When I was a little boy, I would imagine what my life would be like as a grown up. Like most boys, I had fantasies of playing for the Patriots, having a wife and kids, being a marine or firefighter being best friends with Madonna.
When she burst onto the scene I was just a baby. I was born in May of 1982, and her first single dropped in October of ’82. Coincidence? I think not.
Susan Sarandon once said that, “The history of women in popular music can, pretty much, be divided into before and after Madonna.” I couldn’t agree more. She has single handedly changed cultural norms of gender, sexuality, religion, and popular music. She truly is an icon.
When I was little, I would sneak in my house to watch her videos on MTV. I remember watching the Girlie Show on HBO and being glued to the TV. When I was 19, I saw her in concert (Drowned World Tour) for the first time. I went to Madison Square Garden, alone, and stood on the floor. When she ascended onto the stage I cried like a 12 year old seeing Justin Bieber. I saw that show four times. I have seen her in concert 6 times. The 5th time (Re-Invention Tour) I was lucky enough to be about 10 rows from the stage. There was a moment where I swear she looked at me. I felt it. Maybe I am a super fan. Maybe I am a little obsessed. It doesn’t matter. For a chubby gay boy like me she has always represented the culmination of fashion, sex, music, love, freedom, confidence, and power. She was an escape when I may have not been at my happiest. Some people turn to drugs, I turn to Madonna.
Today is her birthday and what better day to step back and realize the impact this one woman, whom I have never met, has made on my life.
Happy Birthday Madge… and thank you.
While I can't say that I have an absolute favorite Madonna song or moment, here are a few of my all-stars after the jump...
My absolute favorite concert vid... Don't you love her outfit?
While Madge had some interesting, ahem, movie roles there is no question that she was a stand out in "A League of Their Own." Her song from that film is one of my favs.
Rosie and Madonna have been pals since they filmed, "A League of their Own." I love when they get together because it always just feels like old friends having a blast. This vintage vid from Rosie's talk show is so fun!
Plus, MTV has a nice retrospective of Madonna's career and Mamma Biscuit shared her puggy love for Madge today too...
Yes, Madonna has definitely made an impact in the music scene and re-invented herself over an illustrious career. I used to sing along to my fav Madonna songs whenever they aired on MTV or at the KTV... gd times.
ReplyDeleteDon't know why I didn't see this on twitter, but I'm pretty grateful to have found it in this moment. Wonderful! :)
ReplyDeletePS. Here's hoping we get more brilliant moments like this when Rosie's new show starts!
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