On Friday 09 May 2003, Madonna gave her first ever instore performance in the UK at the Oxford Street branch of HMV in London. She performed a 7-song set with her band to promote her American Life album.

Madonna was due onstage at 4.00pm, however she did not arrive at HMV until 3.55pm and had to perform a complete soundcheck which meant the show did not actually begin until 5.30pm!

madonnalicious can now bring you this exclusive picture taken during the soundcheck - and although Madonna did not change her clothes for the final performance, the band did - changing into black clothes for the concert.

A small article containing a rumour about Madonna not being included in the Live Aid III supergroup re-recording of Do They Know It's Christmas? was published in today's edition of UK newspaper The People:

Madonna has been banned from the Band Aid III supergroup by Sir Bob Geldof - because she's American.
It's a huge snub for the Queen of Pop, who calls herself an 'Anglophile' and lives in London. She hoped to join Robbie Williams, Oasis star Noel Gallagher, Coldplay and The Darkness to re-record the hit Do They Know It's Christmas?
Madonna, 46, who is married to British film director Guy Ritchie, also missed out on the original 1984 Band Aid appeal to raise cash for starving kids in Africa.
It totalled £8 million but Geldof hopes to double that sum this time around.
Midge Ure - who wrote the hit with Geldof revealed: 'As Bob says, at the end of the day she's a Yank. We don't need her.'
But Ure hopes Madonna will take part in the Live Aid 2 concert planned next year.

madonnalicious visitor Arnaud filmed over 27 minutes of great video clips at the Saturday 04 and Sunday 05 September shows at the Palais Omnisports De Bercy in Paris. Madonna really gives it her all in these two shows which were also filmed professionally for the upcoming tour documentary!

The new issue of US magazine People (08 November 2004 issue) features two small pieces about Madonna.

The first is a picture of her in London's Regents Park visiting the Frieze Art Fair wearing Dolce and Gabbana, and the second is a look at the Becoming God book launch also in London last week.

Thanks to Jamie at MadonnaMegaCollection for the scans.

Elton John just can't seem to stop talking about Madonna, whether he is launching a foul-mouthed outburst at her or apologising he seems to want to keep talking about her....and in the process getting himself some more press coverage!

Superstar Elton John says he will apologise to Madonna for accusing her of miming.
The 57-year-old star said the comments came 'in the heat of the moment' and after a 'very drunken lunch'.
He told Entertainment Weekly magazine: 'I don't want to escalate it because I like Madonna. It was something that was said in the heat of the moment, and probably should not have been said. Would I apologise to her if I saw her? Yeah, because I don't want to hurt any artist's feelings,' he added.

Mirwais, the French producer and collaborator on Madonna's last two albums is now working with Fischerspooner. The following article comes from Fischerspooner's Mailing List:

Fischerspooner are putting the finishing touches on their second album in NYC with French producer Mirwais. So far the band have collaborated on tracks with David Byrne, Linda Perry, Susan Sontag and Tony Hoffer although the final track listing for the album remains undecided. The album is tentatively titled 'Odyssey', is being mixed in London with Mark 'Spike' Stent and Stephen Fitzmaurice and will be released via Capitol and EMI worldwide next Spring.

The new Bridget Jones film features plenty of Madonna references. madonnalicious visitor Aaron saw a press screening of the film yesterday and had this to report:

I went to a press screening of Bridget Jones II last night and it is full of Madonna references, including a scene where Bridget leads a cell-load of Thai convicts in a group sing-a-long to 'Like A Virgin'. It was hilarious.
The song Material Girl (the real Madonna version) is a major part of the soundtrack, and in once scene, Bridget has to answer a trivia question....'What was Madonna's first UK single?' she has to decide if it was 'Lucky Star' or 'Holiday'....see the film to find out if she gets the answer right!

She wanted to rule the world, and tonight Madonna rules 1984. Don't miss our annual HALLOWEEN MADONNATHON. ALL Madonna, ALL night, with no repeats on the dance floor - and we've dug up some real rarities (both songs and videos) that we KNOW you haven't heard. You can dance - for inspiration!
Come in costume as Madonna and get in free! Doors open at 10 PM - $8 - 21 & over ONLY. (We're the judge of whether you're dressed like Madonna, so don't think you can just slap a blonde wig on!)

For more information click on the flyer or visit www.SpinCycleNYC.com

Fellow fansite madonaonline.com.br have reported that Madonna may be starring in the Spring 2005 advertising campaign for Versace Fashion.

The fashion shoot would be photographed by Mario Testino who shot Madonna's previous ad campaign for Versace back in 1995.

Fellow fansite MadonnaTribe have published a previously unseen shot from the tourbook portfolio photographed by Steven Klein which is featured in the new issue of German Vogue.

The image is similar to the cover picture of the Re-Invention tourbook - although in this picture Madonna's eyes are looking up and her mouth is slightly open.

