» Madonna Career Diary (By Maurice Gravelle)

» 1990 Jan Warner Bros Records releases a full-page advertisement in magazines which proclaims Madonna as "Artist Of The Decade". (6) "Oh Father" hits US #20 and completes her run of 16 consecutive Top 5 singles in US. (9,10,11) Madonna holds open auditions for male dancers for her new world tour at Landmark Studios, Hollywood, CA. (23) Like A Prayer is certified 3x platinum (3 million units). Feb (2) "Keep It Together" single is released. (14) Bloodhounds Of Broadway is released on home video. Mar Madonna breaks box-office records as 1,500 concert tickets are sold to fans across America in only 68 seconds. (1) "Vogue" video premieres on MTV. (8) Madonna wins Worst Female Singer and Worst Video ("Like A Prayer") in Rolling Stone magazine's 14th annual Readers Poll. (12) Like A Prayer is named The Grand Prix Album Of The Year at the 4th annual Japan Gold Disc Awards in Tokyo. (30) "Vogue" single is released. (31) "Keep It Together" hits US #8. Apr (11) "Keep It Together" single is certified gold (500,000 units). (13,14,15) "Blond Ambition World Tour 1990" opens with 3 sold-out concerts at the Marine Stadium, Makuhari, Japan. (20,21,22) Madonna performs 3 sold-out concerts at Nishinomiya Stadium, Osaka, Japan. (25,26,27) Madonna performs 3 sold-out concerts at Yokohama Stadium, Yokohama, Japan. May (1) Madonna guests on Fox-TV's The Arsenio Hall Show. (4,5) Madonna opens the 12-city North American leg of "Blond Ambition World Tour 1990" at The Summit, Houston, TX. (7,8) Madonna performs at the Reunion Arena, Dallas, TX. (11,12,13,15) Madonna performs 4 sold-out concerts at the Sports Arena, Los Angeles, CA. (18,19,20) Madonna performs at the Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, CA. (19) "Vogue" hits US #1 for 3 weeks. (22) I'm Breathless: Music From And Inspired By The Film Dick Tracy CD is released. (23) Bloodhounds Of Broadway (originally filmed in 1987-88) premieres on PBS-TV as an "American Playhouse" presentation. (23,24) Madonna performs at the Rosemont Horizon, Chicago, IL. (25) Madonna cancels a third scheduled concert at the Rosemont Horizon, Chicago, IL, due to laryngitis. (26) Madonna is honored with Pop Artist Of The Decade, Dance Artist Of The Decade and Dance Single Of The Decade ("Into The Groove") in Billboard magazine's "Music Of The 80s" Poll. (27,28,29) Madonna performs 3 sold-out concerts at the SkyDome, Toronto, ON, Canada: on May 29, police officers threaten to arrest her on the grounds of lewd and obscene behavior for a masturbation sequence but no charges are filed. (31) Madonna performs at The Palace Of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, MI. Jun (1) Madonna performs at The Palace Of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, MI and invites her father onstage to sing him "Happy Birthday". Madonna is controversially featured grabbing her crotch and breast on the cover of Interview magazine. (4,5) Madonna performs at The Centrum, Worcester, MA. (6) Madonna cancels a third scheduled concert at The Centrum, Worcester, MA, again due to recurring throat problems. (8,9) Madonna performs at the Capital Centre, Landover, MD. (10) Madonna and Warren Beatty attend the premiere of Dick Tracy in Washington, DC. (11,12,13) Madonna performs at Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, NY. (14) "Vogue" single is certified 1x platinum (1 million units). (15) Dick Tracy is released nationwide. Madonna cancels a concert at The Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA, again due to laryngitis. (16,17) Madonna performs at The Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA. (17) Dick Tracy grosses $23 million at the US box-office on its opening weekend. (20,21) Madonna performs 2 sold-out concerts at the Meadowlands Arena, East Rutherford, NJ. (22) "Hanky Panky" single is released. (23) I'm Breathless: Music From And Inspired By The Film Dick