The Impact of Madonna and "Like a Virgin"

Inspiring humans around the world since the gate and being the muse to millions - we have artists, designers, professors, writers, critics, producers, feminists, journalists, fans and commentators all chiming in on the importance of Madonna, Like a Virgin and its aftermath.

The Power of Madonna.

Like a Virgin - Promotional Copy - White Vinyl

Some scans of my promotional copy of Like a Virgin that had white vinyl! Beyond Fabulous. And yes, I'm still a vinyl dude.

I have a turntable, cassette player, cd player, VCR. If I need to play something - I've got the equipment for each format.

Love the sound of vinyl.

Nile Rodgers and Madonna

As some of you probably have heard by now, Nile Rodgers found out he had an aggressive form of cancer and started to blog about it. You can read about his journey HERE. I just want to say how much I have always loved Nile Rodgers and am sending cool energy his way. Say a little prayer for the fabulous and wonderful Nile Rodgers. Madonna's fans all around the world love you Nile. xo

I put together this Madonna/Nile video to show my appreciation.

As Madonna thanked him on the Virgin album: Nile "Boom" Rodgers.

Nile Rodgers "Material Girl" Guitar

From Nile Rodger's Facebook: Soft Core Guitar Porn: Not much to look at but it played Madonna's "Material Girl"

Material Girl 45

The Material Girl 45 and single artwork.

Madonna was beyond huge with Like a Virgin and the definite maturity from the first album is obvious but with Material Girl, the second single from Virgin, she entered new territory. It's so hard to separate the song from the video as they were the perfect marriage, but as I try to think back to when I first got the album in November of 1984, there was something about this song that was entirely different. There was an extreme cinematic tone about Material Girl long before the video came around and, interestingly, this is the song that opened the album. It was also a new voice for Madonna. She played a character. Her vocal performance would fit perfectly on I'm Breathless which would come 6 years later.

Nile Rodgers production is tight but I don't doubt that Madonna played a huge role in the Material Girl production. We have the members of Chic playing on this song but even with its strong drums and bass, its disciplined not loose. We can hear elements of the Borderline girl but also some Emmy, in her delivery. Let's not forget her next venture, Into the Groove, was produced by her and Stephen Bray. When she spoke about the first album Madonna, produced by Reggie Lucas, she said she knew more about production than she had thought. Possibly with the second album she still wasn't as confident as a producer and had more to learn but I can hear her touches here. The Like a Virgin album is different to anything Nile had done prior or after.

Although Material Girl has been completely played out, it's a superior and fascinating song, history aside. The little poodle barks she does are wonderful punctuation marks on the songs character.

Madonna and Nile

Jellybean - Wotupski Record - 1984! This is the Real Deal for the Real Fans, not this new breed of nit-pick'n fuck twats.

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Fantastique on every level. I've had this album since the day it was released in 1984. SIDEWALK TALK BABY!!!

On the inner sleeve of The Record, I've highlighted all the people that worked with Madonna and was in her circle back then. Nile Rodgers playing guitar here on "Was Dog a Doughnut" - he and Madonna were still working on Virgin at the time, Shep Pettibone is thanked as is Paul Oakenfold. Fred Zarr and Michael Hutchinson are from the first album.

Martin Burgoyne designed this record art. Stephen Bray is all up and through - and for those of you FREAK'N out over the liner notes being fuck'd up on Celebration - his name is misspelled on the same page! To this new breed of chronic complainers - get a fuck'n grip - you were poop'n in your diapers - when THE REAL DEAL was happening. If you can't take it then or now, go to your P. Abdul as you did then or to your Joanne today. But not here dear, is that clear dear?

Ok, back to the REAL DEAL. Danceteria, Mark Kamins, Erica Bell, Bags, Seymour Stein, Mark Bego (Madonna Bio) - everyone from the early days is here.

Madonna signed her Virgin album to Jellybean with Goo Goo Ga Ga and Jellybean did it here with Goo Goo Gaa Gaa to her.

IT'S A CELEBRATION!!! always. Enjoy. xo

It's the way I am, it's the way I've always been...

recording "like a virgin" - sound on sound magazine - classic tracks "like a virgin" - nile rodgers

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/sep07/articles/classictracks_0907.htm

virgin inlay and thanks