Rolling Stone magazine have just launched their annual Reader's Poll of the year.
You can vote for Madonna in the following categories, Best Female Performer, Best Tour, Best Dressed and you can even add Madonna's name to the Artist Of The Year category.

So what are you waiting for? Get voting here!

Madonna's official fansite Madonna.com has just published this little piece of news:

Madonna.com can confirm that Madonna is back in the studio today to record new music. Can't say what it is for just yet, but stay tuned to Madonna.com for more info.

madonnalicious visitor Flo filmed some great video clips at the Palais Omnisports De Bercy in Paris on Thurdsday 02 and Saturday 04 September. Songs included are Vogue, Nobody Knows Me, Material Girl, Deeper And Deeper, Don't Tell Me, Like A Prayer, Mother And Father, Imagine, Into The Groove, Music and Holiday.

UK tabloid newspaper The Sun is reporting today that Madonna is due to sign a deal with Sony to direct a film version of her best-selling children's book The English Roses.

The newspaper states that Madonna co-wrote the screenplay with husband Guy Ritchie and that Sony have handed over full control of the film to Madonna.

Her Music, Videos & her Life, Hosted by LaRitza DuMont
December 18th 7-10 pm, $ 5.00 cover + Cash Bar

Queens Pride House
A home for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Communities of Queens.
67-03 Woodside Ave.
Woodside, NY 11377
718-429-5309

www.queenspridehouse.org

Aucyion house Christies will be holding a Rock & Roll and Entertainment Memorabilia auction on 17 December and several of the lots going under the hammer are Madonna items. Here are some highlights from the auction:

Madonna's signed AFTRA Application
An American Federation of Television and Radio Artists application completed and signed by Madonna and includes her Social Security and phone numbers. The application is dated January 10, 1984, four days before Madonna made her only appearance on American Bandstand performing her Top 40 hit 'Holiday.'

Madonna's Veil from the Like A Virgin video
A veil of ivory silk chiffon worn by Madonna as part of her bridal costume in the promotional video for 'Like A Virgin,' 1984, the veil, made by innovative Japanese designer Kazuko, trimmed at the edges with pearls and vintage silver beads is accompanied by images of Madonna wearing the veil.

Madonna's signed contract for Evita
A three page contract signed by Madonna from Wondervale Limited agreeing to appear in the 1996 film Evita (Hollywood Pictures), which was released at the end of the year. Madonna signed the document on the third page in black ink on behalf of Scudder Films, Inc.

Madonna's handwritten lyrics to Goodbye To Innocence
A sheet of notebook paper containing handwritten lyrics on verso and recto by Madonna for her song 'Goodbye To Innocence.' Written in blue ink with doodles in the margin of a six-sided star and a flower, this working copy of lyrics provides fascinating insight into the creative process of the artist.

Madonna's white gloves from the American Life video
A pair of white calfskin gloves worn by Madonna in the controversial unreleased (original) video for her single 'American Life.'

While out pub-crawling with American news anchor Pat O'Brien for US TV show 'The Insider', Madge couldn't wait to tell him about her pint-drinking antics. 'I just call up my friends and we go get a pint all the time,' she declared. And to prove the point she promptly yelled at the barman. 'Get us a drink love! I want half a pint of Timothy Taylor and a packet of crisps!'

madonnalicious asks if any US fans have a copy of The Insider ready to be put online please contact us at madonnaliciouscom@yahoo.co.uk - thanks :)

Italian Madonna fan and madonnalicious visitor Cristian has sent in scans of these rare Italian magazine covers from 1986 and 1987. Anyone who would like to trade these magazines with Cristian should contact him by email at d.cristian@tiscalinet.it

   

   

   

madonnalicious visitor David took these two great pictures at Madonna's first show of the European leg of the Re-Invention tour at the M.E.N Arena on 14 August.

 

Today's edition of UK newspaper the Daily Mirror featured an article summarising the US magazine interview in People magazine which was published this week.

Madonna: A Celebration in Rome is a one night event entirely devoted to celebration of the whole career of the one and only Queen of Pop, from the eighties to the present.
A chance to meet fellow fans, having fun and dancing all night long to an exclusive selection of rare mixes and the best Madonna pop and dance anthems.

During the night you can also attend a photographic art exhibit titled [Ma']Donna. Xpress [Ma']iself by [Ma']uro Santucci

If you happen to be in Rome on Friday December 3rd you're invited to take par to this 'Madonna-only' party hosted by fans for fellow fans at the charming LostNFound club in Via dei Sabelli 2, located in the heart of the San Lorenzo area.

Entrance is 10 euros, and reduced entrance of 8 euros can be obtained by sending an email to acelebrationinrome@yahoo.com

Madonna headed to London restaurant Cipriani on Thursday 25 November with Donatella Versace to celebrate Thanksgiving and the end of the Versace photoshoot. To view the pictures click here, here and here.

As reported earlier, Madonna appeared on Blue Peter today saying why she loved books. Here is what she had to say about her favourite pastime:

I would like to share my enthusiasm with all of you out there who love to read.
For me books have always been an incredibly important part of my life. As a child and even now, my favourite thing in the world to do, is to get all the work that I have to get done in the day, put my kids to bed, do all my chores, write all my emails and then sneak up to my bedroom and shut the door and cuddle up in my bed with a fantastic book, and just indulge myself in some great escapist story.
That's really one of my favourite things to do.

Madonna has just appeared on UK children's programme Blue Peter. The BBC1 programme was hosting it's annual Book Awards and Madonna appeared in a pre-recorded video saying why she loves books. Check back later for the video clip.

UK fans can catch Madonna's appearance as Mae 'All The Way' Mordabito in the 1992 film A League Of Their Own at 2.55pm on Saturday 27 November on Channel 5.

Madonna was photographed yesterday in London doing a bit of shopping! She was snapped as she left the Eye Wear shop in Beauchamp Place, London.

To view the pictures click here and here.

madonnalicious now brings you 24 animated avatars from the Re-Invention tour video backdrop. You can use these avatars on forums and message boards including the madonnalicious forum. You can choose your avatar here.

Madonna will be spending her Thanksgiving Day shooting the new ad campaign for Versace. A rep for Donatella Versace confirmed the pop queen is doing the shoot in London today.
While he refused to say what Madonna was getting paid, we hear she's being compensated in trade — 'she actually, really likes the clothes.'

What a difference 19 years make....here is a vintage article from US magazine People circa 1985. The feature shows how Madonna and her then fiance Sean Penn dodged, fought and run from the British paparazzi in an high speed chase across New York.

Now in the present Madonna herself said in this week's TV interview with Richard and Judy:
Even the paparazzi have manners here (in the UK). If you say 'Can you just take a few pictures and go?' then they do. Then they say thank you afterwards. I think that's fantastic.

Click on the image to enlarge.

The latest issue of US magazine People (06 December 2004) features a two-page interview with Madonna. In the interview she discusses her induction into the UK Music Hall of Fame, life without a manager, her homelife and the fun she has with her husband trying for babies!

 

Fellow fansite MadonnaTribe have reported that Madonna's photoshoot for fashion house Versace takes place tomorrow in London.
The shoot will be done by Mario Testino and is slated to take 12 hours.

Queen of pop Madonna enjoyed herself at N*E*R*D's London gig last night, by partying with friends Craig David and Lionel Richie.
The Material Girl left husband Guy Ritchie at home while she attended the concert at the capital's Hammersmith Apollo venue.
And it wasn't long before Madonna found herself at the bar with British R+B star David and soul legend Richie.
An onlooker says, 'She looked like she was having a ball, though the last thing anyone would have thought she would do is drink alcohol.'

Pusher Media has published on their website the Re-Invention video backdrop for Vogue - the video features footage on all four screens featured on the stage and also some footage of a dress rehearsal of the Vogue performance on 10 May 2004.

Miss Jones VFX adds Madonna to it’s list of celebrity divas who demand - and get - the best in concert visuals. The 'Reinvention 2004' tour featured work by PUSHER director Stefan Smith and 3D elements from Joe Kosinski of KDLAB.

To view larger versions of all 24 screen captures visit the 2004 Gallery.

 

 

 

 

 

NPR broadcast a Madonna radio interview this afternoon in the US on Fresh Air With WHYY, you can still listen to the interview here.

