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Madonna news - Sep. 2007
← Aug. 2007 | Oct. 2007 →
Sing, my sister, sing!
30 September 2007Annie Lennox's fourth solo album Songs of Mass Destruction, which is already out in several European countries, features the track Sing recorded with 23 women, including Madonna, who sings a whole verse in it. The HIV/Aids anthem is supposed to be released as a single in December.
Click here to read the lyrics of Sing!
You can order Songs of Mass Destruction via Amazon, out in the US on Tuesday, October 2nd. Read about Annie Lennox & her campaign for the fight against Aids here.
Madonna to work with Elton John? *rumour*
Source: AZcentral - 29 September 2007Elton John and Madonna are set to collaborate on a new record to mark their recent reconciliation.
Elton, who recently apologized for accusing Madonna of lip-synching during her world tour, now hopes they can work together in the recording studio.
He is quoted as saying, "Madonna is a great artiste and I think I shoot my mouth off too much really. Who wouldn't want to work with her?"
A music insider said, "If Elton and Madonna did decide to work together, anything they recorded would be a sure-fire hit. Let's hope they really have managed to put their differences behind them for good."
Elton and Madonna revealed they had healed their rift at GQ magazine's Men of the Year Awards earlier this month.
As he introduced Madonna at the ceremony, Elton said, "This is a moment you thought you'd never see".
Elton and Madonna then hugged, before he added, "I have written a grovelling apology and offered to join the Kabbalah!"
Madonna nominated for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!
Source: MTV.com - 28 September 2007Take a bow, Madonna, and ch-ch-check it out, Beastie Boys — you've been nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
In addition to Madge and the Beasties, hip-hop pioneer Afrika Bambaataa, veteran rocker John Mellencamp, disco queen Donna Summer, jazz/funk band Chic, English-beat group the Dave Clark Five, surf instrumentalists the Ventures and moody singer/songwriter Leonard Cohen are also up for the high honor, it was announced Thursday (September 27).
While nine artists are being considered for inclusion into the Hall, five will be honored at the induction ceremony, to be held March 10 at New York's Waldorf-Astoria Hotel.
Around the same time this year, R.E.M., Van Halen and Grandmaster Flash were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, with Jay-Z, Eddie Vedder and others helping do the honors.
To be eligible for nomination this year, an artist must have issued their first single or LP no later than 1982.
It was that year, in fact, that Madonna signed a singles deal with Sire Records and put out her first tune, Everybody, on April 24. Making a huge impact in the clubs as well as on MTV — which launched a year earlier — she became the top female performer of the '80s — and eventually, according to Guinness World Records, the most successful female artist of all time.
While Madge was revving up her career in 1982, so were the Beasties Boys — although at the time, they were a hardcore-punk band (previously named the Young Aborigines), not a hip-hop troupe. The NYC act issued its punk EP, Polly Wog Stew, that year — but then, with the help of producer Rick Rubin, the Boys Entering Anarchistic States Towards Internal Excellence made the transition into a rap unit. And the rest, they say, is history.
For years, the Beasties have been fighting for their right to party — now they, Madonna and others are fighting for a chance to get into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Natasha Bedingfield's newfound respect for Madonna
Source: Contactmusic - 27 September 2007Natasha Bedingfield has newfound respect for Madonna after she struggled covering the Queen of Pop's hit song Ray Of Light. The pretty British singer tackled the 1998 song for an album celebrating Radio 1's 40th birthday.
She says, "I have so much respect for Madonna after learning how hard it is to sing that song. She has an amazing voice - the range you need to sing the song is incredible."
Bernhard's lesbian flick with Madonna was a wind-up
Source: Contactmusic - 27 September 2007Actress-comedienne Sandra Bernhard has finally come clean about her alleged love affair with Madonna - it was all made up. The pair became friends in the late 1980s and their increasing closeness sparked rumours of something more.
But despite being purely platonic, the 52-year-old Roseanne star - who 'came out' as a lesbian several years ago - enjoyed every minute of the speculation.
She says, "I don't mind being asked about Madonna. It was awesome at the time. We had a really funny friendship and kind of played with the press and the media. "It was before the internet and there was still a little bit of allure and excitement and fun to it."
Madonna & Rolling Stones achieve Guiness World Records
Source: Undercover - 27 September 2007 A week after topping the Forbes Music Rich List for the last financial year, the Rolling Stones have been officially accredited as having performed the world's most successful music tour.
The Guinness World Record came for the band's 'A Bigger Bang' world tour, which earned them $437 million since kicking off in 2005.
Madonna won the ladies' prize, her $200 million-grossing Confessions tour making her the world's most successful female touring artist.
This year's edition of the Guinness Book Of World Records comes out on Friday.
