FOLIO LINE FOLIO LINE FOLIO LINE “Music” “Ray of Light” “Something to Remember” “Bedtime Stories” “Erotica” “The Immaculate “I’m Breathless” “Like a Prayer” “You Can Dance” (2000; Maverick) (1998; Maverick) (1995; Maverick) (1994; Maverick) (1992; Maverick) Collection”(1990; Sire) (1990; Sire) (1989; Sire) (1987; Sire) BY CHUCK MYERS Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services hether a virgin, vamp or techno wrangler, Madon- na has mastered the public- image makeover. With a keen sense of what will sell, she reinvents herself Who’s That Girl? and transforms her music in Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone was ways that mystify critics and generate fan interest. born on Aug. 16, 1958, in Bay City, Mich. Madonna staked her claim to the public eye by challenging social norms. Her public persona has Oh Father evolved over the years, from campy vixen to full- Madonna’s father, Sylvio, was a design en- figured screen siren to platinum bombshell to gineer for Chrysler/General Dynamics. Her leather-clad femme fatale. Crucifixes, outerwear mother, Madonna, died of breast cancer in undies and erotic fetishes punctuated her act and 1963. Her father later married Joan Gustafson, riled critics. a woman who had worked as the Ciccone Part of Madonna’s secret to success has been family housekeeper. her ability to ride the music video train to stardom. The onetime self-professed “Boy Toy” burst onto I’ve Learned My Lesson Well the pop music scene with a string of successful Madonna was an honor roll student at music video hits on MTV during the 1980s. With Adams High School in Rochester, Mich. After each release, she became more graduation in 1976, she attended the Universi- emboldened to push the limits of ty of Michigan on a dance scholarship for two social standards. Her portrayal years. of a saucy peep show dancer in the 1987 video “Open Your You Can Dance Heart” caused an uproar. In Madonna initially thought her feet, not her 1985 1990, MTV drew the line, ban- vocal cords, would take her to the top. After a ning her video for “Justify My move to New York in the late 1970s, she took Love” because of its steamy con- dance classes and eventually earned a spot tent. with the Alvin Ailey Dance Troupe. Although Many critics have credited her time with the company was brief, her Madonna with a savvy sense of dance skills would become an important part marketing, noting her ability to of her career as a pop performer. tap into trends. Others have been 1987 less impressed. Some in the me- dia criticized her sexually Into the Groove charged lyrics and racy perfor- Madonna started writing her own music mances, while religious groups and dabbling with the guitar around 1981. In railed against her blasphemous late 2000, she gave a rare guitar performance use of sacred symbols. One of her “Don’t Tell Me” on “The Late Show British newspaper even called With David Letterman.” The pop star had her 1993 her the “porn-again superstar.” guitar teacher play along side her to help Feminists fumed too, complain- steady her nerves. ing that her antics damaged the women’s movement. Express Yourself In the mid-1990s, Madonna Madonna has enjoyed experienced another change: moderate success as a film motherhood. The turbo-charged actress. She earned positive reviews for her perfor- 2000 diva reigned in her act and stepped away from touring to fo- mances in the 1984 screw- cus on being a full-time mom. ball farce “Desperately Her 1998 album “Ray of Light” marked another Seeking Susan,” and scored Madonna in shift in her music taste, this time toward techno. In critical points as Eva Peron the title role of 2000, richly textured techno rhythms wrapped in a in the 1996 movie adaptation 1996’s “Evita.” Western motif shot her album “Music” up the mu- of the Broadway musical sic charts. “Evita.” But she’s had her share of flops as Long ago, many detractors wrote off Madon- well. Critics dished out less than favorable re- na’s staying power. But her lucky star refused to views for her most recent effort, “The Next dim. Punchy tunes, solid record sales and stiff dos- Best Thing,” in 2000. es of hype have proved the perfect formula for keeping her at the top of the music world — and Love Don’t Live Here Anymore vexing the naysayers. Over the years, Madonna has been roman- PHOTO COURTESY OF FOX BROADCASTING COMPANY tically linked to artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, rap singer Vanilla Ice, actor Warren Beatty and former basketball star Dennis Rodman. She From “Papa Don’t Preach” From “Express Yourself” From “Ray of Light” was married to actor Sean Penn from 1985 to 3. Papa don’t preach, I’m in trouble 6. You know, you know, you’ve 9. Faster than the speeding light she’s fly- 1989. deep got to ing Papa don’t preach, I’ve been losing sleep Make him express how he feels Trying to remember where it all began Crazy For You After months of speculation, the pop queen ____________________________________ ________________________ _____________________________________ tied the knot with British film director Guy Are you a Madonna fan? See how many Ritchie in December 2000. The private cere- lyric lines you can complete from some of From “Open Your Heart” From “Vogue” From “Music” mony was held at a Scottish castle amid tight singer’s most popular hits. 4. Open your heart to me, darlin’ 7. Greta Garbo, and 10. Hey Mister D.J. security. The guest list reportedly included pop Monroe Put a record on singer Sting and his wife Trudie Styler (who ________________________ Deitrich and DiMaggio introduced the couple at a dinner party), actors From “Material Girl” Gwyneth Paltrow, Brad Pitt and Jennifer An- 1. Some boys kiss me, some boys hug me Marlon Brando, Jimmy _____________________________________ Dean niston, rocker Jon Bon Jovi and fashion de- I think they’re OK From “Live To Tell” signer Donatella Versace. If they don’t give me proper credit 5. A man can tell a baby. my with dance wanna I 10) heaven; thousand lies _____________________ of piece little a herself got She’s 9) defeat; admit Cherish _____________________________________ cry, to strength more takes It 8) magazine; a of I’ve learned my lesson Madonna has two children. Her daughter, well From “You’ll See” cover the On 7) real; is love his know you’ll then Lourdes, was born in 1996 during a relation- From “Crazy For You” 8. You think that you are maybe And 6) tell; to live I Hope 5) key; the turn ship with personal trainer Carlos Leon. Her 2. Trying hard to control my heart ________________ strong, but you are weak you if love you give I’ll 4) baby; my keeping I’m son, Rocco, was born in 2000, a few months I walk over to where you are You’ll see, mind, my up made I But 3) all; at words no need before her marriage to Ritchie. 1) I just walk away; 2) Eye to eye we eye to Eye 2) away; walk just I 1) Madonna performs during the Answers: —Chuck Myers _____________________________________ 1998 MTV Video Music Awards. ______________________ MICHAEL KITADA/KRT “True Blue” “Like a Virgin” “Madonna” “Austin Powers,The “Evita”* “With Honors”* “Who’s That Girl?”* “Desperately Seeking “Vision Quest”* (1986; Sire) (1985; Sire) (1983; Sire) Spy Who Shagged Me”* (1996) (1994) (1987) Susan”* (1985) (1999) (1985) * MOVIE SOUNDTRACK KRT MADONNA KNIGHT RIDDER/TRIBUNE.