Gay men have always had an affinity for female singers. Looking back they elevated Judy Garland to icon status in the 1940's, Patti Page in the 1950's, Barbra Streisand in the 1960's and then when disco came around in the 1970's they made Gloria Gaynor the first queen of disco music. She was dethroned by Donna Summer later in the disco era. When disco seemed to die gay men were left without a female vocalist icon in the beginning of the 1980's. That was until Madonna Louise Ciccone seemed to appear out of nowhere and take the world by storm.
The often told tale of Madonna's childhood in Michigan, her mother's death at an early age and the strict Catholic upbringing by her father no doubt contributed to her quest for mass acceptance and love. Madonna's career path was actually to be a dancer, not a singer. Her quest for success led her to New York to study dance with the Alvin Ailey dance troupe and Pearl Lang's Dance Company in 1978.
Following jobs as a nude model, a waitress and a singer/musician she was asked to come to France to work with Patrick Hernandez who was coming off of his 1979 hit "Born To Be Alive." Once in Europe she found that being a background singer and dancer was not what she want. Instead upon returning to America she realized that she wanted to be the lead singer. A role in the low-budget thriller, "A Certain Sacrfice," and an extra spot in Konk's video to "Your Life" only seemed to whet her appetite.
After finagaling her way into a new group, Breakfast Club, she became serious about her aspirations as a musician and singer. By 1983 she had gained experience as a singer, had developed a flair for writing songs and become somewhat of a fixture on the New York club scene. A friendship with DJ's Mark Kamins and then John "Jellybean " Benitez would launch one of pop music's most important artists of the last quarter of the century.
Her first release was a 12" single of "Everybody" and "Physical Attraction." Though neither song was spectacular they did serve as an entree in the disco world. When her self-titled debut album hit the stores in 1983 the reaction was immediate. The hits flowed forth like a raging spring. For the next 20 years Madonna would dominate both the disco and pop worlds, but also the media. And at times Broadway, television and the movies. Her sex-capades, relationships, marriages and divorce were just fodder for a hungry public.
Madonna's career longevity is due not to her talent, there are better singers and more talented actresses, but her keen ability to constantly re-invent herself. In fact it's amazing to realize that Madonna is now in her late 40's and competing with girls half her age for chart action and still succeding. Many people have tired of Madonna's shocking antics but few will disagree the impact that she has had on disco music and the clubworld through her videos and number one hits. It was important to include her in the DiscoMuseum for the sheer volume of her work, but I have refrained from an in-depth bio as there are many out there already. I just wanted to say "Thanks for the hits!" |