Annie Lennox thanks charitable Madonna
Source: Contactmusic - 26 September 2007Grammy winner Annie Lennox has thanked Madonna for her support in raising awareness of Aids in South Africa. The former Eurythmics star was thrilled with The Material Girl's contribution to the starstudded charity track 'Sing', which raises funds for South Africa's Treatment Action Campaign.
She says, "It was really cool of her. "Madonna has a huge audience and her involvement will help to spread with word wider."
~ Annie's album 'Songs Of Mass Destruction' is out worldwide next week, while the track 'Sing' is set to be released as a single in December.
Something to remember: She's gonna take you to a place you've never been before
25 September 2007 
Madonna embarked on her fourth concert tour 14 years ago today, on September 25th, 1993. Named after an Edward Hopper painting, The Girlie Show saw Madonna performing tracks off her recent Erotica album, along with older hits, all of them re-invented.
The show started with a half-naked female dancer slithering down on a pole and then Madonna arriving onstage as Dita with a riding crop, singing the title track of Erotica.
Quickly after she went interracial with an Asian and a black guy in Fever and then a re-invented Vogue followed with an Eastern-inspired choreography. Throughout the concert, Madonna paid homage to the Disco of the 1970s, several Hollywood movies and stars, including Marlene Dietrich, Gene Kelly, Carmen Miranda, My Fair Lady.
The latter was the base of a staggering choreography for the sexy Justify My Love, plus Madonna paid homage to the then-recently deceased Dietrich with performing her signature track Like A Virgin in German accent and full male drag.
The show is also notable for a pansexual Studio 54-esque orgy during the middle of the show, followed by a speech about Aids. Madonna kicked off the live trek in London, because according to her, that's where she had had the most enemies at the time.
The concert from Sydney, Australia is available on DVD which perfectly captures the over-the-top performance. The tour is also remembered for having very few dates in Europe & North America, and focusing on South America, Japan & Australia instead, an itineary Madonna hasn't repeated since then.
Madge gearing up for 50 & new tour? *rumour*
Source: NY Post - 24 September 2007There's something about the number 50 that does it for Mrs. Guy Ritchie. Her tour last year was 50 [60 actually ~ Mad-Eyes] dates. As we speak, let it be known that Her Very Own Self is gearing for yet another concert tour. The schlep now in the planning stage is to be called "Madonna at 50."
Madonna awaits adoption decision
Source: ITN - 24 September 2007Malawian officials say it is still too early to say if superstar Madonna will be given full custody of toddler David Banda.
The little boy has been living with the singer and husband Guy Ritchie for nearly a year. Meanwhile, there is growing speculation that the star is planning to adopt another orphan from the country - a 13-month-old girl called Mercy, whose mum died five days after giving birth.
A Malawian government official from the Ministry of Women and Child Welfare visited the singer at her home in central London.
Maxwell Matewere, executive director for the leading Malawi child advocacy group The Eye of the Child, said: "What we think could happen is that the guardian Ad Litem, who is the Ministry of Women and Child Development...would present the report to the court so that the court could use that report to determine whether Madonna could be granted the final order."
Mr Matewere stressed the final decision could only be given by the courts and the Ministry of Women and Child Welfare could not dictate or work independently from the court.
Madonna's £50m to ditch record company
Source: Sunday Mirror - 23 September 2007Madonna is planning to dump her record company because she makes more money performing live.
The singer is close to signing a £50million contract with her tour promoters Live Nation - to cover her concert AND her record releases.
She is expected to walk away from Warner Music, who have released all her singles and albums throughout her 25-year career.
The new arrangement will send another shockwave through the major record labels who keep losing big names to other businesses.
A senior music industry figure explained: "This is a sign of the times. At this stage in her career Madonna realises she stands to make more money from touring - £130million on her last tour - than releasing records. So she wants to go with a company that can look after both rather than being tied to a record company."
The source added: "With the internet, you don't need to be a record company to release records any more. The era of the big record labels controlling artists' careers is coming to an end."
Madonna, 49, follows Paul McCartney and Prince who have both walked away from their record labels. Macca quit his long-term label EMI last year to sign with Starbucks, who are selling his new album Memory Almost Full in their coffee shops.
And Prince decided to give away copies of his current album free with every ticket he sold for his recent 21 dates at London's O2 Dome.
Madonna is worth an estimated £160million. She has sold 175million albums and 75million singles worldwide. Her first [UK] No1 was Into The Groove in 1985, her last was Sorry in 2006. Her last tour, Confessions, was in 2006.
~ We'd like to point out that this contract is rumoured to be delayed, because Madonna still owes Warner a studio album and a compilation and those are supposedly delayed till next year...
Live Earth CD/DVD to be released in November
23 September 2007While the CD/DVD of the Live Earth concert was meant to be released next week, now it's pushed back to a November 12th as a worldwide release date.
The Madonna track on the CD is going to be the theme song Hey You, while it's La Isla Bonita with Gogol Bordello that finds a place on the DVD.