Tracy hits US #2. (24) Madonna performs an AIDS benefit concert in memory of artist Keith Haring at the Meadowlands Arena, East Rutherford, NJ, which raises $300,000 for the American Foundation For AIDS Research (AMFAR). (28) "Vogue" single is certified 2x platinum (2 million units) - the biggest-selling single by a female artist ever. (30) Madonna opens the European leg of "Blond Ambition World Tour 1990" at Eriksberg Stadium, Gothenburg, Sweden. Jul (2) In Italy, Roman Catholic groups condemn Madonna's concert as blasphemous due to her controversial show's sex and religion themes and plan to cancel her concerts in Rome and Turin. (3,4,6) Madonna performs 3 sold-out concerts at Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy, Paris, France. (9) Madonna arrives on tour in Rome, Italy and holds a press conference at Rome Airport in which she defends her concert and also voices her opinions on artistic expression and freedom of speech. (10) Madonna performs at Stadio Flaminio, Rome, Italy. (11) Madonna's second scheduled concert at Stadio Flaminio, Rome, Italy is cancelled due to poor ticket sales and a union strike. (13) Madonna performs at Stadio Delle Alpi, Turin, Italy. (15) Madonna performs at the Olympic Stadium, Munich, Germany. (17) Madonna performs at Westfalenhalle, Dortmund, Germany. (20,21,22) Madonna performs 3 sold-out concerts at Wembley Stadium, London, England. (24) Madonna performs at Feyenoord Stadium, Rotterdam, Holland. (27) Madonna performs a sold-out concert at Vicente Calderon Stadium, Madrid, Spain. (28) "Hanky Panky" hits US #10. (29) Madonna performs at Balaidos Stadium, Vigo, Spain. (30) I'm Breathless: Music From And Inspired By The Film Dick Tracy is certified 2x platinum (2 million units). Aug (1) Madonna performs at Olympic Stadium, Barcelona, Spain. (5) Madonna - Live! Blond Ambition World Tour 90 is broadcast live on HBO-TV from Stade de l'Ouest, Nice, France and seen in more than 4.3 million households - it is the most-watched entertainment special in the network's 18-year history. Sep (6) Madonna performs "Vogue" at the 7th annual MTV Video Music Awards at the Universal Amphitheatre, Los Angeles, CA; "Vogue" wins Best Direction, Best Editing and Best Cinematography. (7) Madonna is honored with the Commitment To Life Award and performs "Vogue" at the Commitment To Life IV benefit for AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA) at the Wiltern Theatre, Los Angeles, CA. (18) Madonna attends the New York premiere of Martin Scorsese film GoodFellas at the Museum Of Modern Art. (19) "Hanky Panky" single is certified gold (500,000 units). Oct (1) Madonna is named the top-earning female entertainer of 1990 by Forbes magazine with an annual income of $39 million. "Madonna: Blond Ambition World Tour Live" is released only on laserdisc. (2) Madonna attends the opening night of Martha Graham's 180th ballet "Maple Leaf Rag" at the City Centre, New York, NY. (16) Madonna visits Paris, France to attend fashion shows by Jean-Paul Gaultier and Thierry Mugler. (22) Madonna is featured in a public service announcement on MTV's Rock The Vote in which she is wrapped in the US flag and urges young people to register and vote; the ad causes a controversy with US Veterans of Foreign Wars who are enraged by her provocative use of the American flag and say that it borders on desecration. Nov (8) "Justify My Love" single is released. (9) Madonna begins filming "Justify My Love" video at Royal Monceau Hotel in Paris, France, directed by Jean-Baptiste Mondino. (13) The Immaculate Collection greatest hits CD and video are released. (11) Madonna wins Best Female Solo Singer and Most Fanciable Female at the 3rd annual Smash Hits Awards in London, England. (15) Madonna is crowned "The Image Of The Eighties" by Rolling Stone magazine. (21) A $1 million lawsuit is filed against Madonna by her neighbor, Donald Robinson, who complains that the trees on