Madonna's latest fitness fad has been a big feature in some of the UK tabloids this week - the Gyrotonic Expansion System is designed to create long, lean muscles that look toned. Yesterday's edition of the Daily Mirror featured this article:

Pop queen Madonna has embraced another torturous celebrity fitness fad. The 46-year-old is raving about a muscle-stretching exercise machine dubbed 'The Rack', after the medieval torture device.
Clients are strapped on to the £3500 wooden contraption and then pulleys and winches give their limbs a tough workout. The proper name for The Rack is the Gyrotonic Expansion System, developed by Romanian ballet dancer Juliu Hovath and popular with top dancers and Olympic gymnasts.
Madonna is said to be delighted with the results because the machine helps create long, lean muscles that look toned, rather than masculine bulges.
A member of the exclusive London gym Madonna visits once a week said: 'It might resemble an instrument of medieval torture but it works miracles. It's great for your posture and exercises parts of your body other methods can't reach.'
Mum-of-two Madonna, who lives in Marylebone with husband Guy Ritchie, 35, and children, Lourdes, eight, and Rocco, three, pays £90 for her 90-minute sessions with fitness guru James D'Silva. Friends say she started visiting him for Pilates but soon became hooked on the new apparatus.
The singer has never been slow to try unconventional techniques and alternative therapies, including Ashtanga yoga and reiki. She also follows a strict macro-biotic diet, which involves adding wholegrain cereals, pulses and soy products to meals.

madonnalicious visitor Stefano filmed this short, but great clip of Madonna singing Crazy For You to all her fans at the last show in Paris on 05 September 2004.

The new issue of UK magazine Hello! (02 November issue 840) features a two-page article on the Becoming God book launch held last week at London's Home House.

Showing off an English country look, spiritual girl Madonna and husband Guy Ritchie arrive at an exclusive London club for the lauch of a new book on Kabbalah.

 

It seems not even a parking ticket can stop Madonna from smiling....

Madonna, Guy, Lourdes and Rocco spent some time in London's Hyde Park recently enjoying a day out in the sun. UK newspaper The Sun features two pictures taken on that day out - to view the pictures click here.

Madonna was photographed as she headed to The Kabbalah Centre in London's West End on Friday 22 October - to view the pictures click here, here and here.

The front page of Madonna's official website www.madonna.com has been updated with artwork inspired by Madonna's new children's book The Adventures Of Abdi which is due to be published on 04 November.

They may have produced one of the biggest flops in recent movie history, but that hasn't stopped Madonna and Guy Ritchie teaming up again.
The Material Girl and her film director hubby start filming new gangster flick Revolver in London this week.
It comes after they were ridiculed over their remake of 70s movie Swept Away, a massive flop at the box office in 2002. One critic snarled: 'New ways of describing badness need to be invented to describe how bad it is.'
It even went straight to video in Britain after a disastrous release in the US.
But, unabated, the couple have joined forces on Ritchie's latest work, with Madge reportedly to play a crime boss.
Jason Statham, who worked with Ritchie on Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch, and Goodfellas actor Ray Liotta, also star.
Madonna has made a habit of working on movies with her men. She appeared with ex-husband Sean Penn in Shanghai Surprise and former squeeze Warren Beatty in Dick Tracy.

As we are just over one week away from the 2004 US Presidential Election, madonnalicious looks back at an advert Madonna made for the MTV Rock The Vote campaign in 1992 where she played The Diva and encouraged people to vote.

Pop superstar Madonna has made a profit of more than $3 million, after selling the Beverly Hills home she purchased from actress Diane Keaton four years ago.
The Material Girl paid $6.5 million for the home when she bought it in 2000, and has now sold it on for close to its $8.9 million asking price.
The home boasts courtyards, an outdoor fireplace, a pool and detached offices.
Madonna, who lives primarily in London with her husband Guy Ritchie, first listed the eight-bedroom, 7.5-bathroom property in May 2003 at $10.9 million.
A month later, she purchased a Beverly Hills compound from actress Sela Ward for $12 million.

A collection of 23 miniature books with stories and pictures by international celebrities and states people - including Bill Clinton, Paul McCartney, Madonna, Margaret Thatcher, Muhammad Ali and David Beckham among others are to be auctioned for London-based social charity '999' at Sotheby's Auction house.

madonnalicious visitor Walid Halawi took these pictures at the Wembley Arena concerts in London on 22,23,25 and 26 August.

 

 

Yesterdays' edition of the New York Daily News featured a funny piece of gossip about Madonna's towel-washing demands which were immediately dismissed with a laugh by Liz Rosenberg!

The Sunday Times journalist Margaret Driscoll was the only member of the press allowed into the Becoming Like God book launch party in London on Thursday, she spoke to Madonna about her understanding of Kabbalah:

It’s Thursday night at the smartest party in town and we are sitting over a drink talking about kids; Madonna, Demi and me. Life has some surreal moments to offer and this is definitely one of them. We’re having to raise our voices above the hubbub of beautiful people, including Gwyneth Paltrow and the fashion designers Donatella Versace and Valentino, gathered upstairs at Home House, a private club.

Madonna herself had this to say about the press critism of Kabbalah:
The fact of the matter is that people are criticising Kabbalah because it’s pushing a button. They are paying attention because it is rankling people’s nerves.