After a chart-topping and occasionally controversial music career, she s now turning out children s books publishing four in just over a year. The newest is The Adventures of Abdi. The others are The English Roses, Mr. Peabody's Apples and Yakov and the Seven Thieves. Her fifth, Lotsa de Casha, is due out in April 2005.

UK newspaper the Daily Mail published an article today summarising the Richard and Judy interview that aired last night on UK TV.
The main issues were Guy buying Madonna a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes in way of an apology after a fight, and how much Madonna loves living in London and how polite the UK paparazzi are!

US TV interviewer Pat O'Brien published his newsletter about what he has been up to on his TV show The Insider. Here is his latest letter:

Dear Insiders....
Your emails are great....I appreciate them and read them all. I enjoy hearing from old high school buddies, too. The South Dakota good old days.
We have some things to catch up on. As you saw....we did the Madonna thing in England. M and I had a great time. Her books are actually really well written and thought out. There will be five in all...and the new one, The Adventures of Abdi, is about how something good comes out of everything. And something good did come out of our trip to London. Madonna and I actually go out on the town.
First we went to the UK Hall of Fame Awards. I ran into Ron Wood (did you know he is an excellent artist? I see a lot of his stuff in galleries) and had a nice chat with Priscilla Presley who gave me a pat on the cheek, which means I now have Elvis' DNA on me. Saw Sir George Martin and backstage ran into the guys from The Darkness and what's left of Queen!
Afterwards, Madonna and I went to a local pub and just chilled out for a couple hours. She's fun, smart, beautiful, great and married. Love her.
Keep writing....
Best, Pat

Madonna's interview with Channel 4 presenter's Richard And Judy has just aired in the UK. Madonna was on the show to promote The Adventures Of Abdi and while she spoke about the inspiration behind that book she also answered a lot of questions about her life.

She spoke about she feels at home in London, which is a more mellow version of New York and how she loves to visit the pubs here and can cycle around town.
When Richard commented on her 'English' accent, Madonna replied that it depended on the company she was in at the time, and that sometimes she can really speak in an American mid-western accent which makes Guy laugh.

She also spoke about how polite the British paparrazi are, that they will ask for a couple of pictures, take them and then go, and say 'Thank you' afterwards!
She also said that Guy never called her 'Madge' and that once after a row, Guy gave her a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes!

Here are some screen captures of Madonna's appearance on tonight's edition of The Richard And Judy Show on Channel 4 - the full interview will be online later.

It has been confirmed to madonnalicious that Madonna's pre-recorded interview for children's TV show Blue Peter will be broadcast in two parts.

A brief extract of the interviewing promoting The Adventures of Abdi will be aired on Friday 26 November to coincide with the Blue Peter Book Awards show.

The full interview with Madonna will then be shown on Friday 17 December.

80 pictures have been uploaded to the galleries, you can view these pictures here.

Various Isle of Man newspapers are reporting that Madonna has been spotted on the island while Guy shoots his movie Revolver on location there.

UK fans can catch Madonna's 1992 film Body of Evidence co-starring Willem Dafoe on BBC1 tonight (Sunday 21 November) at 10.55pm.

Madonna wants to repeat her Live Aid performance 20 years on.
The superstar, who was one of the main US attractions first time around at the gig that 'changed the world', has backed plans for the new extravaganza.
Madonna - who introduced the Band Aid II video on TV on Thursday ahead of its November 29 release date - told the Sunday Mirror: 'If I was asked I would absolutely do it again.'
Talking of her performance in Philadelphia on July 13, 1985, Madonna said: 'My memories were that it was a very heady experience. I had never played to that many people before.'
Madonna, 46, is the latest celeb to line up for Live Aid II. Status Quo and Robbie Williams have already said they will play.

Today's edition of UK newspaper the Sunday Mirror published a two-page article on Kabbalah, and featured in this article was a previously unseen picture of Madonna and Guy at a Kabbalah dinner.

madonnalicious visitor Cinzia took these fantastic pictures at the first night at Wembley Arena on the 22 August.

 

 

 

madonnalicious visitor Mark took some great pictures at London's Wembley Arena on the 25 August - here a some highlights of his pictures.

 

madonnalicious visitor Freddie took some pictures on 26 August at Wembley Arena.

 

Here are some pictures taken by madonnalicious visitor Katie of Crazy For You and of the final scene at Wembley Arena on 26 August.

 

madonnalicious takes another look back at the Re-Invention tour by publishing some fan pictures not previously seen on this website.

First up is a picture taken by Material Cowboy of the finale as the screens covered the stage at the last London show at Wembley Arena on 26 August - to view larger versions of all the pictures featured and more visit the tour gallery (scroll down to the Wembley Arena dates).

Over the summer madonnalicious and fellow fansite MadonnaTribe previewed portraits from the book Madonna In Art.
After a successful launch in the UK, the book has now been published in the United States. This weekend sees the launch party for the book take place in New York City, and the book's compiler Mem Mehmet has contacted madonnalicious to inform us of the plans for that party:

The details for the party are: venue is club AVALON at 6th Ave & 20th St NYC, on Sunday 21st November.
There will be a special artists cocktail reception from 8.00pm onwards and then the club night will start from 10pm.
There will be lots of Madonna tunes during the evening, some Madonna look-alikes will perform, there will be a raffle, slide show of the artwork from the book and some original paintings on display from the three artists who arranged the whole event - Jason Leblond, Joseph Lawrence Vasile and Claibourn Hamilton.
We will have a book signing for anyone that buys the book on the night at a discount.

The book can be purchased online at www.internationalpubmarket.com

Pop queen Madonna took centre stage to entertain children with a reading from her new book.
Pupils from St Winifred's Junior School in Newstead Road, Lee, were invited to the launch of the superstar's book, The Adventures Of Abdi, on Thursday last week.
Madonna read the entire story to them at Selfridges department store in central London, followed by a question and answer session.
She thanked headteacher Mark Corrigan for the youngsters' excellent behaviour.
He said: 'The children were excited and nervous before the event but once we arrived Madonna soon made them feel at ease.' He also thanked Penguin Books for allowing them to attend.

There are, it seems, some gigs so big that even royalty can't land them. Yesterday afternoon, in an honour not even afforded the Queen's Speech, all five terrestrial TV channels and more than 20 cable and satellite stations simultaneously broadcast the new Band Aid 20 charity single.
Millions of viewers tuned in at 5.55pm to see the video, which mixes footage of the famine in Africa with images of pop stars weeping as they struggle to comprehend the enormity of the situation.
'It is something completely unprecedented,' said a Band Aid spokeswoman. 'I have never known even a royal occasion to be shown on all channels like that.'
'What we have got to make sure is that as many people as possible buy the single and I can't think of a better way of doing that.'
The video was introduced by Madonna, who performed at the original Band Aid concert but did not take part in the recording of the new song.
Over images of starving children, she said: 'Once again, here we are 20 years later. More people die of hunger in Africa than war and Aids put together. In a world of plenty, it is hard to imagine that most African children will go to bed tonight hungry. Bob Geldof and his friends are here to remind you that we can never forget. Not ever. Feed the world.'

There are reports from various UK news sources that between 14 and 20 million viewers watched the broadcast. To download the single visit www.bandaid20.com

In a multi-channel broadcast on UK TV tonight, Madonna introduced the Band Aid 20 video for the charity single Do They Know It's Christmas?

For more information on Band Aid 20 - and to download the single click here.

Late Beatle John Lennon has been voted the Greatest Music Star Of All Time by a British music magazine. Lennon beat legends Elvis Presley, Madonna and Bob Marley in the poll by Q Magazine. Photographs of the top 100 stars will be featured in an exhibition at London's Proud Gallery from 3 December 2004.

The top ten are as follows:
1: John Lennon
2: Elvis Presley
3: David Bowie
4: Keith Richards
5: Kurt Cobain
6: Madonna
7: Bono
8: Bob Marley
9: Joe Strummer
10: Bob Dylan

Madonna's pre-recorded interview to promote The Adventures of Abdi will air on Channel 4's The Richard and Judy Show on Monday 22 November from 5.00pm.

Dutch magazine Deze Week (17 November issue number 47) and French magazine Net Live (December 2004 issue number 1) both feature Madonna on the cover of their latest issues.