her property are obstructing his view of the Hollywood Hills, CA. (24) The Immaculate Collection hits UK #1 for nine weeks and is the biggest-selling album in UK by a female solo artist. (27) MTV network excecutives announce it has banned "Justify My Love" video due to extremely strong displays of sexuality. (28) In Canada, "Justify My Love" video is also banned by MuchMusic network because of its sexual content. Dec (1) Madonna is named one of the 10 "Women Of The Year" by Glamour magazine. (3) Madonna is interviewed by via satellite from Los Angeles, CA by Forrest Sawyer to discuss censorship and her "Justify My Love" video world premieres in its entirety on ABC-TV's Nightline. (6) A Los Angeles Superior Court judge dismisses the $1 million lawsuit against Madonna filed by Donald Robinson and orders her to trim the trees on her property. (7) "Justify My Love" is released as the first-ever video single, priced at $9.98. (11) Madonna: The Royal Box, a box-set which includes The Immaculate Collection CD/video, postcards and poster, is released. (19) Dick Tracy is released on home video. (24) Madonna In Concert (taped at Olympic Stadium, Barcelona, Spain on Aug 1, 1990) is broadcast on BBC2-TV. » 1991 Jan Madonna begins filming Shadows And Fog, starring John Malkovich and Mia Farrow, directed by Woody Allen. (3) Rabbi Abraham Cooper of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, Los Angeles, CA, accuses Madonna of anti-semetism over the lyrics of "Justify My Love" CD single remix called "The Beast Within" and wants copies of her single removed from record stores (4) Madonna releases a statement of denial about the anti-semetic lyrics of "Justify My Love" CD single remix: "I certainly didn't have any anti-semetic intent when I included a passage from the Bible on my record. It was a commentary on evil in general. My message, if any, is pro-tolerance and antihate. The song is, after all, about love". (5) "Justify My Love" hits US #1. (13) Madonna presents the Best Foreign Film award for The Nasty Girl to its director Michael Verhoeven at the 56th annual New York Film Critics Circle Awards in the Rainbow Room at Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY. (18) The Immaculate Collection is certified 2x platinum (2 million units). (19) "The Immaculate Collection" hits US #1 and "Justify My Love" hits US #2 on Top Music Videos chart. (26) The Immaculate Collection hits US #2. (28) "Vogue" wins Favorite Dance Single at the 18th annual American Music Awards at the Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, CA. Feb (2) "Madonna: Blond Ambition World Tour Live" hits US #2 on Top Laserdisc Sales chart. (6) "The Immaculate Collection" video is certified multi-platinum (150,000 units). (18) "Crazy For You" is re-released as a UK single. (21) "Rescue Me" single is released. (22) "Justify My Love" single is certified 1x platinum (1 million units), "Justify My Love" video is certified 8x platinum (400,000 units). (25) Madonna presents a lifetime achievement award to Andrew Lloyd Webber at the Los Angeles Music Centre Benefactors' dinner at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel, Beverly Hills, CA. (27) "The Immaculate Collection" video is certified 2x platinum (200,000 units). Mar (2) "Crazy For You" hits UK #2. "Rescue Me" enters the US singles chart at #15 - the highest entry by a female artist. (3) "Vogue" wins International Single Of The Year at the 20th annual Juno Awards at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Vancouver, BC. (7) Madonna wins Best Single ("Vogue"), Best Video ("Vogue"), Best Tour (Blond Ambition Tour), Best-Dressed Female Artist and Sexiest Female Artist in Rolling Stone magazine's 15th annual Readers Poll. (20) "Madonna" video is certified multi-platinum (100,000 units). (23) "Rescue Me" hits US #9. (25) Madonna performs "Sooner Or Later" from Dick Tracy at the 63rd annual