Akon to shock the world with Madonna
19 September 2007MTV.com published an interview with mega-producer Akon, who raves about working with huge musical icons: Madonna, Michael Jackson & Whitney Houston.
The only mention of Madonna is: While 'Kon hasn't been in the studio with Madonna yet, he said he expects to "shock the world" with her Madge-esty before the end of the year.
While this is an official confirmation that Madonna also wants Akon's sound on her next album, we don't know if "the end of they year" is going to materialize or not...
Something to remember: Hey Mr. DJ, put my record on
19 September 2007 
7 years ago today, on September 19th, 2000, Madonna released the studio album with the straightforward title: Music. After the hugely successful Ray Of Light, she took the electronica style further and recorded the bulk of the album with underground French electronica artist Mirwais Ahmadzaï. The record - which was centered around the cowgirl image - features fan favourites Music, Impressive Instant, Don't Tell Me & Paradise (Not For Me).
Madonna also collaborated with Ray Of Light mastermind William Orbit and with Guy Sigsworth. After the title track, the second single was Don't Tell Me, originally written by Madonna's brother-in-law Joe Henry, and the third and last single was What It Feels Like For A Girl, for which the video was banned for violence.
Non-US copies of the CD feature the Don McLean cover from The Next Best Thing OST, American Pie, while Australian-Asian editions contain the bonus track Cyber-Raga.
The album was a huge success all over the world, reaching #1 in many countries, eventually selling up to 13 million copies worldwide. In the USA, it sold 420,000 in its first week, which was the fourth highest female debut at the time.
The project was nominated for several Grammy Awards but unfortunately it lost in all categories except 'Best Recording Package', handed to Kevin Reagan, which he also won for his work on Ray Of Light.
Peace song to be included in next album
Source: Ynetnews.com - 16 September 2007"Tell me what I should do, Mr Peres, because I am in love with Israel," pop star Madonna, who is visiting the Jewish state to attend a conference on Kabbalah, told President Shimon Peres on Saturday evening.
The pop star was seen entering Peres' Jerusalem residence after the end of the Jewish New Year at sunset Saturday.
In the meeting, which lasted longer than scheduled, Peres spoke about peace and tolerance, the war on terror and ways in which international artists and celebrities can take part in advancing the peace process.
"I can't believe I have won this opportunity to raise a toast for the New Year in the state of Israel of all places, with the president who I admire so much," Madonna said.
The pop star promised to be active in promoting the issues Peres referred to and said she would include a song about peace in her next album.
"You don’t know how popular the Book of Splendor (Sefer Hazohar) is among Hollywood actors," Madonna told the president. "Everyone I meet talks to me only about that. I am an ambassador for Judaism, and time will tell."
Talking about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Madonna said, "What is happening is terrible. I hope the human mind and common sense overcome extremism."
Madonna gave Peres the Book of Splendor with the dedication, "To Shimon Peres, the man I admire and love, Madonna."
Madonna: "I'm an ambassador for Judaism"
Source: AP via Yahoo - 16 September 2007Madonna toasted the Jewish new year with Israeli President Shimon Peres and declared herself an "ambassador for Judaism," local newspapers reported Sunday.
The singer, who is not Jewish, arrived in Israel Wednesday on the eve of Jewish new year to attend a conference on Kabbalah or Jewish mysticism.
Madonna met Peres at his official Jerusalem residence on Saturday evening and the two exchanged gifts, with Madonna receiving a lavishly bound copy of the Old Testament.
She gave Peres a volume of "The Book of Splendor," the guiding text of Kabbalah, inscribed "To Shimon Peres, the man I admire and love, Madonna," the Yediot Ahronot daily reported.
A Peres aide confirmed the meeting but had no details.
"You don't know how popular the Book of Splendor is among Hollywood actors," Yediot quoted Madonna as telling Peres. "Everyone I meet talks to me only about that. I am an ambassador for Judaism."
Madonna, who was raised a Roman Catholic, has taken the Hebrew name Esther, and has been seen wearing a red thread on her wrist in a Jewish tradition to ward off the evil eye.
But her interest in Kabbalah in recent years has been criticized by Orthodox Jews, who say it is an abomination.
Other celebrities who flew in for the Kabbalah conference included movie star Demi Moore and her husband, actor AshtonKutcher, Rosie O'Donnell and fashion designer Donna Karan. Madonna came with her film director husband Guy Ritchie.
The Haaretz daily quoted Kutcher as telling a group of Israeli businessmen and entertainers on Saturday that Kabbalah had answered fundamental questions in his life and made him a better actor.
Rabbis who specialize in Kabbalah have criticized the interest by non-Jewish celebrities in the subject.
Jewish tradition holds that Kabbalah is so powerful and complicated that only bonafide students may begin to approach it and then only after age 40. Among the elements of Kabbalah are mystical revelations drawn from holy books by recombination of letters and other signs.