   

Madonna has urged American President George W Bush to study the Kabbalah to make him a better leader.
The spiritual Material Girl is convinced the mystical Jewish teachings would give Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair an improved outlook on the world, in light of their handling of the war in Iraq.
When asked by CNN what she would like to change, she replied: 'To get George Bush to study Kabbalah. Yes. It would be amazing.'
When CNN host Richard Quest suggested: 'Maybe Tony Blair could join him?' Madonna enthusiastically responded: 'That's a very good idea.'

UK fans can catch Madonna introducing the new Band Aid 20 charity single video on UK TV tonight (Thursday 18 November) starting at 5.50pm - it is being broadcast on all five channels in the UK at the same time, and some digital/satelite channels.

Madonna's induction into the UK Music Hall of Fame last week has been covered extensively in most UK tabloid magazines.

Hello! magazine (23 November issue number 843) devotes three pages to the event - with Madonna getting the largest amount of press!

     

OK! magazine (23 November issue number 445) features more coverage of the awards, and one page on Madonna and Guy's winter wedding.

   

Madonna was snapped as she attended her gym in North London this morning, wearing a bright lime green outfit - to view the pictures click here, here and here.

Michael Colombier, the composer who composed the beautiful string arrangements for Madonna on Die Another Day, Don't Tell Me and Easy Ride as well as composing the soundtrack for Swept Away has died:

French composer Michel Colombier died yesterday after a six month battle with cancer. He was 65. Colombier was one of the most prolific and versatile French musicians of his generation. Besides his career as a film composer, scoring over 100 feature, cable and television films since the early 1960's, Colombier was a prolific song writer and arranger who worked with artists such as Madonna, Prince, The Beach Boys, Paul Anka, Barbra Streisand and Earth Wind and Fire.
As a film composer, Michel Colombier scored a lot of French and American films, including The Golden Child, Ruthless People, New Jack City, How Stella Got Her Groove Back and The Money Pit. His background in jazz was evident in the majority of his film scores, and his ability to compose original score music that merged seamlessly with pop songs made him the perfect composer for 1980's films with song-heavy soundtracks, including White Nights, Against All Odds and Purple Rain (which won a Grammy Award as well as an Academy Award for Best Song Score).

Madonna has lent her support to the new version of the Band Aid single Do They Know It's Christmas? by recording an introduction to accompany the video premiere on UK TV.
Although Madonna did not take part in the new recording, it is understood that Sir Bob Geldof telephoned Madonna on Thursday as she made her way to the UK Music Hall of Fame ceremony to ask her to record an introduction to the video, Madonna is said to have agreed immediately.
The video will premiere simultaneously on all five UK TV channels at 5.55pm on Thursday 18 November.

Madonna's full introduction:
'Twenty years ago I performed at Live Aid,' she will tell viewers. 'You saw me and my generation demanding a change.'
'Once again, here we are 20 years later and more people die of hunger in Africa than war and Aids put together.'
'In a world of plenty, it is hard to imagine that there are African children going to bed tonight hungry.'
'Bob Geldof and his friends are here to remind you that none of us can forget. Not ever. Feed the world. I am honoured to introduce Band Aid 20.'

Available for download now is the full introduction, tribute and acceptance speech from the UK Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
Madonna attended the ceremony at the Hackney Empire in London last Thursday with publicist Liz Rosenberg and assistant Angela Becker. Madonna was presented with her award by Tracey Emin and Jo Whiley.

Here are some screen captures from the video tribute that was played to celebrate Madonna being inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame.
People who played tribute to Madonna included Nile Rodgers, Seymour Stein, Sharleen Spiteri, Gwyneth Paltrow, Stella McCartney and Anastascia .

And here are Madonna's reactions as Tracey Emin and Jo Whiley give a speech to announce the award is to be presented to Madonna.

UK TV station Channel 4 has just broadcast Madonna's induction into the UK Music Hall of Fame - here is her being given the award by Tracey Emin and Jo Whiley.

UK TV station Channel 4 is currently broadcasting the induction ceremony of the UK Music Hall of Fame - here are some screen captures of Madonna arriving at the event, speaking to the press and sitting in the audience.

Despite rumors to the contrary, Madonna told MTV Europe that she isn't planning to do a cameo in her husband Guy Ritchie's film 'Revolver,' currently shooting in London.
Madge, however, does have other movie plans in the works - for her book 'The English Roses.' She said it would hopefully go into production this year. 'It takes forever to get a movie made,' she said. 'So fingers crossed.'
As for her tour documentary that's supposed to hit theaters next year, she doesn't have a name for the project yet, but she hopes it'll be out by May.

In the latest issue of the Roland User Group magazine, Madonna features on the cover and there is a large article inside talking to the keyboardists who featured on Madonna's Re-Invention tour this summer.
Although technical, the article is an interesting insight into how the music was put together for this tour, and how Mike McKnight and Marcus Brown worked with Madonna in evolving the sound for the tour.

 

To read the full article click here - you can also view a short clip of the Nothing Fails soundcheck at Slane Castle by clicking the link at the bottom of that article.

Here's the interesting story about how guitarist Monte Pittman met Madonna, taught her to play guitar and went on tour with her:

In 1999, Monte Pittman bid a fond farewell to his rural hometown of Longview, Texas, and headed west to Los Angeles in search of the big time. But like so many other musicians who have done the same, Monte found himself in other situations.
'I got a job working at a music store selling guitars and sweeping floors,' he tells us. But as fate would have it, that dues-paying gig opened a door that would change Monte’s life. 'People would come into the store looking for guitar teachers,' he explains, 'so the thought occurred to me, ‘I could just teach. I could be my own boss.’' And that’s exactly what he did. 'I quit cold, put out my card, and started looking for students.'
One day a man called the music store inquiring about guitar lessons, and Monte’s name was passed along. That customer was none other than Guy Ritchie, film director extraordinaire and soon-to-be husband of Madonna. 'Guy was my third student,' Monte recalls. 'That was before Snatch came out, and I didn’t know who he was. It turns out he and Madonna were dating. He had just had some surgery done on his knee, I believe, so he was off his feet and she got him a guitar. He started taking lessons, and he got pretty good at it.'
'I remember the day Music (Madonna’s CD) came out, and I taught him a few things from it. I thought it would be cool for him to play them for her.'
When Guy returned the favor and bought Madonna a guitar, she started taking lessons from Monte as well. 'It was the same thing as Guy - she learned everything I gave her,' says Monte. 'She took it seriously, and worked really hard at it. She learned so much so quickly. That’s one thing about Madonna - her drive is incredible.'
A month after Madonna started playing guitar, she got called to perform on David Letterman. 'She invited me to come play with her, and I thought she was pulling my leg at first,' Monte laughs, 'but she was serious.' That gig went well, and it led to a slot on Madonna’s Drowned World tour, which carried Monte through to the current Reinvention tour.

Christa Ackroyd, a columnist on UK newspaper the Sunday Express gave her opinion on Madonna being inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame in today's newspaper.

The UK Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony can been seen tonight in the UK at 9.00pm on Channel 4.

madonnalicious visitors Danita and Manuel sent in these pictures from the Selfridges book signing event last Thursday in London.
Danita's picture shows the queue waiting in line to meet Madonna and Manuel's picture shows the posters put up by the store showing the event was full up.

Last night the US TV show The Insider featured a day in the life of Madonna. Presenter Pat O'Brien followed Madonna around for a day, which included her book signing at Selfridges and ended with them having a pint of beer and a packet of crisps down at Madonna's local pub!

Madonna was pleased as punch after the ceremony - but not just because of her honorary membership of the UK Music Hall of Fame.
The Material Girl told me she was over the moon at getting an incredibly coveted Blue Peter badge. 'I'm really excited to have finally got one,' she said. Madge had appeared on the kid's show to plug her book The Adventures of Abdi.
True Brit Madge, who likes a pint, let slip she doesn't even know how much a jar costs. 'Someone always buys my beer for me,' she added.

Madonna has taped her appearance for Blue Peter but it has yet to air - it is believed to be scheduled for broadcast in the next two weeks.

UK newspaper the Daily Mirror featured Madonna on the cover of it's weekend entertainment supplement today - in recognition of her inauguration into the UK Music Hall of Fame.

Madonna's inclusion in the UK Music Hall of Fame last night gained a large amount of press coverage in today's UK newspapers - featured below are the Evening Standard, Daily Mail, Daily Mirror and the Daily Star.

