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A Brief Biography of Madonna in the 80s and 90s

© Michele Morabito

Madonna got her big break in 1982 with DJ Mark Kamins when he created a club remix of "Everybody." Warner Brothers Records heard it and signed her. Her first 3 singles, "Holiday," "Lucky Star" and "Borderline" hit the charts.

In 1984, came the memorable Like A Virgin. It catapulted her into superstardom. Closely followed was her "Material Girl" single and video parodying Marilyn Monroe. The title track of the album was her first no. 1 single.

Madonna in the Late 80s

By 1986, True Blue had arrived in stores and again started a controversy with "Papa Don't Preach."  Madonna married actor Sean Penn but after four years and the single "Live To Tell" (also from Penn's movie At Close Range) they divorced.

She also starred in movies, but only two survived the onslaught: Vision Quest and Desperately Seeking Susan. The others all but vanished (Shanghai Surprise).

Madonna's continued with the 1987 with a movie soundtrack of "Who's That Girl?"  This movie and soundtrack was probably one of the rare bad moves for Madonna. Next up in the same year was the "You Can Dance" remix CD.

Rounding off the decade was the Like A Prayer CD. The first single came out with a commotion. Pepsi Cola Co cancelled the sponsorship of her tour due to her video with images of religion and rape. She tamed herself in her next single "Express Yourself."

One of the best songs was "Keep It Together." Madonna continued acting and got another chance in Dick Tracy as well as doing the soundtrack. The single "Vogue" is one of her biggest hits and became the next craze.

Changes in Madonna's Style in the 90s

Madonna improved her dance style around this point in time. Her role in Dick Tracy was a good one for Madonna. The soundtrack bears the beginning of some vocal training.

Musically, Madonna would have been successful without all the gimmicks she had applied. She alternated between a leatherclad dominatrix and a 70s retro girl with her next few CDs (The Immaculate Collection, Erotica, Bedtime Stories) and became larger than life. She released her book Sex and film Truth Or Dare.

Beginning around 1995 she invested her musical time in power ballads and acting in independent films.  She released Something To Remember, her ballad CD, and she went on to star in Evita.

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