Rabbis were particularly incensed by Madonna's song, Isaac, about the revered 16th-century Kabbalist rabbi Yitzhak Luria, which featured on her 2005 album, Confessions On A Dance Floor.
During her visit, Madonna plans to visit sites sacred to Kabbalists. It was not known how long she intends to stay.
Madonna paid her first visit to Israel three years ago on another Kabbalah-centered trip.
"I can't believe that I'm celebrating the new year with you in Israel," Maariv newspaper quoted her as telling Peres on Saturday. "It's a dream come true."
Madonna the "perfect mum" keeps her baby
Source: Sunday Mirror - 16 September 2007Madonna has been given the all-clear to formally adopt African tot David by the head of Malawi's Social Services.
The singer, 49, and husband Guy Ritchie played perfect parents to impress Malawi's chief social welfare officer Simon Chisale, who spent three days as a guest at their 16-bedroom London home.
Afterwards he said he was won over by their domestic bliss - especially when Madonna appeared from the kitchen wearing an apron fresh from baking cakes "looking like a perfect mum".
Mr Chisale visited over a 72-hour period with Madonna, Guy, 38, and their children Lourdes, 10, Rocco, seven, and two-year-old David.
He saw Madonna's music studio and Guy's study and also a special African "zoo room" which she has built to educate her children about David's continent.
He described the luxury carpets in their home as "like walking on live sheep".
Now he has returned to Malawi and drafted a glowing report which will clear the way for Madonna to complete the formal adoption of David.
Madonna and Guy - who have been through a rough patch - turned on the domestic charm to prove to the welfare officer that David has a secure family life.
Mr Chisale was delighted to discover just how far the family have gone to make David feel at home.
As well as the "zoo room" Lourdes and Madonna have even learned how to speak David's native Chichewa tongue.
The welfare chief, who arrived back in Malawi last week, told colleagues he was impressed with how David had bonded with the Ritchies.
And he was delighted to find a a butler waiting for him at the front door. He said: "He saluted and said 'Mr Chisale, I presume'.
"I found Guy in the sitting room. Madonna was in the kitchen. Guy said, 'The visitor is here!' Madonna came through wiping her hands with a towel.
"David was playing a card game with Rocco. Madonna told me he understands a bit of Chichewa and she fetched some tourist guide books to Malawi.
"She told me she has Malawian friends who pop in to teach the family Chichewa. She also has a Chichewa translation of her children's book, The English Roses."
Mr Chisale was taken to meet Madonna's daughter Lourdes - who greeted him in his African language saying: "Muli bwanji ankolo?"
"It means 'How are you uncle.' I laughed, I was amazed," he said. "She told me she had been in Malawi with her mum and David.
"When David heard her voice, he left the card game and walked to her.
She carried her on her back like we do in Africa.
"Mr Ritchie served coffee as we chatted. Lourdes asked lots of questions until her mum stopped her.
"They seem like a happy family, although the husband never said much, he was always on the phone or buried in anewspaper.
"David looked very healthy, very different from the frail little boy from Mchinji. I couldn't believe I was seeing the same little baby from the orphanage."
Then Madonna showed Mr Chisale the African-themed room which she described as a "zoo room". He said: "She told me it's for the kids - not only David - to be familiar with the beautiful continent of Africa."
A colleague of Simon's continued: "He said the boy looked healthy and happy, and much bigger than an average Malawian boy his age."
Mr Chisale's report is still in the draft stage, but a senior government official who has seen it said the document will be very favourable.
The source added: "Simon's report says David feels completely at home with his new family. Although everyone around him is white, the little boy has bonded well."
Another colleague told how Mr Chisale was impressed with the luxury David is now enjoying. He said: "He said he was amazed with the carpet he walked on. He said it felt like walking on a live sheep.
"When he first arrived he was ushered to a big living room by a worker in white. Mr Ritchie was reading a newspaper and Madonna was in the kitchen. He greeted Simon and called his wife.
"She came with a white apron on. She must have been baking something. She said hello and then went to the bedroom to change."
According to the official who has seen Mr Chisale's draft report, David goes to a very expensive nursery school. And Madonna spoke of her hopes for Malawi. The official continued: "She is pumping millions of dollars into orphanages and care centres, including her own outside the capital, Lilongwe, where children will be taught her Kabbalah beliefs."
Simon told his workmates there was no sign of any tension between Madonna and Guy. He said: "She told me Guy was her unofficial manager.
She doesn't go on tour without his approval and she has even cancelled dates to be with him."
And Madonna spoke about her mystical Jewish faith Kabbalah. Mr Chisale added: "She said it's good for David, for Malawian children, because it keeps you at peace with God."
And she inquired about David's family. He said: "She asked me about Yohane Banda, how he was keeping. She told me she would make it a point to see him when she next visits Malawi."