To read the full article click here.

madonnalicious visitor Railer took some great pictures at the Atlantic Pavilion in Lisbon on 14 September. To view all 27 pictures visit the tour gallery.

 

 

Madonna gave a wonderful speech at her third Paris concert on Saturday 04 September, she welcomed everyone who had travelled from all over the world to see her show and said that is was proof that Music makes the people come together!.
She was also surprised by a teddy bear being thrown on stage as a gift and picked it up and said What's this? I like diamonds!

The new issue of Toronto gay magazine Fab features an interview with Madonna's long-time backing singer Niki Haris.
Niki, who is performing in Toronto this month, is asked a couple of questions about Madonna, and as she showed in the Madonna's Men UK TV interview earlier this year she isn't shy in her opinions and she also says why she did not tour as backing singer with Madonna this summer.

When asked if she has a favourite Madonna movie, Niki answers Is that possible?!

When asked why she did not go on the Re-Invention tour this summer and if she would tour with Madonna again, Niki said that she would do it when it's 'reinvention not regurgitation.' She also said she might tour again but there would have to be discussions and she alluded to money matters....

Today's edition of UK newspaper the Daily Express (see picture on the right) featured a half-page article on Madonna and Guy attending the Kabbalah book launch party at the Home House Club in London on Thursday 21 October.

UK newspaper the Daily Mail reported that guests at the party enjoyed a £50-a-head canape menu of tuna wasabi, kosher beef carpacci with parmesan, saffron risotto balls and lamb kofta, and a free bar which dispensed an estimated £10,000 worth of cocktails and champagne.

The Scottish newspaper the Daily Record (see below) also featured a small article on the book launch and published a picture of Madonna and Guy inside the party:
The red bands were out in force as Madonna booked all her friends for a star-studded Kabbalah party in London. The bash celebrated the launch of Rabbi Michael Berg's new book, Becoming Like God, and Demi Moore, Gwyneth Paltrow and Guy Ritchie enjoyed the treats on offer.

Last night Madonna and Guy attended a book launch for a new Kabbalah book, Becoming Like God: Kabbalah and our Ultimate Destiny, at Home House, Portman Square, London. Madonna, who was dressed smartly in a Mui Mui suit showed off what looks like a new slightly shorter-length haircut.
Other celebrities also present included Gwyneth Paltrow, Demi Moore, Donatella Versace, Tracy Emin, Alexander McQueen and Matthew Williamson.

For pictures inside the party, click here, here and here.

Madonna's appearance at the party gained her a header on the cover of London newspaper the Evening Standard and a full-page article on page three!

Now UK scientists have completed a study which proves what Madonna fans knew all along....listening to her music makes you happy!

Researchers from the University of Leicester (UK) played people a selection of songs and analysed their emotional and physical responses. They found the type of song played had a huge effect on listener's moods.
'People had a really emotional response,' said Dr Andrew Tarrant, who led the study. 'A lot of women in particular responded to 'feelgood' music that made them happier and more relaxed. They reported that they felt more content, and their general outlook improved.'

Songs found to produce such a response included Madonna's Like A Prayer and True Blue - also included in this list were Abba's Mamma Mia, Robbie William's Angels, The Police's Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic and The Beatle's Here Comes The Sun.

Madonna will head the voice cast of the big-budget computer-animated 'Arthur,' based on a series of children's books written by French filmmaker Luc Besson, who will direct the project, sources said Thursday.
The $80 million English-language project, scheduled for a 2006 release, follows 10-year-old Arthur who, in a bid to save his grandfather's house from developers, goes in search of treasure hidden in the land of the Minimoys, a tiny people living in harmony with nature.
Madonna is understood to be voicing the part of Princess Selenia, a character who travels with Arthur to a mysterious forbidden city where an evil being dwells.
'The recording is being done at the moment,' a production source said.
Besson's Europa production banner also is in the process of casting a major male star. The film will include some live-action sequences.
'Arthur' will be the first film directed by Besson since 'The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc' five years ago. Besson also is working on a parallel live-action project, which he has written but which remains a closely guarded secret.

Billboard.com also reports that CAA (who represent Madonna) have also confirmed this deal.

UK fans can catch Madonna's title song performance and cameo role as fencing instructor Verity on the UK terrestrial TV premiere of Die Another Day on Wednesday 27 October on ITV1 at 9.00pm

Madonna was named as the number one female singer on German TV station RTL program The Ultimate Chart Show - The Best Female Singer which covered the past 40 years in music.

The full list can be read here.

MTV News have published this little snippet of news regarding the tour documentary Madonna filmed this summer:

Madonna's tour documentary, which chronicles her Reinvention Tour and the 'new' Madonna, among other things, is now tentatively projected to hit theaters by this spring, her spokesperson said. Jonas Akerlund is directing.

As madonnalicious has previously reported, the documentary crews filmed around 1500 hours of footage during the tour. This footage is now currently being edited down to a 90-120 minute film.

Tonight's edition of London newspaper the Evening Standard featured an article on London property and how a flat above a restaurant could sell for over £5 million - although it does help that it is above exclusive restaurant Cipriani, the Mayfair favourite of Madonna and Guy!