 

   

Humble pop superstar Madonna insisted she is still astonished by her achievements, after being inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame last night.
The Material Girl was given an honorary award at the first ever ceremony in London - and launched into an emotional speech about her career.
She said, 'If anyone had told me when I was a little girl growing up in the Mid-West that I would be married to a Brit, be living in England and be inducted into the Music Hall of Fame I would have said, 'B**locks to that!'
'In spite of the title of this ceremony, I think this award is more to do with my accomplishments than my fame. Just because I am famous, doesn't mean I don't have anything to say.'
'It is the voice I have been given, the voice to ask questions with, challenge with, explode with, creative with, laugh with and cry with and I am also truly grateful my voice has given other people a voice.'
'I am so grateful to the people who have stuck their neck out for me and taken the slaps. I've taken many slaps and I don't regret a thing.'

Head over to fellow fansite madonna-tv.com to download more footage from various TV programs of last night's UK Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

Madonna has been inducted into the first UK Music Hall Of Fame - and received a hilarious message from close pals Stella McCartney and Gwyneth Paltrow.
Hollywood actress Gwyneth and designer Stella put together a video tribute to the Material Girl by wearing some of her outlandish outfits.
Madge gasped as they appeared on a big screen at London's Hackney Empire - Stella dressing in a 'Material Girl' dress and Gwyneth donning a conical bra and basque.
Madonna, 46, received her honorary award from artists Tracey Emin and Radio One DJ Jo Whiley.
Wearing a Remembrance Day poppy, Madge gushed: 'If someone had told me while I was a little girl growing up in mid-west America that one day I'd be married to a Brit, living in England and inducted into the UK Hall Of Fame, I would have said: `b******s to that'.'

Whilst recording her interview on BBC Radio 2's The Jeremy Vine Show Madonna also recorded some links for the show.
A link heard on today's show featured Madonna saying 'Hi, this is Madonna and whenever I'm in the UK I always listen to the Jeremy Vine Show' just before Jeremy played Papa Don't Preach!
Jeremy Vine commented after playing this link by saying 'I can't believe she did that for me!'

madonnalicious visitor Emma was one of the first in line to meet Madonna at Selfridges yesterday and got up close and personal with her. Here is Emma's story:

I have been a fan of Madonna’s for 18 years ever since I heard Papa Don’t Preach at a wedding and went to the Who’s That Girl tour age 9. I have seen her in concert 5 times on 4 different tours and I also saw Up For Grabs.
It was always my dream to meet Madonna but I never thought I would be able to. When I first heard about the book signing. I thought it wouldn’t be possible for me to go as I am a wheelchair user and I would have got crushed in the crowds. I went out one afternoon and then when I got back my husband had an amazing surprise for me he told me he had arranged for me to be first in the queue so I could meet my idol I couldn’t believe my ears I was so nervous and excited.
When we got to Selfridges and were shown to our place in queue I was so nervous as were the fans around me, but everyone in the queue was so nice and friendly to each other. As we waited in front of the black curtain we could hear Madonna’s amazing voice as she read to the school children, even this brought a tear to my eye!
As myself and my husband went in we saw her sitting at the desk, she looked so small and beautiful and she had a soft fabulous glow about her! We approached the desk and Madonna said 'hello' and shook our hands. She then commented on the Brits Do It Better t-shirt I was wearing.
After we chatted a little about this I said 'can I have a hug?' she said 'a hug, oh ok' and then said 'I can't reach you from behind the desk', so I thought that meant I wasn’t going to get a hug. The next thing I knew she got up and walked round the table crouched down and gave me a big hug. At this point whilst she was still hugging me I started crying tears of joy and said 'I love you' she replied quietly 'I love you too' and gave me a little kiss on the neck. After this I was completely shellshocked.
She then went and sat back down behind the desk, got out the book and said whats your name, which despite my shock I somehow managed to tell her. She then personalised the book with my name and passed it to me, it still has the smell of her lovely perfume.
Myself and my husband then thanked her repeatedly and turned to leave but whilst we were on our way out someone with a video camera and microphone stopped us. He then filmed me whilst he asked me some questions I have no idea what this was for.
Wow what an amazing experience it was Thank You so much Madonna for making my dreams come true xx

Here are some screen captures of Emma and her husband meeting Madonna:

madonnalicious visitor John attended the ceremony last night in London to see Madonna inducted into the UK Hall of Fame, here is his account of the night:

I have just come back from the Hackney Empire and wanted to let you know how wonderful Madonna was tonight! It was fantastic!

She accepted the award so humbly and it was a very emotional speech where I feel she didn't think she deserved the honour.

Stella McCartney and Gwyneth Paltrow were in a video honouring Madonna and they both were pictured sitting on a bed dressed as Madonna at various stages of her career - Stella as madonna in the Material Girl video and Gwyneth as madonna from the Blond Ambition tour! Madonna said she was honoured that these two strong women thought so highly of her.

Also she said if anyone had told her 20 years ago she would be being made an honourary member of the UK Music Hall of Fame she would have said 'Bollocks to that!' - as she went to collect her award she stumbled up the steps slightly! She also said in the music industry it is one thing to be heard but it is another thing to have something to say - or something along those lines - she fluffed it herself!

The award was presented to her by the artist Tracey Emin and Jo Whiley.

Here are some more pictures from tonight, Madonna has just received her award after being inducted as one of five Founding Member's of the UK Music Hall of Fame.

 

madonnalicious visitor Alvaro was number 191 in the queue today to meet Madonna at Selfridges.

Here is his signed copy of The Adventures of Abdi. Click to enlarge.

Here are the first pictures of Madonna arriving at the ceremony to induct her into the UK Music Hall of Fame at the Hackney Empire in London - she is shown wearing a poppy, the symbol of Rememberance Day which was observed today.

 

Here is another small video clip from UK TV of Madonna reading from The Adventures of Abdi to the school children at Selfridges today, this time from BBC London News.

madonnalicious visitor Declan was one of the lucky 250 to meet Madonna today at Selfridges, here is his experience of the day:

I've waited my whole life to meet her, been a fan since I was 8 years old and I found it hard to believe I would finally come face to face with her. I wanted to thank her for the reinvention in the summer, thank her for taking time out from her family to meet us, thank her for her inspirational music, thank her for believing in herself and passing on those vibrations to all of us, thank her even for reinterpreting the power of certainty for all the big and small children everywhere.
The event itself was well controlled, but ran a little behind schedule. Got to Selfidges for 9.10am and was 147 out of 250 tickets. We then waited and waited and waited, everyone calling everyone, a shout out to Sam and Eva in the queue. Thanks for the coffee!
The queue finally moved about 1.00pm-ish. Got inside in groups of 5, bought the book, got the precious receipt meaning it was to be handed over by Madonna! Madonna taking time out of her busy schedule to play shopgirl extrordinaire!
We then had to find our way to the 2nd floor and joined another queue. Patience is a virtue, all things come to those who wait. And wait we did until about 3.15pm. She had read to a group of children beforehand, and security kept asking us all to shhhh!
Then finally the queue got moving and the fans who had met her reappeared in tears. Everyone so happy and so impressed by their idol, none of them believing she spoke to them, even asked them questions for a change! The queue got smaller and smaller, I had a row with a musician named Sam, making him go first!
We then went into Madonnas area 3 by 3 and an X on the ground marked my spot. And there she was, dressed in purple and grey maybe! She really did look like a vision with so much light around her, I was looking around for professional lighting and could see none.
She was busy talking to Sam about his music, looking like such a child, it was so strange, such big eyes and a really wonderful secure aura around her, very together. I was looking at her thinking is that really her or is that a Madonna doll! So pale, blonde and very beautiful. A million miles away from the reinvention Madonna a few months ago. I saw her on stage, I saw her on the big screen....she looked so soft and ladylike, and was really really friendly.
The area itself was relaxed enough, maybe it was the childrens author persona clothed and shining that promoted such a change in her appearance, maybe she looks like that everyday, how would I know? When I came face to face, I did become a little star struck, I could not believe it was her. Either star struck or heterosexual for a few too many moments, maybe just dumb struck at all that beauty. I never believed I could love her more.
Contrary to your previous feature in whatever paper, she wasn't looking at all tired and emotional, she was a glowing. She looked amazing, gave me a big smile. I said 'Alright Madonna' and she said 'Great!' Asked me how I was doing, asked me my name, asked if that meant I was Irish, even asked me if I wanted a book! I could've just stood there and stared but I'd been waiting all day for this book!
It had occured to me while I waited, wondering what questions to ask that she's been answering questions for most of her adult life so I decided to save her a few today, she must've had millions! I shook her hand and thanked her again, then it was the next persons turn.
It really was a wonderful moment, albeit a brief one. But life is full of wonder all the time, she didn't disappoint me at all. I was left reinvented in the summer, having been a designer in the past, thinking about becoming some sort of healer right now. Meant to ask her advice, meant to ask at the very least, any release date for the reinvention dvd, sorry madonnalicious readers, that might have been a nice scoop!
I was the 101st to meet her that day, still another 149 to go when I left, all of them looking at me knowing their turn was soon. There was a great energy in that place today, everyone left moved and changed, some in tears.
For once I didn't cry and if I do they will be joyous tears. Of that I am certain. Thank you Madonna xxx

Here is a small video clip from UK TV program London Tonight of Madonna reading from The Adventures of Abdi to the school children at Selfridges today.