Academy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, CA and it wins the Oscar for Best Original Song by Stephen Sondheim; her escort at the awards is Michael Jackson. Apr (21) Madonna participates in the 3rd annual AIDS Dance-A-Thon at the Sports Arena, Los Angeles, CA. May (6) Madonna attends the Los Angeles premiere of Truth Or Dare, a film documentary of "Blond Ambition World Tour 1990", directed by Alek Keshishian, at the Pacific Cinerama Dome. (7) Madonna admits to her bisexuality in a controversial 2-part interview with The Advocate magazine. (8) Madonna attends the New York premiere of Truth Or Dare at the Ziegfeld Theatre. (9) "Like A Virgin" video (from Truth Or Dare) premieres on MTV. Madonna is interviewed on ABC-TV's Good Morning America. (10) Truth Or Dare is released nationwide. (11) Madonna makes a special guest appearance in "Wayne's World" skit on NBC-TV's Saturday Night Live. (12) Madonna arrives in Cannes, France for the 44th International Cannes Film Festival. (13) Madonna attends the premiere of Truth Or Dare at the Cannes Film Festival. (In Europe, it is re-titled In Bed With Madonna). (13,14) Madonna is featured in a 2-part interview with Regis Philbin on CBS-TV's Live With Regis & Kathie Lee. (15) In Bed With Madonna is released in France. (16) Madonna attends the premiere of Spike Lee's Jungle Fever at the Cannes Film Festival. (17) Truth Or Dare is released to 538 US movie theatres. (19) Truth Or Dare hits #3 at the US box-office with $3.38 million on its opening weekend. (22) Madonna attends model Naomi Campbell's 21st birthday party at Laura Belle restaurant, New York, NY. (24) "Rescue Me" single is certified gold (500,000 units). Jun (6) "Holiday" video (from Truth Or Dare) premieres on MTV. (15) "Holiday" is re-released as a UK single and hits #5. Jul (8) Madonna begins filming A League Of Their Own, starring Tom Hanks and Geena Davis, directed by Penny Marshall. (17) In Bed With Madonna premieres at the Marble Arch Odeon in London, England. (18) Madonna is named one of the "50 Most Beautiful People Of 1991" by People magazine. Aug (7) Madonna attends the Los Angeles premiere of film Paris Is Burning. Sep (5) "The Immaculate Collection" wins Best Long-Form Video at the 8th annual MTV Video Music Awards at the Universal Amphitheatre, Los Angeles, CA. Oct (9) Truth Or Dare is released on home video. (27) Madonna wins Best Female Solo Singer and Most Fanciable Female at the 4th annual Smash Hits Awards in London, England. (30) Madonna completes filming A League Of Their Own in Evansville, IN. Nov (23) Madonna is named Most Popular International Solo Female Artist at the 1st annual Australian Music Awards. (27) Madonna contributes a pre-taped monologue on ABC-TV special MTV 10. Dec (4) The Immaculate Collection is certified 3x platinum (3 million units). A rumor is announced that Madonna has tested HIV positive for AIDS: a statement denying the rumor is released by her representatives. (8) In a TV Guide magazine interview, Madonna causes a controversy when she complains about filming A League Of Their Own in Evansville, IN: she calls the town "boring", complains that the house she rented didn't have cable and says, "I may as well have been in Prague" - the citizens of Evansville are enraged by her comments: 300 townspeople gather in a parking lot to spell her name inside a circle with a line through it and send her a televised message: "Madonna, get a life!". (10) Madonna is honored with the Award Of Courage by the American Foundation For AIDS Research (AMFAR) at a Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel dinner, Beverly Hills, CA. » 1992 Jan Madonna and photographer Steven Meisel begin work on a book of erotica and sexual fantasies in Miami, FL. (21) A lawsuit is filed against Madonna by 3 ex-dancers: Oliver Crumes, Kevin Stea and Gabriel Trupin - they are charging her with invasion of privacy, fraud and deceit, intentional misrepresentation, suppression