Last night madonnalicious won the People's Choice Award - Best Unofficial Music Site at the Digital Music Awards ceremony at London's Shepherd's Bush Empire.

The webmaster of madonnalicious was there to accept the award and to the sound of Madonna's American Life collected the award onstage and gave a speech:

Thanks to everyone who voted for madonnalicious, and thanks to everyone who contributes news and pictures to the site, and thanks to Madonna for another successful re-invention this summer!

madonnalicious was shortlisted in the People's Choice Awards category together with the following websites:

At Ease Web - Radiohead fansite
At U2 - U2 fansite
Beyoncé World - Beyoncé fansite
Muse Live - Muse fansite

UK newspaper the Metro was one of the sponsors of the awards and published an article on the awards today:
The ceremony was hosted by BBC Radio 1 DJ Scott Mills at London's Shepherd's Bush Empire. Winners were voted for by 293,798 music lovers across 12 different categories. Virgin Radio was voted Best Radio Station online, and Madonnalicious, an unofficial website dedicated to the queen of pop, took the best website title.

Also pictured below are screen captures from the BBC TV program Newsround which featured a news report from the awards ceremony.

 

The new issue of UK magazine hot stars (free with issue 441 of OK! magazine) features an article on Madonna's forthcoming appearance on US TV's reality show The Road To Stardom With Missy Elliott.
The article covers old ground saying that Madonna will be 'the Queen of Mean' on the show and will rival Pop Idol's Simon Cowell with her bitchy comments to contestants - however as madonnalicious reported the 11 October Madonna has already taped her one appearance on the show and offers professional advice to contestants.

 

Note - The picture featured in the article is a computer generated image of Madonna's face superimposed on Simon Cowell's body!

Pop superstar Madonna is planning a duet with African jazz singer Cesaria Evora.
Fans of the 63-year-old Cape Verdan star were surprised to see the Material Girl in the crowd at a concert Evora gave in London last week.
But sources say Madonna is a huge fan and desperate for the pair to collaborate.
An insider reveals, 'She's a big admirer of Cesaria's. As far as I know, nothing's been signed yet, but I think they could be singing together soon.'
And a spokesperson for Evora's record label Bmg admits a duet isn't out of the question: 'A collaboration wouldn't surprise me. Cesaria has an immense global following.'

Ladies and gentlemen, step right up the greatest evening in Vancouver is about to begin! We have dancing ladies, and we have dancing boys! We even have a superstar DJ!
On Wednesday November 10 right here in Vancouver, at the greatest gay club this city has ever had, Celebrities! We are holding the greatest Madonna night this city has ever seen! We have the Fab Supa Star, Mr DJ Dicky Doo spinning al the hawt Madonna rekords all night long and the equaly fab and georgous Mizz Cotton, the host for the evening.
There will be a Madonna show featuring performances by Vancouvers best Madonna drag/impersonators Mina Mercury, Trixi, Mandy Kamp and many more.
The Kabbalah Center will be featured in one of our many booths. They will be promoting the up and coming Kabbalah Factor here in Vancouver aswell information will be available and donations accepted for the Spirituality for Kids, an incredibly important cause suported heavily by Madonna herself.
We will be featuring Donna DeLory in another booth! There will be some special merchandise available for sale along with information on Donna's up and coming performance right here in Vancouver on November 19th. It will be a benifit concert for the Yoga Outreach Center, tickets will be available for $25.00 each.
In our third booth we have the privilege to feature some great local talent. He is a close friend and has an amazing talent, Sean Tateryn creator of the famous Madonna Myumee Dolls. Sean will have some of his many Madonna Dolls on display, aswell as the first public showing of his latest ReInvention Myumee Dolls. Come get your picture taken with your fave doll, with Sean or just get an autograph if ya want!
There will be some great door prizes and a few give aways! It is gonna be a great night for Madonna fans alike to come togeather here in our beautiful city and celebrate our idol! Get ready Vancouver....the greatest night is about to begin!

Madonna visited the Frieze Art Fair in London's Regents Park yesterday - click here, here and here to view the pictures.

Madonna and Guy were photographed as they left the Kabbalah Centre in London last Friday (15 October) - both were well dressed up against the London weather!

Click here, here and here to view the pictures.

madonnalicious visitor Jeyan filmed some video clips in Paris at the Palais Omnisports De Bercy on Saturday 04 September. Songs included are Nobody Knows Me, American Life, Die Another Day, Nothing Fails and Into The Groove.

Some women seem to polarise public opinion, loved and hated in equal measure. Ruby Millington spoke to consultant psychologist Nadine Field why some some celebrities evoke such strong feelings and what our reactions reveal about ourselves:

madonnalicious visitors Mark and Mate managed to film some video clips at the 02 September show at the Palais Omnisports De Bercy, Paris. Songs included are Vogue, Nobody Knows Me, Frozen, Express Yourself and Crazy For You.

An article in today's edition of UK newspaper The Daily Telegraph features extracts from Richard T Kelly's oral biography on Sean Penn in which friends, family and co-stars give an insight into the world of the actor.

