Madonna

Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone was born on 16 August 1958 in Rochester Michigan, USA. Madonna excelled at dance and drama at high school and during brief periods at colleges in Michigan and North Carolina.

In 1977 she went to New York, studying with noted choreographer Alvin Ailey and taking modelling jobs. Two years later, Madonna moved to France to join a show featuring disco singer Patrick Hernandez. There she met Dan Gilroy and, back in New York, the pair formed club band the Breakfast Club. Madonna played drums and sang with the band. With leading New York disc jockey Mark Kamins producing, she recorded 'Everybody', a US club hit in 1982.

Madonna broke out from the dance scene into mainstream pop with 'Holiday', written and produced by John 'Jellybean' Benitez. It reached the US Top 20 and was a Top 10 hit across Europe in 1984. By now, her tough, raunchy persona was coming across to international audiences and the attitude was underlined by the choice of Tom Kelly and Billy Steinberg's catchy 'Like A Virgin' as a 1984 single. It was the first of ten US number 1 hits for Madonna. Among these was 'Material Girl', the video which introduced one of her most characteristic visual styles, the mimicking of Marilyn Monroe's 'blonde bombshell' image. By the time of the Live Aid concert, at which she appeared, and her high-profile wedding to actor Sean Penn, Madonna had become an internationally recognized superstar.

From 1985-87, she turned out a stream of irresistibly catchy hit singles. 'Crazy For You' and 'Into The Groove' were followed by 'Dress You Up' and 'Papa Don't Preach', with its message of generational rebellion. 'True Blue', 'Open Your Heart' and 'La Isla Bonita' were later successes.

Madonna's film career had begun in 1980 with a minor role in the b-movie A Certain Sacrifice before she starred in Desperately Seeking Susan (1985). In Shanghai Surprise (1986), Madonna appeared with Penn, from whom she separated in 1988.

Madonna continued to attract controversy when, in 1989, the video for 'Like A Prayer', with its links between religion and eroticism, was condemned by the Vatican and caused Pepsi-Cola to cancel a sponsorship deal with the star. The resulting publicity helped the album of the same title to become a global bestseller.

In 1990, her career reached a new peak of publicity and commercial success. She starred with Warren Beatty in the blockbuster film Dick Tracy, while the extravagant costumes and choreography of the Blond Ambition world tour were the apotheosis of Madonna's combination of sexuality, song, dance and religiosity. The tour was commemorated by a documentary film Truth Or Dare On The Band Behind The Scenes, And In Bed With Madonna, released in 1991. Among the hits of the early 90s were 'Vogue', 'Justify My Love' and 'Rescue Me'.

Madonna's reputation as a strong businesswoman, in control of each aspect of her career, was confirmed in 1992 when she signed a multi-million dollar deal with the Time-Warner conglomerate. This guaranteed the release of albums, films and books created by her own Maverick production company. The publication of her graphic and erotic book Sex put her back on top of the charts, though this time it was in the bestselling book lists. The book was an unprecedented success, selling out within hours and needing an immediate reprint.

In 1996 her need to shock had mellowed considerably with a credible movie portrayal of Eva Peron in Evita. Later that year she became 'with child' on 14 October with the birth of Lourdes Maria Ciccone Leon. She returned to music with 1998's Ray of Light, one of her finest recordings to date. Her voice had matured into a rich and expressive instrument.

9. Here is an article from The Daily Telegraph featuring Madonna’s arrival for the premiere of her new film in London. What do you learn from it about the singer?

Pregnant Madonna is premiere attraction

Madonna brought London's Leicester Square to a standstill Tuesday night when she arrived with her boyfriend Guy Ritchie for the premiere of her new film The Next Best Thing.

The American singer, who is pregnant with her second child, spoke of her cravings for eggs and olives as she proudly showed off her bump in a black outfit.

She said she did not know whether she would stay in London to bring up her child. But asked what she liked about the capital she said: "The countryside with a glass of stout and I love my boyfriend."

Madonna has the leading role in the romantic comedy starring as a yoga instructor who has a child with a homosexual friend played by the British actor Rupert Everett.

Other celebrities at the charity premiere included the television celebrity Paula Yates, the singers Natalie Imbruglia and Mick Hucknall, and Melanie Chisholm, better known as Sporty Spice.

Madonna said the film's "unconventional storyline" attracted her. "It is a real statement for where we're headed in terms of relationships. It seems fewer people are in standard conventional relationships.

"Some women are choosing to have babies with a friend, single women are raising children on their own and men are entering into relationships and becoming stepfathers.

"You always take risks with love, whether it's with a friend, or lover, or your child. You take risks and make mistakes."

If you were a reporter going to interview Madonna, which five questions would you ask her?

Do you think Madonna’s last phrase quoted in the article - “You take risks and make mistakes” – can be used to refer to her life and career?

Which factors in your opinion ensure a singer’s success? First discuss this question in pairs to make lists of such factors, then compare your lists in groups of four, and finally come to a collective opinion.

Remember the concert of pop music you visited last. Discuss your impressions with your group-mate in a dialogue. Speak about the program, participants, instruments and sound quality, audience, etc.