of fact, and intentional infliction of emotional distress for exposing their private lives in her 1991 film documentary Truth Or Dare. Feb (22) Madonna makes a surprise guest appearance in "Coffee Talk" skit with Mike Myers, Roseanne Arnold and Barbra Streisand on NBC-TV's Saturday Night Live. (25) "Madonna: Blond Ambition World Tour Live" wins Best Music Video - Long Form at the 34th annual Grammy Awards at Radio City Music Hall, New York. Mar (5) Madonna wins Best-Dressed Female Artist in Rolling Stone magazine's 16th annual Readers Poll. (20) Shadows And Fog is released. (30) Madonna attends Swifty Lazar's annual post-Academy Awards party at Spago's restaurant, Los Angeles, CA. Apr Madonna begins filming Body Of Evidence, co-starring Willem Dafoe and directed by Uli Edel. (20) Madonna signs a $60 million, seven-year contract with Time Warner Inc. as a joint venture to form a new multi-media entertainment company: she is made CEO of her own record and music publishing company called Maverick, which will also include TV, film, merchandising and book publishing divisions; she also re-negotiates and extends her contract with Sire Records: a $5 million advance per album, a 20% royalty rate and all her future recordings will be released by Maverick/Sire Records. (30) A black bustier worn by Madonna in "Open Your Heart" video is stolen from Frederick's Of Hollywood's lingerie museum during the 3-day riots in Los Angeles, CA. May (6) Frederick's Of Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA offers a $1,000 reward for the return of Madonna's bustier. (29) The FBI recovers 44 nude photographs of Madonna from a collection used for her upcoming Sex book: a man is arrested in West Hollywood, CA for trying to sell the pictures for $100,000 to an undercover FBI agent. Jun (8) Madonna begins recording sessions for Erotica album at Soundworks, New York, NY. (16) Madonna and Rosie O'Donnell (co-star of A League Of Their Own) guest together on Fox-TV's The Arsenio Hall Show. (18) "This Used To Be My Playground" single (from A League Of Their Own) is released. (25) Madonna attends the New York premiere of A League Of Their Own at the Ziegfeld Theatre. (30) "This Used To Be My Playground" video premieres on MTV. Madonna contributes a remixed version of "Supernatural" (originally released on B-side of "Cherish" single in 1989) to AIDS benefit CD Red Hot & Dance. Jul (1) A League Of Their Own is released nationwide. (7) Madonna contributes "This Used To Be My Playground" to Special Olympics benefit CD Barcelona Gold. Aug (8) "This Used To Be My Playground" hits US #1. (16) "Madonnathon 92: The 1st International Madonna Appreciation Convention" is held at the Holiday Inn, Southfield, MI. Sep (10) "This Used To Be My Playground" single is certified gold (500,000 units). (23) Madonna is featured in a public service announcement on MTV's Rock The Vote. (24) Madonna exposes her breasts in front of 6,000 people at a Jean-Paul Gaultier fashion show benefit at the Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, CA; the show raises $750,000 for the American Foundation For AIDS Research (AMFAR). Oct (2) "Erotica" video premieres on MTV. (4) Madonna visits Milan, Italy to begin her Sex and Erotica promotional tour: she attends the opening of Milanese Fashion Week and is presented with a Telegatto Award for Best International Female Artist. (5) Madonna is guest of honor at a disco party hosted by Italian designers Dolce and Gabbana in Milan, Italy. In US, NBC-TV's Friday Night Videos announces it will not broadcast "Erotica" video because of its controversial images of sex and bondage. (7,8) Madonna visits Hamburg, Germany to promote Sex and Erotica. (9) In Paris, it is announced that Madonna owes $2 million to the French government in back taxes from 2 concerts in 1987. (10) Madonna visits Paris, France on her Sex and Erotica promotional tour. (11) Madonna guests on 7 