The book is entitled Sean Penn: His Life and Times and is published in the UK on October 21. The following are some extracts from the biography where friends and family talk about how Sean and Madonna got together and their wedding:

Meegan Ochs: (Sean's personal assistant)
After Elizabeth McGovern broke up with Sean, he used to say to me, 'I'm going to marry someone who doesn't speak English, because that way we won't have any fights and it'll work out great.'
The joke was that we were driving around in my car listening to this Madonna cassette - my uncle had taped it for me. Sean would be saying, 'So who do you think I should marry?' Finally I said 'Well I think you should marry Madonna.' He said 'Who?' I said , 'The singer we're listening to: she's really sexy and funny, she's got a great sense of herself.'

James Foley: (Director)
Sean and I were siting in my house watching MTV, and one of Madonna's videos came up. He says, 'Maybe we could go visit (her on set)....' I said, 'Sounds good....'

Meegan Ochs:
Madonna's up there rehearsing away on an incredible sound stage, wearing an amazing pink dress (on the set of Material Girl). And they take a walkie-talkie up to her, and Simon Fields, the producer of the video says to her, 'Sean Penn want to come visit the set.' and she yelled into the walkie-talkie - and to the entire room - 'Only if he'll go out with me afterwards!' And my heart just dropped, because it never occurred to me that she would be interested in him....And the next thing I know, Sean's on the phone to me saying 'Look, your friend's calling me from Japan, she's calling me from everywhere....'

Eileen Ryan Penn: (Sean's Mother)
Sean brought her here after they had a few dates. I didn't know who the hell she was, nor did Leo (Sean's Father). She wasn't loaded with make-up. She seemed shy and nice.

Meegan Ochs:
Clearly that was the moment when everything changed: Madonna was someone running at the limelight and he was running away from it. Oh my God, was that a conflict.

They got engaged on location (while filming At Close Range in June 1985). He told me, 'No one can know.' Sean told me and Jamie Foley. And Madonna told Liz Rosenberg, her publicist - who never said a word, to her incredible credit - and Rosanna Arquette, who unfortunately told someone, who told everybody.

The orginal thought had been to get married on the stroke of midnight of the 16th and the 17th (of August), so they both got their birthdays....No one was allowed to know where, only the day. And then I personally spoke to every single person the day before, with Sean beside me telling me, 'You're not giving good enough directions.' I said, 'Sean, it's Tom Cruise, he knows how to drive a couple of blocks past your parent's house.'

Eileen Ryan Penn:
They got married at the house of two very faithful friends of mine, Elda and Dan Unger. Sean wanted it to be Malibu, and they had this huge place that was just right for a wedding: right next door to Johnny Carson. Also it would be private, supposedly - this was before the helicopters came.

Meegan Ochs:
That was when Sean made his announcement from the balcony, now famous: 'Welcome to this year's remake of Apocalypse Now....'

James Foley:
I was Sean's best man, and I remember him being really mad, wanting to get a bazooka and shoot them down. The ceremony was on a promontory, and while the vows were being taken, I was standing right there with Madonna's sister, her maid of honour, and I couldn't hear what they or anybody was saying because the helicopters were so loud.

But it was a whole moment in pop-culture history. And I think it was a union that was a real romantic love that neither would deny to this day.

Madonna's official online store are offering Madonna's latest children's book The Adventures Of Abdi for sale on pre-order here.

Also available are some tshirts available in adult and youth sizes and the chance for US residents to win a signed copy of the book when you pre-order.

madonnalicious visitor Stef has set up a group where all the lucky dance pit winners can get together online to share their stories, pictures and memories of their fantastic experience.

If you were lucky enough to get in the pit and want to to join the group click here.

Thanks to Material Cowboy for the picture from the 26 August at Wembley Arena.

Here are some more pictures of Madonna leaving the Kabbalah Centre in London on 09 October, click here, here and here.

At the second show on Thursday 02 September at the Palais Omnisports De Bercy in Paris Madonna gave a speech in which she thanked all the French fans for supporting her American Life album. madonnalicious visitor Flo filmed this speech which is now available to download.

I just want to say thank you to everyone, in France for sticking by me, and being so loyal all these years. Last year, or whenever it was, when my American Life album came out....it was right before the war in Iraq....my album was deemed un-American and no radio station would play it....but France you stuck by me.
I think I sold more records here than anywhere else in the world, so thank you for that....who wanted that fucking war anyway?!

madonnalicious visitor John took some great pictures of Madonna's last show of the tour at the Atlantic Pavilion in Lisbon on 14 September. To view larger versions of all 7 pictures visit the tour gallery and scroll down to the 14 September dates.

 

 

madonnalicious visitor Geoffroy took some pictures at the 05 September show at the Palais Omnisports De Bercy in Paris. To view larger versions of all 5 pictures visit the tour gallery and scroll down to the 05 September dates.

 

The latest issue of UK magazine Hello! (19 October 2004 - issue 838) features a picture of Madonna and Guy leaving Cipriani's restaurant in London after a party to celebrate the launch of Donatella Versace's new perfume.

