Madonna's Group 'Emmy' @MaxsKansasCity 1981

@MaxsKansasCity

1981 - Madonna and her then group Emmy perform at the legendary Max's Kansas City in New York City. Madonna on guitar and lead vocal, Stephen Bray on drums, Gary Burke on bass, Mike Monahan on guitar.

Madonna circa 1981

Fabulous shots. They seem to be taken around the time of In Artificial Light.

I've always wanted this version of Hot House Flower. Now, Sweetie, Now!

Can't Stop

Can't Stop from the Who's That Girl soundtrack is an under appreciated gem that holds one of Madonna's greatest bridges. It really is one of my favorite Madonna songs. I love the light sexy feeling of it. And, of course, that voice. This soundtrack was the summer of 1987. xo

Emmy

With Steve Bray.

Come Back to the Five and Dime, Stephen Bray, Stephen Bray

Steve Bray and Madonna pre-stardom.

In the Madonna world, what can one really say about Stephen Bray? He's so instrumental in the music and myth of Madonna. Everyone pretty much knows the story. Madonna and Stephen met years ago when she was at the University of Michigan and when she went to New York and needed a drummer, she called on him. Fast forward to The Demo Tape they made that got her signed to the legendary Sire Records and the rest is history. The greatest pop songs in history were composed and produced by Stephen Bray and Madonna. Period.

Fans call for Pat Leonard's return, I call upon Stephen - the way Madonna did when she went to New York. I dig the groovy stinky funk. Into the Groove, Express Yourself, Laugh To Keep From Crying, Ain't No Big Deal, Pretender, Angel, Over and Over, Stay, True Blue, Each Time You Break My Heart, Causing a Commotion - and many more before and in between - ending with the wonderful Keep It Together. Don't know what happened between them and don't care. Madonna, just bite it and bring him back. If it has to do with the brilliant Pre-Madonna that he released, that showcased your wonderful raw talent as a singer, songwriter and guitarist, thank him for it because it was the only cool thing released during those (at the time) dreadful Streisand years (1996/97) and adds to your brilliant musical legacy.

In 2005, Stephen did the music and lyrics with Brenda Russell and Allee Willis for the Broadway Musical of Alice Walker's The Color Purple produced by Oprah Winfrey. It opened on December 01, 2005 at The Broadway Theatre in New York.

Stephen was nominated for a Tony Award for his work on The Color Purple. Here's some footage of them talking about creating that musical score.

Madonna at Max's Kansas City 1981

Emmy - First Time Out of Manhattan

virgin inlay and thanks