Sur 7 TV show in Paris, France. (12) Madonna visits London, England to complete Sex and Erotica promotional tour. (13) "Erotica" single is released. Madonna is interviewed on BBC1-TV's Jonathan Ross Presents … (14) Madonna denies she owes $2 million to France in back taxes and says: "I think the commissioner just wants to meet me". (15) Madonna is guest of honor at her Sex book party at the Industria Superstudio, Manhattan, NY. (20) Erotica CD is released. (21) Sex, a 128-page book of erotica and sexual fantasies written by Madonna, photographed by Steven Meisel, designed by Fabien Baron and edited by Glenn O'Brien, is released; the spiral-bound, metal-covered book is wrapped in a silver mylar bag with a copy of "Erotica" CD single, an 8-page comic book and priced at $49.95 US. Shadows And Fog is released on home video. (22) Sex has sold a record 150,000 US copies on its first day of release. (23) In Europe, Sex has sold over 100,000 copies in 2 days: England (100,000), France (25,000) and sold-out in Australia. (24) "Erotica" hits US #3. (26) In Japan, Sex is banned due to its controversial photos which violate the country's censorship law. (30) In Mesa, AZ, public libraries have cancelled Sex book orders after local residents have called to protest its purchase. (31) Sex has sold a record 500,000 copies in only one week. Nov (1) Sex hits #1 on the Washington Post non-fiction bestseller list. (3) Sex is banned in New Delhi, India and police officials announce they will confiscate copies of the book entering the country. (7) Erotica hits US #2. (8) Sex hits #1 on the New York Times non-fiction bestseller list. (16) Madonna attends the New York premiere of Spike Lee film Malcolm X at the Ziegfeld Theatre. (21) Madonna is named Most Popular International Solo Female Artist at the 2nd annual Australian Music Awards. (24) "Deeper And Deeper" video premieres on MTV. (26) In Paris, a Catholic group called The Future Of Culture files 2 lawsuits against Madonna and her publisher for corrupting the French youth with pornography and to have all copies of Sex book destroyed. Dec (1) Mayor Tom Bradley of Los Angeles, CA declares this day "Frederick's Of Hollywood Day" to celebrate the return of Madonna's bustier which was stolen on April 30 during the Los Angeles riots. (6) Madonna wins Best Female Solo Singer and Most Fanciable Female at the 5th annual Smash Hits Awards in London, England. (7) The Future Of Culture group loses a court battle against Madonna to have copies of her book destroyed in France. (10) "Deeper And Deeper" single is released. "Erotica" single is certified gold (500,000 units). (14) Madonna wins the Sour Apple Award given to a celebrity "who most believes his or her own popularity" from the Hollywood Women's Press Club at the 52nd annual Golden Apple Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, Beverly Hills, CA. (19) Sex is voted Hype Of The Year by readers of NME magazine in UK. (28) Madonna is named one of the "25 Most Intriguing People In The World For 1992" by People magazine. » 1993 Jan (6) Erotica is certified 2x platinum (2 million units). (9) Madonna attends a press conference to promote her new film Body Of Evidence at the Rihga Royal Hotel, Manhattan, NY. (11) Madonna is interviewed by Valerie Pringle on CTV's Canada A.M. and on ABC-TV's Entertainment Tonight. (14,15) Madonna is featured in a 2-part interview with Bryant Gumbel on NBC-TV's Today. (15) Body Of Evidence is released nationwide. (16) Madonna is musical guest on NBC-TV's Saturday Night Live: she performs "Fever" and "Bad Girl". 