Unbeknown to Madonna and Mr Chisale, tragedy struck David's family on the same day as the inspector called.
David's real father Yohane and his new wife Flora were mourning the still-birth of their new baby. Yohane, 33, who lives hand to mouth with Flora and her daughter in the tiny mud hut village of Lipunga, gave David to an orphanage when his mother Marita died from complications after giving birth to him.
Mr Chisale's visit continued: "We talked about several issues, her music, her husband's films. I have listened to her earlier music but I am afraid I haven't watched Mr Ritchie's films."
Madonna was granted an 18-month interim adoption order to take David out of the country in October last year. After a second home visit in December, a report will be filed before a High Court judge by the February 2008 deadline.
But the senior official said: "The adoption is as good as complete - she will have her boy, the rest is a formality. We are all convinced Madonna should keep the boy."
Madonna meets with Israeli president
Source: AP via Yahoo - 16 September 2007Madonna met with Israel's president Saturday during a visit to attend a conference on Kabbalah, the Jewish mystical sect she has embraced despite criticism from Orthodox Jews.
The pop star was seen entering Shimon Peres' home in Jerusalem with husband Guy Ritchie after the end of the Jewish New Year at sunset Saturday. The Nobel Peace laureate gave Madonna a copy of the Old Testament that she had requested, Israeli TV reported.
On Friday, Madonna was filmed singing Jewish songs and dancing at a conference on Kabbalah with a crowd of hundreds at a Tel Aviv hotel.
Madonna, who arrived in the Holy Land on Wednesday, has become a follower of Kaballah in recent years despite her background as a Roman Catholic. Orthodox Jews have called her interest in the sect an abomination.
The singer has taken the Hebrew name Esther, and has been seen wearing a red thread on her wrist in a Jewish tradition to ward off the evil eye. During her visit she plans to visit sites sacred to Kabbalists.
Madonna arrived in Israel
Source: AP Photo/AP Television News - 14 September 2007Pop star Madonna joins with other devotees of Kabbalah, a Jewish form of mysticism, at a Tel Aviv, Israel, hotel on Thursday, Sept. 13, 2007, on the occasion of the Jewish New Year. Madonna, who wore a shiny black zipper jacket and a red hat with a plaid brim, is attending a Kabbalah conference during a private visit to the Holy Land. The singer, who arrived in Israel on Wednesday night, did not speak to the media.
Madonna was raised a Roman Catholic, but she has become a follower of Jewish mysticism in recent years, raising the ire of many Orthodox Jews who see the adoption of Kabbalah by non-Jewish pop figures as an abomination. The singer has taken the Hebrew name Esther, and has been seen wearing a red thread on her wrist to ward off the evil eye. During her visit she plans to visit sites sacred to Kabbalists.
DJ warned by Warner for playing Candy Shop?
Source: GaySocialites.com - 13 September 2007I heard that New York City nightclub DJ Steve Sidewalk has been slapped with a cease and desist from Madonna's people and Warner Brothers after he debuted a leaked version of one of her future tracks.
Sidewalk played the Material Girl's upcoming song Candy Shop for Hot Mess on Sunday at Porky's in NYC in what he called a "world premiere."
As it turns out, Warner Brothers isn't ready to premiere the song. I also heard that Steve Sidewalk is going to issue at public apology to Madonna and Warner Brothers. I can't wait! This is going to be good humorous.
Madonna's new English Roses book series launches today
Source: Marketwire via Yahoo - 13 September 2007"The English Roses," the phenomenally successful series of children's books by Madonna, is scheduled to launch a new series of chapter books on September 13, 2007 aimed at the "tween" market of readers aged 9-12, it was announced today by Puffin Books, the series publisher in association with Callaway Arts & Entertainment.
The first four titles, which continue the adventures of five best friends living in London, are illustrated in a highly decorative, whimsical style by renowned fashion artist Jeffrey Fulvimari, who illustrated the original best-selling children's book of the same title (Callaway, 2003).
The first four of twelve books -- Friends for Life!, Good-Bye, Grace?, The New Girl and A Rose by Any Other Name (Puffin/Callaway; Hardcover Fiction; $9.99; 128 pages) -- chronicle Nicole, Amy, Charlotte, Grace and Binah's adventures in the sixth grade. Throughout the series, the English Roses will have crushes, survive family feuds, make new friends, and overcome rivalries.
The world of the English Roses will continue online at www.myenglishroses.net, where tweens can play interactive games, take quizzes, read horoscopes, download screensavers, and enjoy many other activities. In addition, "members-only" sections of the site will be accessible by using secret codes from membership cards found in all four books.