Speaking on US TV's Access Hollywood this week at a charity event, Elton John tried to clarify his swear-filled 'rant' at Madonna at the Q Awards in London last week.
He offered these comments regarding his outburst:

'You know, I just said what I said and I've been meaning to say it for a long time. It was probably a bit unfair on Madonna, because a lot of people lip sync worse and their whole show is lip synced....her show is not wholly lip-synced but there's an element to it.'
'Madonna is a great artist, she's a great writer, she's a great performer, she makes great records and I just want to leave it at that.'

Signatures Network, Inc. (SNI), the entertainment industry's leading merchandising and licensing company, announced today that Madonna's The English Roses(TM) collection is currently launching in select Nordstrom stores, department stores and boutiques. Select items are also available on Nordstrom.com
SNI signed and developed the product lines for the premier licensees for The English Roses, Madonna's hugely successful debut children's book. The licensing program for The English Roses(TM) features Girl's Apparel, Footwear, Rainwear, Collectable Dolls, Teas and Hot Chocolate, Tea Sets, Jewelry Boxes, Charm Bracelets and Necklaces, Calendars and more.
Beginning in October, Nordstrom will create an extensive in-store program around The English Roses(TM), including fashion shows and tea parties.
'Nordstrom is thrilled to carry many items from The English Roses(TM) collection in our stores,' said Marci Scott, VP of Kids' Wear at Nordstrom. 'We're looking forward to events in our stores for our young customers, giving them the opportunity to see this fun, new merchandise.'

To read the full press release click here.

madonnalicious can reveal further information on Madonna's upcoming appearance on Missy Elliott's show The Road To Stardom:

Madonna's segment was taped during the Re-Invention tour rehearsals at the The Forum in Los Angeles.

The tour documentary crew were also present and filmed Madonna taping the show.

As Madonna dispensed her advice to the contestants, she happily sat on the floor eating trail mix (a mixture of dried fruit, nuts and raisins)!

Madonna's appearance on the show will be on one of the later episodes of the series.

Please take a few moments to vote for madonnalicious as Best Music Fansite in the 2004 Digital Music Awards - click here to vote :)

The voting closes very soon so if you haven't voted yet please do - thank you!

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

Today's edition of UK newspaper The Sun featured some more gossip regarding Madonna's appearance as a advisor/judge in Missy Elliott's forthcoming reality TV show The Road To Stardom With Missy Elliott

The newspaper's insider suggests Madonna completed a screen test for the show, and said she would drive some contestants to tears with her put downs and her directness....even eclipsing Pop Idol's judge Simon Cowell.

An insider says: 'Madonna doesn't suffer fools gladly. She will have no patience with the have-a-go heroes trying to make a name for themselves.'
'If someone walks into the room the wrong way she'll say 'no' before a note is sung and that will be their chance gone.'
'She will reduce people to tears because she is so direct. Her comments really find their targets. There is no pantomime about her performance.'
'She plays the role of a judge as she is in real life. There is no showing off like there is with Cowell. Only real hopefuls will get through to be judged by her.'

However madonnalicious has heard a different story from the taping which suggests that we haven't seen the return of 'mean Madonna' as the insiders would like us to believe.

The show will look at look at how to make it in the music industry. Missy Elliott will take 13 hopefuls and each week she and her panel of judges, Dallas Austin, Teena Marie and Elliott's manager, Mona Scott of Violator Management will eliminate a contestant from the show. Madonna will guest on the show and will offer the contestants some valuable advice on the music industry.

More madonnalicious visitors have written in about the pre and after-show songs featuring during the tour:

Glamour Girl By Praga Khan was played pre-show, and what was originally thought to be 50 Cent's In Da Club was infact a cover version called In Da Pub by 50 Pence!

Fellow fansite MadonnaTribe also have published that another song was This Must Be The Place by Talking Heads and an instrumental piece by Brian Eno.

The September-October issue of French magazine Star City is totally devoted to Madonna and includes 8 posters of her.

The magazine is on sale now, priced at 3€10

Madonna's official website Madonna.com have updated their front page and are advertising the new issue of Madonna fanclub magazine ICON which will be a Re-Invention tour special featuring some exclusive live and studio shots.

Artist Rob Jacobs of fellow fansite MadonnaMad has created this wonderful cartoon of Madonna teaching Elton John a lesson.

Rob has kindly given madonnalicious visitors the chance to download his artwork as their desktop wallpaper in either 800x600 or 1024x768 sizes.

Tonight's edition of London newspaper the Evening Standard featured in it's art section a column commenting on the Elton John miming 'rant' from earlier this week.

The article by John Aizlewood discusses the fact that some spectacular shows could not be performed without some degree of lip-synching.

He says: The audience has a choice: if you don't want the spectacle, you'll get the singing. If you want the spectacle, you can't have proper live singing.

Earlier in the article he also says: Sir Elton has never lip-synched in his life. Of course he hasn't; he sits at his piano for his entire show.

To read the entire article click here - and remember....Elton winning an award may not make the news, but Elton winning an award and using his speech to trash the Queen of Pop makes the news and with that gains him lots of publicity just as his tour tickets go on sale!

