a language for which she has a lot of affection because she has Italian origins."
"It was very interesting working with her and even if I worked on the song with the producer of The power of good-bye and other songs on her Ray of Light album, it was entirely recorded and arranged in London while she was on tour, but she wanted to know everything because she doesn't leave projects like that unattended."
"Madonna wanted to know what I had written, because I changed the whole meaning of the song with my translation. The song now is not about the relationship between a man and a woman but it's about people's inner peace, like if we are seated one in front of the other, it's a very spiritual song and compared to the first demo she sent me it's quite different."
"I love working with someone this way because only the great artists like these can respect collaborations, they give you freedom, a little bit of her and a little bit of me, that's the true way to work, when two people unite and even if they are very different musically, it's interesting to hear them together and they don't have to necessarely adapt one to the other."
The song Me Abandono a Ti/Mi Abbandono a Te - the 11th and last track of Laura Pausini's upcoming album "Resta In Ascolto" was written by Madonna and Rick Nowels with the original title Like a Flower, and was then adapted to Italian and Spanish by Laura herself.
Rupert blasts 'bossy' Elton
Source: The Mirror - 7 October 2004Luvvie Rupert Everett has branded Sir Elton John "very bossy and cranky" following the singer's bad-tempered outburst against Madonna.
Rupert, who starred with the Material Girl in The Next Best Thing, made his comments after Elton blasted Madge for miming on tour.
The actor said: "I don't understand what he's got against her. Any singer who dances like that will understand you don't have the breath to sing all the time. Everyone knows that. It's unfair to make it a point.
If you do a heavy dance routine, at some point you're going to do a bit of lip-synch. She sings everything she can but if she goes into a dance routine then she has got to dance. You can't breathe and dance and sing at the same time. She doesn't lip-synch her whole set.
He's very bossy these days, I think. I mean he's lovely but he is a bit bossy - and he does seem a bit cranky."
Hmm. Elton "a bit cranky". Isn't that like saying the Pope's "a bit of a Catholic"?
Elton John bad mouths Madonna accusing her of being lip-sync queen
Source: AFP - 5 October 2004Elton John launched a scathing verbal attack on Madonna during an award ceremony in which he accused her of cheating her fans by lip-synching on stage.
Attending the Q Awards in central London late Monday to collect a prize for his songwriting, Elton, 56, was incensed to find the Queen of Pop had been nominated for best live act.
Taking to the stage, Sir Elton blasted: "Madonna - best f------ live act? F--- off.
"Since when has lip-synching been live?" he asked. "Anyone who lip-synchs in public on stage when you pay 75 pounds (134 dollars, 109 euros) to see them should be shot."
He ended his rant by saying: "That's me off her f------ Christmas card list but do I give a toss? No."
Madonna, nominated for her Reinvention tour, did not clinch the award -- that honour went to British band Muse.
Monday's outburst at the Grosvenor House Hotel came after another in Taiwan last month, when John branded Taiwanese photographers "rude, vile pigs" in an airport bust-up.
Madonna's US spokeswoman Liz Rosenberg flatly rejected John's accusations, saying in a statement: "Madonna does not lip-synch nor does she spend her time trashing other artists.
"She sang every note of her Reinvention tour live and is not ashamed that she was well paid for her hard work."
And the 46-year-old star showed she was not taking Sir Elton's remarks too seriously. "Elton John remains on her Christmas card list whether he is nice... or naughty," the statement added.
Madonna's Reinvention tour, replete with pumping dance routines and yoga displays, came to Britain in August. It has attracted criticism for its pricey tickets -- seats cost a minimum of 75 pounds, going up to 160 pounds for prime spots.
Laura Pausini records song written by Madonna
3 October 2004Italian singer Laura Pausini admitted she feels very satisfied to have recorded a song written by Queen of Pop Madonna about spirituality, that is included on her forthcoming album Resta in Ascolto/Escucha Atento
"Madonna wanted to give one of her compositions to a person that usually doesn't sing in English and the fact that I'm Italian like her and that I sing in Spanish like she also does, in a language she adores... I think that's what has bonded us together in music", Pausini told yesterday a South American newspaper.
The song Pausini recorded is called Mi abbandono a te/Me abandono a ti and features some changes to the original Madonna song. Changes made by the Italian singer herself that were submitted to the Queen of Pop by e-mail as the two didn't have the time to meet in person yet.
Laura's new album also includes a song dedicated to the story of the Ali Smain, the Iraqui kid that lost both parents and both his arms after when a bomb was dropped on his house in Bagdad. "I would like that people would go on the internet and read his story", said Pausini. "Some many things happened to this child and my songs talk about a kid, a soldier and an eagle."
Mi abbandono a te/Me abandono a ti, a song produced by Rick Nowels is rumoured to be a new version of the famous (among Madonna diehard fans) song Like a Flower, that leaked on the internet a year ago in a demo version beautifully sung by Madonna herself in 1998, during the sessions of the Ray of Light album.
Caresse denies tour extension
3 October 2004A few days ago we reported the rumours about a possible extension of the tour, but warned for the unlikelyness of the story. Now Caresse Henry has explicitly denied these rumours. The Re-Invention Tour is over; live the memories.
X-STaTIC PRO=CeSS in London
Source: Madonna.com - 3 October 2004Steven Klein and Madonna's X-STaTIC PRO=CeSS exhibition will be on show in London from 15-30 October at Scout gallery. The gallery sent this press release:
This collaborative project between Madonna and renowned New York photographer Steven Klein was based around the loose narrative of 'a performer in her rehersal space where she creates and brings her ideas to life or death'. Scout will be screening the film and also showing editioned photographs not seen before in the UK that capture this idea of the creative process.
Scout Gallery
1-3 Mundy Street (off Hoxton Square)
London N1 6QT
X STATiC PRO=CeSS Steven Klein
15th - 30th October, 2004
Tuesday-Saturday 12 - 5pm - (Also open for FRIEZE Sunday 17th October)
For more information visit scoutgallery.com
Madonna brands university rumours 'rubbish'
Source: ContactMusic - 3 October 2004Pop queen Madonna has slammed claims she's enrolled at Britain's prestigious Oxford University to study English Literature . The Material Girl had reportedly signed up for a "distance learning programme" over the internet, but the celebrated institution's spokesman insists they have not accepted the singer and don't provide online degree courses.
Madonna's agent says, "As far as I know, this is rubbish." Oxford University's spokesman adds, "We don't actually do online degree courses, so there can't be any truth in this."
Madonna's clothing regret
Source: ContactMusic - 3 October 2004Pop superstar Madonna has one regret about her new clothing line the English Roses Collection - she's too old to wear it.
The Material Girl recently launched the line, based on her children's books, and the mother-of-two says she'd love to be able to wear some of the items herself.
She says, "I wish I was eight years old again and could fit into an English Roses outfit. I have tried to squeeze into one of my daughter's shirts and I looked ridiculous. No fair!"
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