Madonna, a best-selling children's book author with six titles in the last three years ("The English Roses" [2003], "Mr. Peabody's Apples" [2003], "Yakov and the Seven Thieves" [2004], "The Adventures of Abdi" [2004], "Lotsa de Casha" [2005], and "The English Roses: Too Good to Be True" [2006]), has collectively sold three million books across 42 languages and 100 different countries.
The first English Roses picture book debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list and sold over 1 million copies worldwide. Doug Whiteman, President of Penguin Young Readers Group, comments, "Madonna demonstrated in 2003 that she knows how to connect with kids through great stories and great characters. We are delighted to be part of this ongoing program, and can't wait to bring 'The English Roses' to a whole new audience."
Nicholas Callaway, Founder and Publisher of Callaway Arts & Entertainment, says, "Madonna knows girls. As one of the entertainment, cultural and fashion icons of our age, she will now take a new generation of girls on a great adventure in the life and times of the English Roses."
All of Madonna's proceeds from "The English Roses" series will be donated to Raising Malawi (www.raisingmalawi.org), an orphan-care initiative.
Madonna Ritchie was born in Bay City, MI. She has recorded 17 albums, appeared in 18 movies, and written six children's books. She lives with her husband, movie director Guy Ritchie, and her three children, Lola, Rocco, and David, in London and Los Angeles.
Her name is still Dita
Source: Daily Mail - 12 September 2007When Guy Ritchie wed Madonna in 2000, he must have known what he was in for - she was never known for her restraint, afterall.
And seven years on, the singer's mischievous sense of humour towards him shows no sign of abating.
Celebrating his 39th birthday at London's fashionable Claridges restaurant, the singer chose to whip out from under the table a present which would have made most husbands turn puce.
Friends of the couple have said that in their marriage they have argued a number of times about who really wears the trousers.
For all his mockney posturings, Guy has always felt slightly inferior about his wife's massive earning power and domineering nature. Madonna on the other hand is said to enjoy occasionally bating him on that point. And this latest birthday gift - a strap-on - is, it seems, no exception.
What is for sure it that such a gift given to Guy by Madonna can only have been meant to make light of the rows over about who really takes charge in their marriage.
By the way Madonna is carrying the gift - unusually in a transparent bag - as the couple leave the Mayfair hotel and restaurant, one might assume that Guy had refused to be seen leaving with it.
And the singer clearly relished that point as she flashed a broad smile to photographers who she must have known laid in wait since they had followed her earlier from the family home.
All of which behaviour might seem rather childish when taken in isolation. But it came after a few months during which they have been careful not be appear too frivolous in public - for fear of that being looked down on by the Malawian government officials deciding whether they would be allowed permanently adopt baby David Banda.
The Mail has learned that over the weekend, the couple were told the good news that they will be able to keep the youngster. They received the news after a home visit by an African adoption official described as "as well-choreographed as a dance number on her world tour".
Malawi's child welfare minister Simon Chisale spent three days in London last week, but spent just 40 minutes at Madonna's £6 million Marylebone home on Wednesday afternoon.
As source close to the singer said: "It went like clockwork. When he arrived, Madonna appeared to be surprised. She was in the kitchen in an apron and a 50s style-dress baking fresh bread and gingerbread men like a domestic goddess. The day before she had gone through how the oven worked with the chef.
"Next it was on to her study to talk about her career. Across the walls were pictures of her with everyone and the discs celebrating her record sales and the awards.
"She spoke about her tours, saying she said she will tour once next in the next five years then after that no more.
"She made it very clear that they would tour as a family unit, and the importance of normality in her children's lives. They are allowed half an hour of TV twice a week, they are not allowed newspapers. She was saying that lots of her friends had little children too so that they would be very good influences.
"She was talking about David's culture and that she would take him back to Malawi twice a year, that she has lots of people of diverse backgrounds in her life."
The source went on: "She then moved down into the den in the house - which is Guy's entertainment room and is decked out like a hunting lodge. That's where she started talking about her ecological plans, her ideas on climate change, and her plans for Malawi.
"She also spoke very movingly about her having success very young in her life and sometimes going off the rails and how kabbalah became such a unifying positive force in her life which made her appreciate other people.
"Over the weekend Madonna had a reassuring phone conversation where she was told that the Malawian authorities were happy about David's progress. He has bonded, he's happy and healthy. David is staying with the Ritchies, though there will be a further follow-up visit later in the year."
Something to remember: She tasted her fears
11 September 2007Six years ago today, Madonna was due to perform her Drowned World show in LA, but the show got postponed after several terrorist attacks against New York City & Washington. The September 11th show was rescheduled on the 15th, and along with the shows on the 13th and 14th, she made several changes during the concerts.
She wore a US flag kilt for the punk/rock segment of the show, didn't shoot the evil spirit at the end of Mer Girl and walked offstage together with him. Most importantly, instead of the macabre Oh Dear Daddy she took the time on each night to pay tribute to the victims of the attacks and gave strength & inspiration for everyone to overcome the nightmare...