 

Here are the first pictures available from Madonna's instore book promotion appearance at London's Selfridges this afternoon.

Madonna read from her new book The Adventures of Abdi to a group of 30 school children, and then handed out 250 pre-signed copies of her book to fans - the first 30 in the queue were even luckier to their books personalised by Madonna.

 

Hundreds of Madonna fans spent the best part of 24 hours queuing outside a central London store in the hope of catching a glimpse of the Queen of Pop as she made a rare public appearance to promote her new children's book.
But only 250 of them who were first in line were lucky enough to bag tickets for the reading and signing of her fourth book The Adventures of Abdi.
Crowds gathered on the streets outside the Selfridges store on London's Oxford Street to see the former Material Girl but she snuck in through an underground car park entrance.
The new tale - like her previous books - is said to be based on the ancient Jewish faith Kabbalah which the millionaire pop star and her film director husband Guy Ritchie both follow.
Madonna, who is regularly photographed by the paparazzi in the red string bracelet worn by Kabbalah devotees, has reportedly come under fire for highlighting the religion in her children's books.
Part of the sales from her book reportedly go to fund Kabbalah centres she attends.
The singer was today giving a 10-minute reading from the book, which was officially released in the UK at the start of this week, to a group of 30 schoolchildren aged eight to 10 from St Winifred's Catholic Junior School in south London.
She has already penned her fifth book Lotsa de Casha, which will be released next summer and is about how wealth is overrated.
The illustrated yarn features the Italian greyhound Lotsa de Casha who is the richest creature in the world but is desperately unhappy.

If nothing else, Madonna is never at a loss for opinions, many of which she shared in an exclusive interview with Pat O'Brien of The Insider. He filled in viewers of The Early Show.
Among the topics they discussed: Iraq, her supposed feud with Elton John, Elton's charges she's lip-synched, and the Cameron Diaz flap with photographers.
Madonna has recently embraced her spirituality, authored a successful collection of children's books, and moved her family to London.
She told O'Brien one advantage to celebrity life in Great Britain is a polite paparazzi. O'Brien joked that she may want to pass that information on to Cameron Diaz, who recently had a flap with photographers in the United States.
'All that training in 'Charlie's Angels' finally paid off,' Madonna said with a chuckle.
One of the shutterbugs claims Diaz hit him twice, something her lawyer denies.
Would Madonna ever do such a thing? 'No. No way. No. As if it's gonna change anything. They're just going to demonize her now.'
As for her supposed battle with Elton John: 'That was a fictional feud.'
What about his charges that she regularly lip-synchs during live shows? Is she angry about them? 'Not at all. Please, if I start getting mad at people who criticize or poke at me, I'd be permanently mad.'
Madonna told O'Brien there's another subject she does take very seriously, and that's the war in Iraq.
'My point of view is that this war is not founded in anything truthful. (But) we're in it so deep. How do we pull out now? How do we go backwards and right the wrongs? And, you know — I think it's gonna get worse before it gets better.'
'I voted for Kerry, and I think everybody assumed that. And I'm sad that he lost, but I'm not paralyzed by it. In a way, it's a blessing in disguise. We need to come together, to unite. It's a call to action.'
Madonna says she's philosophical about Iraq and President Bush - something she relates to life in general in her latest children's book, 'The Adventures of Abdi.'
She notes, 'This is my way of trying to effect change in the world, by giving children some kind of tools to deal with adversity in their life in a peaceful way, and they grow up one day and become adults and, hopefully, they've held onto those tools.'
O'Brien says Madonna is 'a very smart woman, and more of a mother now than an entertainer. These children's books, she loves writing them.'

Tomorrow night Madonna will be inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame as one of the five founding members. The other founding members are Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Bob Marley and U2. Priscilla Presley will accept on behalf of Elvis, and Rita Marley for Bob Marley. Members of U2 will be present to accept their induction.

Madonna will attend the ceremony at the Hackney Empire in London after her personal appearance at Selfridges. The event will be filmed and shown on Channel 4 on Sunday 14 November at 9.00pm.

As Madonna mentioned in her syndicated ABC Radio Network interview today, she had hoped that Elton John could have presented her award to her to show that there are no hard feelings after his lip-synching outburst last month - however Elton is taping an appearance on The Jonathan Ross Show that night.

The shop windows at the Oxford Street branch of Selfridges are now displaying posters advertising Madonna's appearance in store tomorrow to promote The Adventures of Abdi.

The small print on the poster says:
Books will be pre-signed, and handed to customers as they meet Madonna. Available to the first 250 customers. Queuing and book purchasing from 1pm on the 2nd floor only.

Madonna will also be doing a private book reading to a group of 30 children before the public event.

For more information on the event please read the story below.

Selfridges have contacted madonnalicious so that we can give to give our visitors the schedule for tomorrow's (11 November) book-signing event at their Oxford Street store. Here is the following information given to madonnalicious - please remember that all the following plans can be subject to change if Selfridge's marketing/security decide:

Books will be pre-signed by Madonna, and be given out to customers as they come to meet her at the signing table.

Customers will need to pay for the book first, and can join the queue on presentation of a valid receipt; both from 1.00pm only.

No other merchandise will be signed, and photos cannot be taken with Madonna.

A reading for 30 children by Madonna will take place before the personal appearance.

A press photocall will take place at the signing table.

Madonna spoke today on an ABC radio interview about her daughter, Lourdes Leon's, first published short story in a charity book called Christmas Stories.
Madonna said that 'I'm incredibly proud....she has an active imagination and she always writes in her journal.'

A huge display, showing Lourdes story - which is just one of a collection of celebrity penned stories in the book - fills one of Selfridges windows. The limited edition book can be purchased at all branches of Selfridges and all proceeds go to the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Fellow fansite MadonnaTribe have reported that Madonna spent this afternoon at the main office of UK publishers Penguin on the Strand in London, recording TV interviews to promote The Adventures of Abdi - one of these interviews was believed to be for the Channel 4 show Richard and Judy as reported previously.

UK newspaper the Daily Mirror published this small picture today of Madonna and Guy leaving Zafferano, an Italian restaurant in Chelsea.

The moral of Madonna's new children's book is simple and positive: 'Everything that happens is for the best.' Now the singer who is constantly embroiled in controversy is trying to practice what she preaches to kids.
In an interview with ABC Radio, Madonna said she's doing her best to get over her disappointment at the outcome of the presidential election and focusing on her new book, 'The Adventures of Abdi,' the story of a little boy who must deliver the world's most precious necklace to the queen.
'In terms of the elections, I don't agree with so many things and the decisions that George Bush has made and I'm not happy with the situation in Iraq,' she told ABC Radio's Andrea Dresdale. 'I do believe that the American public has been manipulated to a great degree.'
Nevertheless, Madonna - who had urged fans at her concerts to see Michael Moore's controversial, anti-Bush documentary 'Fahrenheit 9/11' - says she's not going to sit around 'moaning and groaning.'
'In the end, we have to say, 'OK, we didn't win, but there's other ways to fix the problems, so now what else can I do to help?''

