Madonna‘s reign as the Queen of Pop officially began 40 years ago this week.
On July 27, 1983, the world got their first full glimpse of what was to come with the release of the music icon’s self-titled debut album.
Months earlier, Madonna dropped the record’s first track, “Everybody,” which became a hit in dance clubs.
Behold her Madgesty’s first music video:
Madonna had a slow rise up the charts and debuted two months later on the Billboard album charts at #190. It would steadily climb until reaching its peak at #8 more than a year later in October 1984.
Besides “Everybody,” a total of five singles were released: “Burning Up,” “Holiday,” “Borderline,” and “Lucky Star.” But any diehard Madonna stan will tell you that the album’s three other tracks, “Physical Attraction,” “Think of Me,” and “I Know It,” would solidify the record as containing absolutely “no skips!”
Madonna was all set to honor her four-decade career with the launch of her highly-anticipated Celebration World Tour on July 15th, but her recent hospitalization for a “severe bacterial infection” forced the postponement of the stage show’s North American leg.
While US fans will have to wait until at least December to see Madonna in all her recovered glory, you can pay your respects right now by clicking through these classic images from the Queen of Pop’s early days on the throne.
In her ballet era in Ann Arbor, Michigan – 1977
Struggling artist glam in New York City – 1979
Giving good face in New York City – 1979
Very early blonde ambition – circa 1980
Days before the start of world domination in NYC – 1982
‘Everybody’ release party at the Roxy in New York City – 1983
‘Amadeus’ afterparty at Limelight in NYC – 1984
With producer & former boyfriend Jellybean Benitez – 1984
Serving all the boy toy Keith Haring energy in 1984
‘Lucky Star’ realness in Munich – 1984
Striking poses in Munich – 1984
An iconic moment is born at the MTV VMA Awards – Sept. 1984
David Lee Roth’s birthday party at Area in NYC – 1984
Filming ‘Desperately Seeking Susan’ with Rosanna Arquette – 1984
Winner of Favorite Female Pop/Rock at the American Music Awards- 1985
Lounging in a hotel in Tokyo – 1985
British singer Marilyn and Madonna at a club in NYC – 1985
Dancing at the Palladium in NYC – 1985
‘Desperately Seeking Susan’ LA premiere – 1985
Popcorn eleganza at ‘Desperately Seeking Susan’ premiere – 1985
Hopping off a plane at LAX – 1985
Live Aid in Philadelphia – 1985
Playing Princess Diana on ‘SNL’ – Nov. 1985
Filming ‘Shanghai Surprise’ in Hong Kong – Jan. 1986
Filming ‘Papa Don’t Preach’ video in NYC – May 1986
Being shady with then-husband Sean Penn in NYC – 1986
Giving mole at a theater party in NYC – 1986
With Iman at the St. Vincent’s Hospital AIDS Benefit in NYC – 1986
Filming ‘Who’s That Girl’ in Los Angeles – Nov. 1986
Who’s That Girl Tour in Montreal – 1987
With Sean Penn at LA screening of ‘Love is a Dog From Hell’ – 1987
Jogging alongside bodyguards in NYC – 1987
Rainforest Benefit with Sandra Bernhard in NYC – 1988
With Debi Mazar at the premiere of ‘Speed the Plow’ in NYC – 1988
Press conference for Race Against Time charity run in NYC – 1988
Leaving after a ‘Speed the Plow’ Broadway performance – 1988
Don’t Bungle the Jungle benefit with Bernhard, Keith Haring – 1989
Expressing herself with dancers Donna Delory, Niki Haris – 1989
Leaving the Rubber Club in LA with Warren Beatty – 1989
‘Madonna’ – 1983
Related:
Let’s revisit Madonna’s stardom & queer allyship through the decades
Madonna has lived at the peak of stardom for most of her life, but her heart remained grounded in the queer community.
bachy
What with the way photographic technology has advanced in the past 50 years, some of these photos of Madonna have the same “old-fashioned” quality as photos of Charlie Chaplin or Josephine Baker.
For all the use of stylists, lighting, high fashion and filters, I think I prefer today’s images more. Modern photographic imagery straddles the line between casual spontaneity and meticulously rendered portraiture.
Gabby
She is a rare human being and I feel so grateful to have lived in a world with her in it.
SDR94103
absolutely!
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