Madonna's Re-Invention tour leads the way with nominations in three out of six categories in the first ever Billboard Backstage Pass Awards.
The awards recognise achievements in touring and cover the time period from November 2003 to September 2004 and use the information gathered by Billboard Boxscores tour reports.
Madonna has been nominated for Top Tour (total gross), Top Draw (number of tickets sold) and Top Boxscore Event (for an event at Madison Square Garden).
The winners will be announced during the Billboard Backstage Pass conference on 08 and 09 November.

No sooner do Warner Brother Belgium print their Fall 2004 release catalogue stating that the Re-Invention tour DVD will be released this December - then they change the release schedule which now states that the DVD will be released in 2005!

madonnalicious knows that many fans are eager for this tour DVD release and hopefully we will have some definite dates soon!

Madonna and Guy attended a dinner tonight hosted by Donatella Versace to celebrate the launch of her new fragrance Versace Crystal Noir at Cipriani, in Davies Street, London.

Click here to see a picture of Madonna and Guy arriving at Cipriani.

In Warner Brothers Belgium Fall 2004 releases catalogue, the release date of the Re-Invention tour DVD in Belgium is given as 06 December (note the cover is just a mock-up featuring a picture from the Drowned World tour).

Many visitors have written in to madonnalicious asking what songs were played pre-show before each Re-Invention show and now fellow fansite MadonnaTribe have identified some of the songs played:

David Bowie - Ashes To Ashes
Grace Jones - Walking In The Rain
Dakar & Grinser - Wanna Be Your Dog
The Mono - Silicone (Les Rythmes Digitales Remix)

The 50 Cent song In Da Club was also the first after-show song played when the crowd were leaving the venue and The Clash's This Is Radio Clash was also played after-show.

madonnalicious can reveal that it was Stuart Price who selected the songs featured in the pre-show mix.

madonnalicious visitor Stefano also took some great pictures of Madonna's first ever concert in Ireland at Slane Castle on Sunday 29 August. To view larger versions of all 6 pictures visit the tour gallery and scroll down to the 29 August dates.

 

 

Canadian TV channel Bravo is showing Evita on Sunday 10 October at 9.00pm (EST)

Spanish TV channel AXN is also showing Evita on Friday 08 October at 10:20pm and on Saturday 09 October at 4.00pm

Here are some more great pictures of the Slane concert that madonnalicious visitor Bronagh took on Sunday 29 August. To view larger versions of all the pictures visit the tour gallery and scroll down to the 29 August dates.

In the first picture you can see Madonna had to wear a black jacket for her Hanky Panky performance due to the cold and damp conditions that night.

 

 

Rupert Everett has accused Elton John of being 'bossy and cranky' after he criticised his pal Madonna for lip-synching on her Re-Invention world tour.
The British actor became close friends with Madonna when the pair teamed up in film flop 'The Next Best Thing' and he has stepped in to defend her after Elton attacked the singer during the Q Awards ceremony in London.
Bitchy Elton slammed Madonna for charging fans upwards of £75 to see her perform and then lip-synching certain songs - criticism Everett has taken to heart.
He fires back: 'I don't understand what he's got against her because this is the second time he's stuck into her a bit. That seems really unfair to me.'
'Listen, any singer who dances all the time, you don't have the breath to sing all the time. Everyone knows that. It's unfair to make it a point. If you do a heavy dance routine, at some point you're going to do a bit of lip-synch. But everybody does that. Madonna sings everything she can sing but, if she goes into a dance routine, she's got to dance; you can't breathe and dance and sing at the same time. She doesn't lip-synch her whole performance.
'I bet Elton has lip-synched moments of his performance, even though he's at a piano all the time. He's very bossy these days, I think. I mean he's lovely but he's a bit bossy and he does seem a bit cranky.'

Re-Visiting Re-Invention brings you totally new pictures and video clips not previously published, if you still have more clips or pictures from the tour you can email them to madonnalicious here.

madonnalicious visitor Bronagh sent in some great pictures she took at Madonna's show at Slane Castle in Ireland on Sunday 29 August. To view larger versions of all 18 pictures visit the tour gallery and scroll down to the 29 August dates.

 

 

 

 

Elton John's rant aimed at Madonna during yesterday's Q Awards in London has gained a large tabloid press coverage around the world and especially in the UK.
Most of the UK press dismiss the accusations as a seemingly typical Elton John 'tantrum', and printed Madonna's classy statement in return!

 

 

 

To celebrate 21 years since Madonna's rise to fame Able Productions Presents:

MADONNA RETROSPECTIVE
Showcasing Madonna's best-loved music videos, incorporating rare performances and live footage.
FRIDAY 15TH OCTOBER 2004
Metro Arts Studio, 109 Edward St Brisbane (next to The Victory)
Screenings at 6.30pm & 9.00pm
All tickets $10.00 per person
Bookings now open! Phone (07) 3388 0051 or book online at www.ableproductions.com

Hey Madonna fans,
Madonna is thrilled to announce the debut of her official ringtones & images service for your mobile phone!
Now you can take Madonna's music and image with you wherever you go!
Eight of her greatest hits are now available as mobile phone ringtones as well as 16 of her most stunning live and studio shots.
Personalize your mobile now and turn it into an authentic Madonna devoted device!

