Madonna set the bar high for pop music in the 80s. Her live performance were and still are provocative and boundary-pushing. This year, Madonna launches her global “Celebration” Tour, highlighting her hits from every era of her career and we anticipate a plethora of '80s gems to be performed. So, in anticipation of her upcoming live shows we take a look back at some of her unforgettable performances from the decade that launched her into super stardom...and as Madonna quite plainly says in her hit song "Into The Groove," - "...and you can dance for inspiration."
Here are some of our favorites:
"Like a Virgin" (1984 MTV Video Music Awards): Madonna's performance of "Like a Virgin" at the first ever MTV Video Music Awards was a game-changer. Dressed in a wedding dress and writhing on the floor, Madonna showed the world that she was a force to be reckoned with. Her provocative performance was a defining moment in pop culture history.
"Express Yourself" (1989 MTV Video Music Awards): Madonna's performance of "Express Yourself" at the 1989 MTV Video Music Awards was a tour de force. Dressed in a now iconic Jean Paul Gaultier cone bra and a tuxedo jacket, Madonna's stage presence through silhouette, that illuminated staircase, and bold chereography is liberating and flawless.
"Holiday" (1985 Live Aid): In July of 1985,100,000 people were gathered at the John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia for an event organized by Sir Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise funds for the Ethiopian famine disaster. Here, Madonna's charisma and confidence is on full display. There is no background. There is no special effects. It's just pure Madonna. Her energy was seen by around 40% of the global population, as the event was broadcast around the world via one of the largest satellite link-ups of all time.
Need more Madonna? Her latest 6-LP collection, Finally Enough Love: 50 Number Ones is out now, with a vinyl version releasing on June 26.
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