Madonna also says there's no need to bury the hatchet with Elton John, who recently accused her of charging concertgoers outrageous prices to see her lip-synch, an allegation she's denied. Madonna says there was never a rift between the two performers. 'There was never a hatchet for me in the first place,' she said. 'I always thought of him as a friend. I think he was just having a bad day when he said those things and I never really took it personally.'
She said the media blew the whole thing out of proportion. 'The press made a bigger deal out of it than I did,' she said. 'I don't really care. I don't read the press.'
Madonna, who's married to British director Guy Ritchie and lives in England these days, says she invited John to induct her into the U.K. Music Hall of Fame on Thursday, but he had a previous commitment.
'I thought, that would be cool if Elton John gave me the award and then we could kiss and make up in front of everybody because everybody seems attached to the idea we're having this feud in the first place,' she said.

Now the 46-year-old performer is focusing on her latest book, 'The Adventures of Abdi,' the story of a little boy who must deliver the world's most precious necklace to the queen.
In the story, Abdi is robbed in the desert, thrown in a dungeon, and has a surprising encounter with a snake. The book, aimed at readers ages 6 and older, aims to teach kids about the power of positive energy, Madonna says.
Her first children's book, 'The English Roses,' was an international best seller and made publishing history with a simultaneous release in 30 languages, becoming the fastest-selling book ever by a first-time children's author. It was followed by 'Mr. Peabody's Apples,' and Madonna says she plans to write a sequel to 'Roses.'
The singer, famous for reinventing her look and sound so many times, is thrilled by the latest turn in her career. The children's books are bringing her new fans — and even winning over some people who weren't too crazy about her music.
'Oh, I got tons of letters like, 'I never liked her records but I like her books.' I'm like, 'Thanks a lot,' she said, laughing.
Her two children - Lourdes, 8, and Rocco, 4 - give her a lot of feedback on her writing, Madonna says. Lourdes is especially involved.
'She comes in when I'm writing and says, 'That's a good idea, that's a stupid idea, that's boring, Mom, Oh, I like that. I want more of that.' And my son likes 'Yakov and the Seven Thieves' because he likes bad guys.'
Lourdes has written a short story for a Christmas book that is being published for charity in Britain. 'I'm incredibly proud,' Madonna said. 'She has an active imagination and she always writes in her journal.'

'I think it's bad,' the material mom told a reporter from ABC Radio Networks yesterday in a wide-ranging interview, parts of which are expected to air on as many as 3,000 ABC affiliates around the U.S. today.
'I think people are obsessed with other people's failures or heartaches and I think it gives people a certain kind of a thrill to watch them (contestants on 'Idol') go down,' she said.
Asked about shows like 'Idol' and its U.K. predecessor 'Pop Idol' Madonna said, 'I don't like them.'
Would she want either of the talent shows to devote a episode to her music — as they have with other artists?
'No, certainly not,' Madonna said.

Madonna and her long time manager Caresse Henry have mutually agreed to go their separate ways, it was announced today by Liz Rosenberg, spokesperson for Madonna.
After 13 extraordinary years culminating in this summer's mega-successful 'Reinvention Tour,' they have decided to part ways.
Henry declined comment as did Madonna who is currently out of the country promoting the release of her new children's book 'The Adventures of Abdi.'

UK fans can catch a recording of Madonna being inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame on Sunday 14 November at 9.00pm on Channel 4.

Madonna joins such greats as Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Bob Marley and U2 as one of the five inaugural members of the hall.

Madonna is due to attend the award ceremony which actually takes place at London's Hackney Empire on Thursday 11 November.

madonnalicious visitor Derek Harrington has sent this news in regarding an autographed Madonna chair that he designed which is being auctioned for charity:

For the last 10 years I have been involved with a local Charity event in Chicago, called 'The Celebrity Charity Chair Auction'. The event incorporates artists and celebrities who design and sign chairs that are auctioned off for a number of really great charities.
The person who created and organizes the event gave me the surprise of my life when she told me that, at my request (which I jokingly gave her, fully believing it would never happen....) she was able to have Madonna sign a piece of leather for me to use and incorporate into a Madonna themed chair!

The chair is one of many being auctioned on 01 December at the Chicago Hilton in aid of several Chicago charities supporting abused women, paediatric HIV/AIDS patients, the homeless and housing services - to visit their website click here.

US pop star Madonna made a rare foray into politics, calling for her home country to withdraw its troops from Iraq during an interview with British radio.
'I just don't want American troops to be in Iraq, period,' she said on BBC Radio. 'My feelings are 'can we just all get out?',' said the 46-year-old star, who lives mainly in London with British film director husband Guy Ritchie, who said she believes the US-led war will not help in the fight against terrorism.
'Global terror is everywhere. Global terror is down the street, around the block,' she said. 'Global terror is in California. There's global terror everywhere and it's absurd to think you can get it by going to one country and dropping tons of bombs on innocent people.'
Madonna's best known belief is her adherence to the Kabbalah, a faith based on the study of Hebrew texts which has become increasingly popular in recent years, notably among music and film stars.
On other subjects, the singer said the recent US presidential election had illustrated how US society was 'becoming very divided'. 'People are becoming very polarized,' she said. 'We have people who don't want to think, and who just want to guard what is theirs, and they're selfish and limited in their thinking and they're very fearful in their choices.'
Madonna said that her personal choice for the presidency would have been Wesley Clark, the former four star general who was well beaten to the Democratic nomination by John Kerry.
'I thought very carefully about it. I thought Wesley Clark had the best leadership qualities,' she said. 'If he had the same political experience as Kerry he could have bridged that gap.'

Madonna appeared on the BBC Radio 2 program The Jeremy Vine Show this lunchtime to promote her new children's book The Adventures of Abdi.

You can listen to the interview again by visiting www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/shows/vine/

Fellow webmaster Mariam of Madonna Memories has shared this fantastic rare outtake from the 1998 Mario Testino Vanity Fair photoshoot with madonnalicious.

Please visit Madonna Memories, for some great pictures, interviews, quotes and the chance to win a copy of Madonna's first Rolling Stone magazine cover.

You can also download this image as ready-made wallpapers for your desktop:

Fellow fansite Madonnatribe are reporting that an announcement is expected to be made very soon that Caresse Henry is resigning from her job as Madonna's manager.

Fansite Madonna.nu have elaborated further on this breaking news, stating that the resignation may be due to Caresse's conflicting interests in her new deal to work for Sanctuary Records.

Madonna will be appearing on The Jeremy Vine Show on BBC Radio 2 on Tuesday 09 November to promote her new children's book The Adventures of Abdi - the show is on air from 12.00 noon to 2.00pm (UK time)

It has been confirmed to madonnalicious that Madonna will be on the show from 1.30pm and will discuss the book and other issues.

You can listen to this show live via the internet at www.bbc.co.uk/radio2

Publishers Callaway have published this press release to celebrate the launch of Madonna's fourth children's book The Adventures of Abdi today:

Callaway Arts & Entertainment is pleased to announce today's release of The Adventures of Abdi, the fourth in a series of five books for children by Madonna.
Madonna's first children's book, The English Roses, made publishing history with its simultaneous release in 30 languages and over 100 countries on September 15, 2003. It became the biggest and fastest-selling book ever by a first-time children's author, and is now available in 40 languages and more than 110 countries as diverse as England, France, Germany, Italy, Turkey, China, Brazil, Slovenia, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands.
The English Roses was followed in quick succession by Mr. Peabody's Apples, released on November 10, 2003, and Yakov and the Seven Thieves on June 21, 2004.
Not only were Madonna's first three children's books launched within one year, but they also all debuted on The New York Times' best-seller list, and have sold in excess of 1.5 million copies worldwide.
To celebrate Madonna's unprecedented achievement, Callaway is releasing a boxed-set of her first three children's titles, The English Roses, Mr. Peabody's Apples, and Yakov and the Seven Thieves. A $59.85 value for only $39.95, this gift item comes just in time for the holiday season!
Madonna will launch her fourth children's title, The Adventures of Abdi, with a series of print, radio, and television interviews in London, followed by a book signing on November 11 at Selfridges.
Madonna's fifth children's book Lotsa De Casha, will be released worldwide in June 2005.

Fellow fansite MadonnaTribe have published some stills from a TV promo advert showing Madonna's appearance on Missy Elliott's forthcoming talent search show The Road To Stardom With Missy Elliott. The show features 13 aspiring stars hoping to win a recording contract with Missy Elliott. The contestants get insider knowledge from the stars of the music industry....including Madonna.