Madonna jets to Israel for Jewish festival
Source: ContactMusic - 11 September 2007Pop superstar Madonna is planning a mass Kabbalah pilgrimage to Israel to mark the Jewish New Year. The singer will be joined by fellow followers Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher and 2,000 pilgrims for a ten day study at a holy site in Jerusalem.
The 49-year-old will travel by private jet with husband Guy Ritchie and children Lourdes, 10, Rocco, seven, and 22-month-old David in time for the beginning of the festival on Wednesday (12Sep07).
Madonna berates Bloc Party bodyguard
Source: ContactMusic - 11 September 2007Madonna once threatened to "kill" Bloc Party's security guards after they put her in a headlock and frogmarched out of a concert. Bloc Party frontman Kele Okereke says the pop superstar visited their dressing room backstage at the London leg of the Live Earth concert earlier this year (07), only to be tackled by their security staff.
He says, "She's a super-huge fan. But our tour manager is this guy from Scotland who doesn't know much about popular culture.
"So when she came in, he alerted security and security dragged her out. In a headlock. It was really surreal, and everyone stopped speaking. "And all we could hear is Madonna cursing and saying she's gonna kill these guys. She's really tough because of all that Pilates that she does, so she got out of the headlock quite easily."
Candy Shop leaks
10 September 2007A second Madonna song has leaked in its entirety. Earlier, we'd heard small snippets of Candy Shop, another song produced by Pharrell Williams. The download link can be found on this blog. Lyrics of Candy Shop are available here.
Chart Beat: Will Madonna move up?
7 September 2007Billboard's Fred Bronson in Chart Beat Chat discusses Madonna's total of Hot 100 entries, and her position among female artists:
Dear Fred,
I'm a big fan of Dionne Warwick. In a marketing campaign for her concert, she was billed as the female artist with the second highest number of Hot 100 hits. I've always thought that title belongs to Madonna. I did a little research and was shocked to find out that it was true and Madonna wasn't even in third place. Connie Francis is tied with Dionne.
Can you kindly give me a rundown of the top female artists with the most Hot 100 hits? As a bigger fan of Madonna, I'm hoping with the release of her new album, she will be No. 2.
Kirby Go
Vancouver, Canada
Dear Kirby,
The solo female artist with the most Hot 100 hits is Aretha Franklin, who has scored 76 chart entries between 1961 and 1998. By some strange coincidence, her 76th song to chart, "Here We Go Again," peaked at No. 76.
You're right about Dionne Warwick and Connie Francis being tied for second place, with 56 chart entries each. Connie collected her 56 songs between 1957 and 1969. Dionne ran up her total of 56 chart entries between 1962 and 1998.
Since Dionne and Connie are tied for second place, we skip down to fourth place, where Madonna has 52 chart entries (Brenda Lee appears to have 52 chart entries, but only if you count her Christmas perennial "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" three times. Since it was a re-entry the second and third time around, Lee's official total is 50).
You've probably already done the math -- Madonna needs five more Hot 100 songs to land in second place, a feat certainly within her reach. We'll have to wait and see if she can do it with one album or two.
~ Check out our charts page to see the 52 Madonna singles that entered the US Billboard Hot 100.
Malawian official visits Madonna
Source: AP via Yahoo - 6 September 2007Malawi's chief social welfare official has paid a visit to Madonna's London home, part of a long-delayed assessment into whether the pop idol can adopt a little boy from the Southern African country.
Simon Chisale was spotted leaving the singer's home Wednesday afternoon clutching a blue binder, but he refused to comment and attempted to hide his face when approached by The Associated Press.
Chisale is due to file a report on the suitability of Madonna and husband Guy Ritchie as adoptive parents for toddler David Banda, who was plucked from a Malawian orphanage during a visit there by Madonna last autumn.
In October, Madonna and Ritchie were granted temporary custody of David, then 13 months old, but that could be revoked if it were found that David was being treated differently from their other children or if the toddler's rights were being violated in any way.
The assessment originally was to have been made by Penston Kilembe, the director of Malawi's Child Welfare Services. However, he was removed from the case following allegations that he had solicited money from the singer for his trip to London.
The removal sparked renewed concern that the singer had used her wealth and celebrity status to speed David's adoption.
Kilembe has denied any wrongdoing, and in a statement earlier this week Madonna said there had been no interference with government officials.
Peter Rauhofer mentions 'Best Of Remixes'
6 September 2007Fansite DrownedMadonna had a chat with famous DJ Peter Rauhofer regarding the long-rumoured Madonna remix compilation:
Here's what he said about it: "10 times scheduled always postponed and now AGAIN postponed," "Hahaha.. I think she prefers more to do new albums than 'Best of’s'."
Madonna working with Akon?
