A fixture in the downtown New York City scene of the early 1980s, he held court at Danceteria and produced the Queen of Pop’s debut single, “Everybody.” Says Madonna in a statement to THR: “He believed in me before anyone else did.”

Pioneering DJ and producer Mark Kamins, who was instrumental in facilitating the signing of Madonna to Sire Records in 1982, has died. He was 57. According to BlackBook, on Feb. 14, he suffered “a massive coronary” in Guadalajara, Mexico, where he has been teaching. Word spread on Facebook, where many friends of the Downtown New York City scenester posted remembrances. The particular poignancy of his passing is surely the marking of the chronology of those connected to the incipient development of the biggest musical star of our time — the mortality surrounding the cultural immortal that is the Queen of Pop.

In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, Madonna writes: “I’m very sorry to hear about Marks death. I haven’t seen him for years but if it weren’t for him, I might not have had a singing career. He was the first DJ to play my demos before I had a record deal. He believed in me before anyone else did. I owe him a lot. May he Rest in Peace.”

Kamins, noted for always living his life in the grandest of fashions, had apparently been struggling with heart problems for some months.

Legend has it that he took the budding superstar and clubland habitue Madonna Ciccone under his wing, passing her demo on to Sire Records honcho Seymour Stein, who quickly signed her — the rest, of course, is pop history. Kamins, who also produced her nascent single “Everybody,” would be the first in a line of high-profile Madonna beaus, eventually to be usurped by the likes of Jellybean Benitez and, of course, many others. A significant talent in his own right, he went on to work with radical performance artist Karen Finley, as well as 80’s musical giants such as David Byrne, the Beastie Boys and Sinead O’Connor.

Benitez wrote on Facebook: “So sad to learn of the passing of Mark Kamins … I will never forget the first time we met and how much we laughed … I also loved watching and listening to you DJ at Danceteria … I never knew what you would play next … U are and will always be an inspiration to many … I will miss u … Rest in Peace my friend.”

Downtown documentarian Steve Lewis writes on BlackBookMag.com that Kamins “was brilliant yet lost, a good friend but often very much a loner. I DJ’d with him at subMercer a couple years back and it was just about the most fun I’ve had at that game.”

Kamins perhaps distinctly represented a lost New York club scene of debauchery and illicit behavior, replaced now by bottle service and bankers. A fixture at the legendarily uninhibited Danceteria, where he mingled not only with the soon-to-be Material Girl, but also with downtown icons Keith Haring, LL Cool J, and the Beastie Boys, his remixes included superstars of the time like Kajagoogoo and Ofra Haza.

Seemingly universally loved for his benevolence, he was memorialized in a posting by friend Marci Weber on Facebook: “Mark was a friend to so many people and always had a good story. He was a kind hearted generous man and always had time for his friends. He lived life to it’s fullest and perhaps that is why he left us so soon.”

His legacy is secure as a central figure of one of New York City’s most fertile and experimental periods in terms of music, clubbing and lifestyle iconoclasm.

Exact details of Kamin’s passing were not known by press time. He is survived by a son.

source: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/madonna-producer-mark-kamins-dies-421974

Cheers! Madonna Joins Instagram, Flashes Cleavage and Sips Martini in First Pics

Madonna’s ready to vogue it up on Instagram.

The warhorse diva has joined the photo-centric social-media site, and she’s raising her glass to mark the occasion. No, literally—she is. For one of her first pics, the 54-year-old pop superstar has posted a snap of her sipping a dirty martini while rocking some pretty bangin’ bangs. “Cheers motherf–kers! I’m on Instagram,” she wrote in the caption. Of course, it wouldn’t be Madonna if she didn’t at least try to flash some flesh, and she was more than happy to oblige, uploading a close-up pic of some mega cleavage, along with the caption: “Addicted to sweat !!!!!” (Seriously: Madge looks drenched.)

Within days, her account had already racked up an impressive 55,000 followers.

But the singer also posted some surprisingly revealing snaps, including a pic of her scowling onstage with a bloody eye after apparent getting clocked in the face.

Well, if there’s anything we’ve learned about the sturdy diva throughout her controversy-prone, roller-coaster career, it’s that she definitely knows how to roll with the punches.

source: http://www.eonline.com/news/387088/cheers-madonna-joins-instagram-flashes-cleavage-and-sips-martini-in-first-pics

Thanks to the SUPER SEXY Mark A. for sharing this — you know who you are mister sexy man!

Madonna’s no stranger to fitness. In addition to a rigorous workout regimen of her own, Madonna owns a gym in Mexico City that specializes in cardio. Now the Material Girl has expanded to a whole new territory — your living room!  Madonna teamed up with her personal trainer, Nicole Winhoffer, to launch a line of workout DVDs titled

Madonna’s no stranger to fitness. In addition to a rigorous workout regimen of her own, Madonna owns a gym in Mexico City that specializes in cardio. Now the Material Girl has expanded to a whole new territory — your living room!  Madonna teamed up with her personal trainer, Nicole Winhoffer, to launch a line of workout DVDs titled “Addicted to Sweat.”

“Addicted to Sweat is inspired by my workout regimen that I do consistently to take care of my mind and body. My trainer Nicole and I have created this program that has helped give me the body I have today,” Madonna wrote on the retail website.

During an interview with Huffington Post, Winhoffer said the DVDs were a true partnership between her and Madonna. Winhoffer said that Madonna picked everything from the music, to the routine, to the DVD designs.

“Fitness is so important to her because she’s one to empower people,” Winhoffer said. “She’s the perfect example to share her workout with people around the world.”

According to the “Addicted to Sweat” website, there are currently four (salaciously named) videos…

• ATS Dance, Get Wet: “Structured like a dance class, Winhoffer breaks down all steps in this tutorial-style DVD. It will hone in on the importance of form and focus in order to perfect choreographed dances and get the best out of each workout.”
• Jawbreaker Towel, Slippery When Wet: “This total body conditioning workout targets every muscle that pays special attention to the abs, core, arms, chest and back. The warm up focuses on standing and floor exercises, then after a full-body routine, moves into a flexibility and mobility cool down.”
• ATS Dance, Wet, Wet, Wild: “Building from DVD one, Winhoffer pushes the danceskills to the next level, featuring more diverse moves that will increase the power of the workout.”
• Jawbreaker Chair, Dripping Wet: “A chair and the floor are the only tools required for this extreme and unique workout aimed to sculpt, tone and tighten the entire body.  The chair will enhance all of the exercises for the butt, hips and thighs, and the floor will work the abs and core. The reps and intensity are both increased for ultimate results.”

I don’t know anyone who would deny that 54-year-old Madonna looks great — and if these DVDs are the secret to her body, then they very well may be worth a shot!

Source: starcasm.net