As previously reported by madonnalicious, Madonna's segment was taped during the Re-Invention tour rehearsals in Los Angeles and was also filmed by Madonna's own tour documentary crew.

madonnalicious can now also reveal that Madonna's appearance on the show was filmed when there were only 4 contestants left, and that her entrance was a big shock to the contestants!

For more stills from the promo advert please visit MadonnaTribe

UK newspaper The Mail on Sunday published a list of Britain's highest earners for 2004. Madonna makes the list at number 28 with earnings of £40 million, and is the highest placed entertainer thanks to her sell-out Re-Invention tour.

According to UK tabloid newspaper The People, Madonna and her entourage caused a commotion this week when they turned up unannounced at Eltham Palace in South-East London to visit husband Guy on set of his latest film Revolver.

Following on in her mother's footsteps is Lourdes, who at the age of eight has now become a published author.

Lourdes contributed a short story entitled Lucille to Christmas Stories, a limited edition book of stories written by celebrities including the Duchess of York, Katie Melua and Tara Palmer-Tomkinson to raise funds for the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Today's edition of the UK newspaper The Mail on Sunday chose to publish Lourdes story in publicity for the book which goes on sale at all branches of Selfridges from Tuesday 09 November for £14.95

madonnalicious can bring you an exclusive look inside the X-STaTIC PRO=CeSS exhibition at the Camerawork gallery in Berlin, Germany.
The exhibition opened yesterday and includes a lot of pictures not previously exhibited - from the tourbook hallway pictures, to the Lament rehearsal pictures.

New video footage was also featured, including clips which are from the background video for Vogue from the tour - infact while these are playing you can hear Vogue being played backwards in the gallery.

You can now download some small clips of the videos and a look at the gallery here:

Here are some pictures of the photographs from some of the rooms at the gallery:

Madonna was photographed again as she headed to The Kabbalah Centre in London on Friday 05 November - to view the pictures click here, here and here.

These pictures are also proof that The Ritchie's share their clothes - Madonna was snapped wearing the scarf that Guy previously wore to Donatella Versace's party at Cipriani's restaurant last month! Click here to see Guy wearing the scarf!

In celebration of the Steven Klein/Madonna X-STaTIC PRO=CeSS exhibition that opened today at the Camerawork gallery in Berlin, numerous articles about Steven Klein's work with Madonna have been featured in German newspapers.

Yesterday's edition of Berlin newspaper the Berliner Morgenpost featured a short interview with Steven Klein about how he works with Madonna, and how she brought her lucky pantyhose along for the photoshoot!

We'd like to talk about the elections in the USA.
Uaah.

How would you photograph Laura Bush?
Just because she is Mrs Bush doesn't mean she is interesting to me as a photographer.

In the Madonna photos there is a perfect hole in her pantyhose. Did you do that?
The evening before the photo shoot we went through everything on the set and then she said that she would like to bring her lucky pantyhose. She had worn it many times. The hole was already in it and I'm very happy with it.

How were the first five minutes with Madonna?
She is very shy and very quiet. And I was incredibly nervous. Usually, when I meet models or movie stars to take their photos I always think, oh they look like regular people after all. But with Madonna it's different, she has an incredibly intense aura and she really is an extremely beautiful woman.

Your photos of movie stars and models do not necessarily portray classical beauty. What is your definition of beauty?
A structured face or body shape. But also a power that lies beneath.

What did Madonna do with your photos?
She put some of them on her wall at home. In the living room.

The Thursday edition of Berlin newspaper Der Tagesspiegel contained a small feature about the photoshoot behind the X-STaTIC PRO=CeSS exhibition:

The 38 year old photographer and Madonna met in 2002 for a regular photo shoot. 'It was meant to be a one-off thing', says Klein. 'I wanted to take a whole range of Madonna photos that would not look like a conventional fashion shoot.'
W magazine agreed to publish the photos. The shoot lasted 8 hours, the photos ended up as a 44-page spread. The collaboration worked well, Madonna and Klein wanted to continue their work and agreed on a project somewhere between art and pop.
Steven Klein began to build bigger sets. In a bright room he placed a pulsating kidney on one side of a dirty door, a wooden table on the other side, with Madonna twisting her body on top of it. For another photo he placed an electric chair in front of a red screen. He pays a lot of attention to details. 'The room around my object is almost more important than the object itself', says Klein.

About Madonna he says: 'Nobody is like her'. Her originality is ideal for a work of art. 'She is the performance icon of our times. She never knows exactly who she is, her identity is segueing, that fascinates me as a photographer.' He let the singer take on different roles, 'putting a mask on her', as he puts it.

In one of the photos she wears the red robe of an Asian queen, in a video she is seen next to a coyote and a burning wedding dress. 'Actually I wanted a wild dog. But we did the shoot in Los Angeles and there are coyotes everywhere. So we used a coyote.' The visually stunning performance was inspired by a b-side of the Queen of Pop, 'The Beast Within'. Madonna liked the result so much that she used an amended version of the video to open her recent concerts.

Friday's edition of the Berliner Kurier published a picture the now-famous yoga pose with the bizarre headline Madonna: Stare! At! Me!

Chicago fans can get their monthly dose of Madonna on the first Sunday of each month at Berlin in Chicago.

BORDERLINE MUSIC presents an evening of music by one of the greatest divas in music history....MADONNA night of remixes, videos, and rare tracks....DJ Chester spins all 'Madge' all night, the first sunday of every month!

For more information visit www.berlinchicago.com

Today's edition of UK newspaper The Times featuring extracts from Madonna's new book The Adventures of Abdi, a chat with the illustrators Andrej and Olga Dugin and a revealing interview with Madonna by Jane Wheatley, in which Madonna talks about the writing process, and her daily life in London with her family.

Can you tell us something about the inspiration for The Adventures of Abdi?
This book was inspired by a combination of things. I have always loved the backdrop and setting of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves and One Thousand and One Arabian Nights so I wanted to write a story in that genre. In this setting I wanted to explain the Kabbalistic principle of 'certainty', the idea that we can overcome all obstacles and challenges in our lives if we perceive them as blessings and not curses; if we accept that they have arrived in our lives to teach us something valuable.

What were your favourite books as a child?
Charlotte’s Web, The Giving Tree, The Little Prince, Pippi Longstocking, and The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.

Do you read some of those childhood favourites to your own children?
Yes, all of them.

What are Lola’s and Rocco’s favourite books at the moment?
Lola’s are Junie B. Jones by Barbara Park, Wayside School by Louis Sachar and Tom-Tom & Nana by Jacqueline Cohen.
Rocco’s are Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis and Les Schtroumpfs.

What do your children think of the books you have written?
They love them, but The English Roses is Lola’s favourite as she was very involved in its creation.

Is there a bedtime story ritual in your house?
Yes, my children go to the Lycée so they get French and English books read to them. When I read to my son, my French nanny is reading to my daughter, then we switch. Although my daughter is getting to the point where she likes only to read by herself so she reads aloud to me.

What do you feel is the role of stories and books in children’s lives?
Stories and books are everything. They were very important to me as a child and were instrumental in developing my imagination. I feel very fortunate that my children love books as much as they do.

Do you think you will continue to write after this series?
Yes, I have already written a sequel to The English Roses.

Have you any thoughts about writing for adults?
Well I have thought about it, but that is a much tougher crowd. Ask me again in a few years.

How does the process of writing books compare with writing song lyrics?
At this point in my life I have written so many songs and they tell only a part of a story. I find the process of writing books much more rewarding, as there is a beginning, middle and an end.

You live mainly in England with your family; can you describe your perfect day out with your children in London?
A perfect day always includes going to Hyde Park — riding bikes, feeding the ducks, having a treat at the little restaurant on the lake — and a trip to Bramley’s Big Adventure. Lola loves ice skating at Somerset House and Rocco loves the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum.

What else would you recommend?
Tate Britain on Sunday afternoon has a children’s day to do artwork and they like the Puppet Barge on the Thames.

What is the one best thing you have all enjoyed and why?
Our favourite thing to do together as a family that we all enjoy is going to our country house. My children really come alive there, feeding chickens, taking care of the horse, picking flowers and spending time outside in nature. I realise that this is not “in London” but it is our favourite thing to do.

Where do you shop with them?
The children’s sections of Selfridges and Harrods.

Where do you take your children to eat in London?
Guy and I rarely take our children out to dinner as we rarely go out to dinner. But they go to the Blue Kangaroo a lot with their grandfather.