5 September 2007MTV.com gave a hint at Madonna's supposed next collaborator, hip hop producer Akon: "Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Madonna and Whitney Houston: With all those legends lined up to either finish collaborations or get in the studio for the first time with Akon [...]".
Akon is currently enjoying success with his own solo hits but he's also responsible for Gwen Stefani's huge hit 'The Sweet Escape' from her sophomore album with the same name, earlier this year. And a few months ago Akon said he's on to produce Whitney Houston's comeback hit, which will be her biggest ever, according to himself.
Liz: celebrity not used for adoption
Source: AP - 5 September 2007Madonna has not used her celebrity status to speed the adoption of a boy from Malawi, the singer's spokeswoman said Tuesday.
Madonna's effort to adopt toddler David Banda came under the spotlight Monday, when the Malawian official scheduled to go to London to assess the adoption was removed from the case following allegations he had solicited money from the singer for his trip.
The dismissal breathed new life into allegations that the singer used her celebrity status to circumvent Malawian adoption laws - allegations she denies.
"There has been absolutely no interference with government officials or use of Madonna's celebrity to speed up this adoption as reported," spokeswoman Liz Rosenberg said in an e-mail. "The plans to finalize the adoption of Madonna and (her husband) Guy Ritchie's son David are proceeding as outlined almost a year ago."
In October, Madonna and Ritchie were granted temporary custody of David, then 13 months old.
A report is expected to be filed before the Malawian courts in the capital Lilongwe by the February 2008 deadline for a judge to determine whether Madonna and her husband are suitable adoptive parents.
The couple's custody order could be revoked if it is found that David was being treated differently from their other children, Lourdes, 10, and Rocco, 6, or if the toddler's rights were being violated in any way.
Rosenberg expressed confidence that the judge would rule in Madonna's favor, saying the singer's entire family looked forward to having the adoption finalized early next year.
Madonna and Elton make up
Source: Daily Mail) - 5 September 2007Madonna and Sir Elton John have finally called a truce on their high profile feud more than two years after he publicly accused the pop star of lip-synching in an expletive laden outburst.
Introducing the Madonna at this year's GQ Men of the Year Awards in London last night, Sir Elton said: "This is a moment you thought you would never see."
The pair hugged on stage, but the acerbic star couldn't resist a final swipe, adding he had "written a grovelling apology and offered to join the Kabbalah".
At an awards ceremony in 2004, John infamously criticised the singer after she won an award for live performance, saying: ""Madonna, best f***ing live act? F*** off! Since when has lip-synching been live? That's me off her f***ing Christmas card list but do I give a toss? No."
Madonna hit back through a statement issued by her spokesperson, who declared: "Madonna does not lip-synch nor does she spend her time trashing other artists."
The singer, who is still awaiting permission to permanently adopt her third child, left the awards show looking rather worse for wear as she piled into a cab.
Earlier, while handing out the rest of the awards last night, the rest of the guest presenters nothing but complimentary in the extreme.
Justify Your Sexiness
5 September 2007Thepast few weeks, you've all been voting in our poll about the sexiest Madonna look in a video. We carefully selected 12 music videos from all eras of Madonna's career, each with a different sexy Madonna. And according to a clear majority (22%),
Madonna looks sexiest in her 1990 Justify My Love video. It was the video that introduced us to Madonna's upcoming Erotica period, which aimed to push the boundaries of sexuality.
Justify My Love, shot by photographer Jean Baptiste Mondino in the Royal Monceau Hotel in Paris, shows Madonna and her toy boy Tony Ward, as well as a bunch of androgenous characters, all engaging in various erotic acts.
All at once, it visualised several sexual taboos and questioned why they'd be a taboo in the first place. The message at the end can be considered as adressed to a sexual partner, as well as to the establisment and to society in general.
Voters in our poll gave honourable mentions to the recent disco queen in Hung Up (12%), to the serene Madonna in The Power Of Good-Bye (12%), and to the sex bomb in the classic Express Yourself (10%). You can now vote in our new poll: What do you think of The Beat Goes On?
No Madonna releases this year? *rumour*
2 September 2007Fansite DrownedMadonna claims that currently no Madonna releases are scheduled for 2007. The new album seems to be set for early 2008, the 'Best Of Remixes' compilation was cancelled and Warner currently has no plans to release a 25th anniversary box set.
~ We remind you that currently Warner Music has neither confirmed nor denied the release date of the new album or the remix compilation. We keep you updated when more information becomes available.
Vote for Madonna @ EMA
1 September 2007Madonna is running for two nominations at the upcoming MTV EMA, under Best Solo and Best International Act categories. Fans can vote as much as they want so their favourite artists will end up among the nominees.
Click here to enter the page of categories and then select '3) Solo' & '8) Inter Act' to vote for Madonna in the list. The EMAs are going to be in Munich, Germany exactly 2 months from now, on November 1st, 2007.
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