For more information visit here.

Madonna is featured on the cover of the new issue of Top Shampoo a free magazine that is found in the 180 Shampoo hair salons in Europe.

 

Madonna responded to Elton John's outburst this afternoon with this short but sweet statement from Liz Rosenberg:
Madonna does not lip-synch nor does she spend her time trashing other artists.
She sang every note on her Reinvention tour live and is not ashamed that she was well paid for her hard work.
Elton John remains on her Christmas card list whether he is nice....or naughty.

Sir Elton John launched a vitriolic attack on Madonna today, accusing her of cheating fans by miming on stage.
The star targeted the Queen of Pop in his latest public outburst.
Attending the Q Awards to pick up a prize for his songwriting, Sir Elton was incensed to find Madonna had been nominated for best live act.
Taking to the stage, Sir Elton blasted: 'Madonna - best f**ing live act? F*** off. Since when has lip-synching been live? Anyone who lip-synchs in public on stage when you pay £75 to see them should be shot.'
He ended his rant by saying: 'That's me off her f***ing Christmas card list but do I give a toss? No.'
Madonna did not win the award - that honour went to British band Muse.
She was nominated for her Re-Invention tour. The show attracted criticism in some quarters because tickets were so expensive.
Today's outburst at the Grosvenor House Hotel in Central London came after Sir Elton hit the headlines last month by branding Taiwanese photographers 'rude, vile pigs' in an airport bust-up.

madonnalicious visitor Nuno has shared these great clips filmed by João from Portugal from front and centre at the 13 September show at the Atlantic Pavilion in Lisbon. Included in the montage are clips of Mother and Father, Imagine, Into The Groove and Holiday and full versions of Lament and Music.

Today's edition of UK newspaper the Sunday Mirror featured a fun article on Madonna and Guy's passion for wearing hats and how they even share them.
The article compared Madonna and Guy wearing each style and decided who wore it better....and for the record the final score was Madonna 5 Guy 2!

 

madonnalicious visitor Mate took some pictures at the second Paris show at the Palais Omnisports De Bercy on Thursday 02 September. To view larger versions of all 4 pictures visit the tour gallery and scroll down to the 02 September dates.

   

madonnalicious visitor Florence took these great pictures at the Palais Omnisports De Bercy show in Paris on Thursday 02 September. To view larger versions of all the pictures visit the tour gallery and scroll down to the 02 September dates.

 

 

 

madonnalicious visitor Claudio took these pictures at the Thursday 02 September show at the Palais Omnisports De Bercy in Paris. To view larger versions of all 5 pictures visit the tour gallery and scroll down to the 02 September dates.

 

The new album of Italian singer Laura Pausini features a song written by Madonna.
Madonna wrote the song with Rick Nowels and Laura translated the verses into Italian, however the chorus remained in English.
The track is called Me Abandono A Ti and will be featured on Laura's new album Resta in Ascolto which is released this month.
Laura herself had this to say about the track:
Madonna gave me full freedom in how to translate the lyrics, it's not a exact translation, the lyrics talk about finding inner peace.'

CAUSING A LOCOMOTION....THURSDAY 7th OCTOBER 2004

Nightlife In Melbourne/Chapel St is going POP on Thursday nights starting in October.
A Kylie and Madonna Marathon THE VIPER ROOM 9.00pm Thursday October 7th. Free Entry Before 9.00pm.

For more information click on the image.

Despite many rumours in the press, the Re-Invention tour will not be extended to any other venues or countries. Madonna's manager Caresse Henry has confirmed that there will be no extension to the tour.

Just a reminder that UK fans can catch Madonna's cameo appearance in the Will and Grace episode Dolls and Dolls on Channel 4 at 9.00pm tonight.

Sources confirm that talks are ongoing for Madonna and manager Caresse Henry to join Sanctuary. The deal would include both Madonna as a recording artist for the company's label and Henry within its management stable, though it's 'not done yet,' cautioned Henry.

Pop superstar Madonna has one regret about her new clothing line the English Roses Collection - she's too old to wear it.
The Material Girl recently launched the line, based on her children's books, and the mother-of-two says she'd love to be able to wear some of the items herself.
She says, 'I wish I was eight years old again and could fit into an English Roses outfit. I have tried to squeeze into one of my daughter's shirts and I looked ridiculous. No fair!'

'Madonna is a part of the generation of artists, that started their career after the end of Abba. In the years of my post ABBA career she was part of the serious competition.
I admit that at the beginning I wasn't impressed by her vocal potentialities and was wondering how she sold so much records. But time passed and Madonna proved she is an artist and a character that can develop, seek and provoke.
I went to one of her concerts and I was amazed by her energy,her power on stage. And musically I think she became better with the times. I loved her work with Orbit on 'Ray Of Light' because the compositions are melodious and at the same time modern, the words are full with life and emotion.
I think she is one of the biggest artists of our time. She managed easily to enter into the new millenium. She has a strong character and I've respect for her resistance and her will to go on despite the disappointments.'