Do you worry about children and safety in London?
Not really. We take the normal precautions. but I would say we feel very safe here.

You also have a home in LA. How child friendly is London by comparison?
Extremely. There is so much to do for children here.

 

In promotion for her new childrens book The Adventures Of Abdi Madonna is due to make a couple of UK TV appearances.

One interview will be aired on Channel 4's The Richard And Judy show which is broadcast weekdays at 5.00pm - this show is well know for helping to promote new books so will be ideal for promoting The Adventures Of Abdi. The other appearance is scheduled for a children's TV show to be confirmed later.

At the moment we do not have scheduled air dates yet for these interviews (of which some will be pre-recorded) but as soon as the confirmed dates are known we will publish them here.

Tonight's edition of UK comedians French and Saunders BBC TV show once again included a Madonna-themed sketch.
UK fans will know that most French and Saunders shows will at least feature a few Madonna references, usually done with affectionate and well-observed humour.
Tonight's sketch lampooned Madonna's change from a sex-book star to a Kabbalah scholar who likes to be called Enid!

Madonna's Re-Invention tour has been named as the Top Tour in the inaugural Billboard Backstage Pass Awards. The awards recognize the top performers of the just-completed touring season, and are based on box-office data gathered from Billboard Boxscore reports.

The Re-Invention tour grossed $125 million from 56 performances across North America and Europe this summer. The awards will be presented during the Backstage Pass Conference at New York City's Roosevelt Hotel on Tuesday 09 November.

Madonna's manager Caresse Henry will also be awarded the Top Manager award!

Meet Madonna as she celebrates the launch of her new book 'The Adventures of Abdi'.
Pre-signed copies will be available to the first 250 customers in the queue and Madonna will hand these copies to customers as she meets them.
November 11, Oxford Street, London, 3pm, Designer Room on 2.

More tour documentary rumours originating from The Sun newspaper:

Superstar Madonna's blistering arguments with director husband Guy Ritchie will be shown in a documentary on the famous couple next year.
The Material Girl enlisted pal Jonas Akerlund to film their day-to-day life in Madonna's adopted home of Britain with their son Rocco and the singer's daughter Lourdes.
The film will reportedly include footage of the couple's bizarre fight tactics - when they spell out profanities in order to protect their children from hearing foul language.
A friend tells British newspaper The Sun, 'There is some really revealing stuff in the film. It shows lovely moments like Rocco's birthday party around the house.'
'But Madonna is determined for it to be a warts-and-all so there's some pretty full-on footage as well. There's one argument between Guy and Madonna that is really full-on, quite disturbing really. The film shows how they spell out swear words at each other to keep bad language form the kids. That way they don't have to keep putting money in their swear box.'

Madonna was snapped today leaving her gym in North London after a workout on the gyrotonic expansion system - to view the pictures click here, here and here.

Madonna and Steven Klein's photographic exhibition moves back to Germany this month after a successful showing at the Scout Gallery in London.

The exhibition runs from 06 November 2004 to 08 January 2005 at the Camerawork gallery in Berlin.

Camerawork GmbH
Kantstraße 149
10623 Berlin
Germany

Open: Tuesday - Friday 10.00am - 6.00pm
Saturday 10.00am - 4.00pm

For more information visit www.camerawork.de

Madonna will star in a 30-second commercial to promote Israel as a safe place.
An Israel newspaper reports that Madonna filmed the commercial when she was recently in the country.
The ad will screen in London 10 times on large screens at the World Tourism Fair from November 8-11.

Rumours have reached bookies William Hill that Madonna is considering releasing her version of the John Lennon classic 'Imagine', which she has been singing on her recent tour. As a result her odds have been cut from 16/1 to 12/1.
'Madonna has never had a Christmas No.1, I am sure she would like to add this coveted award to her impressive list of achievements. At present you can get 12/1 on her being No.1 this Christmas - a very good price as Hills do not include Band Aid III in their market and will be paying out on No.2 should they be in the top slot', said Hill's spokesman Rupert Adams.
Hills latest No.1 single odds: 7/4 Ronan Keating & Cat Stevens, 12/1 Madonna, Robbie Williams, 14/1 Ricky Gervais & Noel Gallagher, Tony Christie, 16/1 U2, Take That, Ice Cube, 20/1 Westlife, Kylie Minogue, Joss Stone, 40/1 Nadia Almada, Jordan, 50/1 Britney Spears.

Polish fansite www.madonnanewera.com have published more scans from the new issue of German magazine Zoo.

The latest selection of pictures feature the hallway sequence shot by Steven Klein which was seen on the background video for the Vogue performance.

The new issue of UK magazine OK! (09 November issue number 443) features an article looking at Hollywood stars who have chosen to settle down in Britain.

Anyone observing Madonna in her tweeds and flat cap would assume she is on her way to a pro-hunt rally. The American superstar even speaks with an English accent these days. Since meeting and falling in love with Snatch director Guy Ritchie, the material girl has made Britain her spiritual home.
The couple married in Scotland, staying at the historic Skibo Castle near Inverness. They also own pads in London's Marylebone - which Madonna reportedly bought with £5.77 million in cash - and a £9 million mansion in Wiltshire, called Ashcombe.

When it comes to holidays, Madonna and Guy, along with kids Lourdes, eight, and Rocco, four, love nothing more than a relaxing break at the utterly British Babington House in Frome, Somerset.
The couple also like hanging out with fellow 'country types', including Claudia Schiffer and her British Matthew Vaughn, and Stella McCartney and Alasdhair Willis. The self-declared Anglophile has even written her very own storybook, The English Roses.

US fans who had registered to receive Madonna updates a while ago on their phones (via Madonna.com) should check their voicemail - Madonna may have left you a message regarding the US election!
madonnalicious visitor Jason found a pre-recorded message from Madonna on his voicemail saying: Sorry I missed you, I just wanted to remind you to vote!

Polish fansite www.madonnanewera.com have published scans of the new issue of German magazine Zoo. The magazine features a sequence of new pictures shot by Steven Klein at the Re-Invention tour rehearsals in Los Angeles.

 

Here's more on the proposed Versace fashion shoot from the New York Daily News columnists Rush and Molly:

Relations between Madonna and Donatella Versace have run hot and cold over the years. But the designer is said to be so besotted with Her Madgesty now that she's ready to pay a fortune to have her model Versace's spring collection.
Donatella proposed that Madonna star in her ad campaign last month at a Versace perfume launch in London. The early word was that Madonna might pose as a favor. But Madonna is apparently aware that, though the house of Versace has been struggling financially, it's still not a charity. Which is why, according to one insider, the Material One held out for $12 million.
That price could include TV as well as print ads. There's also talk of Madonna collaborating on a fashion line. Madonna's rep confirmed that talks are underway.
The photo spread is due to be shot at the end of this month by Mario Testino.
'Madonna is coming up with ideas for the campaign,' says a source. 'She wants the ads to be provocative and sexy. She wants everyone to know how good she looks at 46.'

Fellow fansite MadonnaTribe have reported that Madonna will attend the ceremony to induct her into the UK Music Hall of Fame as a founding member.

madonnalicious can reveal that the ceremony will take place at London's Hackney Empire and will be screened on Channel 4 on Sunday 14 November - for more information visit the official UK Music Hall of Fame website.

80 pictures have been uploaded to the galleries, you can view these pictures here.

As previously reported on 28 October, it now looks like Madonna is definitely in talks with Donatella Versace to sign up for the Spring 2005 ad campaign for the fashion house. Madonna's spokeswoman Liz Rosenberg confirmed these talks in Jeannette Wall's The Scoop on MSNBC.com:

Madonna may be the new face of Versace. The Spiritual Girl is close to signing 'a mega-bucks deal' to star in ads for Versace’s 2005 Spring line, a well-placed source tells The Scoop.
The insider says that the plan is for the ad campaign to be photographed by Mario Testino, who also took the pictures when the Material Girl starred in ads for Versace in 1995.
'Madonna might be known more for wearing a red string these days then she is for wearing cutting-edge fashion,' says a source. 'But she’s still a style icon.'
Madonna’s spokeswoman, Liz Rosenberg, confirmed the story, but downplayed the immediacy of it, telling The Scoop, 'This is in the conversation stage. Donatella (Versace) is talking to Madonna about it, but Madonna hasn’t made a decision yet.'