17) Body Of Evidence grosses $6.5 million at the US box-office on its opening weekend. (18) Madonna is interviewed on CBS-TV's This Morning. (20) Madonna guests on Parita Doppia TV show to promote Body Of Evidence in Rome, Italy. (30) "Deeper And Deeper" hits US #7. Feb (8) Madonna begins filming Dangerous Game, co-starring Harvey Kietel and James Russo, directed by Abel Ferrerra. (11) "Bad Girl" video premieres on MTV. (17) A League Of Their Own is released on home video. (25) "Bad Girl" single is released. Mar (4) Madonna wins Worst Video ("Erotica"), Worst Album Cover (Erotica) and Sexiest Female Artist in Rolling Stone magazine's 17th annual Readers Poll. (22) "Fever" (a remake of 1958 Peggy Lee song) is released as a UK single. (27) "Bad Girl" hits US #36. Apr (3) "Fever" hits UK #6. (In US, "Fever" is unreleased as a single and only appears on B-side of "Bad Girl" CD maxi-single). (27) Madonna is honored for Best Songwriting for "This Used To Be My Playground" at the 8th annual ASCAP Film & Television Music Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, Beverly Hills, CA. May (11) "Fever" video premieres on MTV. (13) Madonna performs "Fever" and a rendition of "The Lady Is A Tramp" on the 1,000th episode of The Arsenio Hall Show at the Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood, CA. (The show will air on Fox-TV on May 14). Jun (16) Madonna signs a contract with ABC-TV to jointly develop and produce TV specials, movies and a 4-hour miniseries. (18) Body Of Evidence is released on home video. (21) "Rain" video premieres on MTV. Madonna attends the New York premiere of film Sleepless In Seattle. Jul (1) "Rain" single is released. (8) Madonna begins rehearsals for a new tour called "The Girlie Show". Aug Madonna interviews Rosie O'Donnell for an article titled "Coming Up Rosie!" in Mademoiselle magazine. Sep (2) Madonna performs "Bye Bye Baby" at the 10th annual MTV Video Music Awards at the Universal Amphitheatre, Los Angeles, CA; "Rain" wins Best Art Direction and Best Cinematography. (9) Dangerous Game premieres at the 50th annual Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy. (11) "Rain" hits US #14. (20) The Immaculate Collection is certified 4x platinum (4 million units). (25,26) "The Girlie Show" opens with 2 sold-out concerts at Wembley Stadium, London, England. (28,29, Oct 1) Madonna performs at Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy, Paris, France. Oct (2) Madonna's concert at the Festhalle in Frankfurt, Germany is cancelled due to technical difficulties. (4) Madonna performs at Hayarkon Park, Tel Aviv, Israel, despite protests staged earlier by jewish groups to cancel her show. (5) Madonna is profiled on A&E-TV's Biography. (7) Madonna performs at Inonu Stadium, Istanbul, Turkey. (11,12) Madonna opens the North American leg of "The Girlie Show" at the SkyDome, Toronto, ON, Canada. (13) Madonna attends the New York premiere of film Farewell, My Concubine, co-released by Maverick Pictures for US release. (14) Rolling Stone: The 100 Top Music Videos includes "Express Yourself" #10, "Like A Prayer" #20, "Borderline" #24, "Vogue" #28, "Justify My Love" #43 and "Oh Father" #66 - Madonna has more videos on the list than any other artist or group. (14,15,17) Madonna performs 3 sold-out concerts at Madison Square Garden, New York, NY. (19) Madonna performs at The Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA. (21) Madonna performs at The Palace Of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, MI. (23) Madonna performs at Olympic Stadium, Montreal, QC, Canada. (26) Madonna performs at Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico and causes a controversy when she pulls a Puerto Rican flag to her crotch in front of 26,000 fans; the Puerto Rican House of Representatives charges her with desecration of the flag and passes a resolution to condemn her. (30,31) Madonna performs at the River Plate Stadium, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Nov (3) Madonna performs at Morumbi Stadium, Sao Paulo, Brazil. (6) Madonna performs to a sold-out crowd of 120,000 at Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (10,12,13) Madonna performs 3 sold-out concerts at Hermanos Rodriguez Autodromo, Mexico City, Mexico (which grosses a record $8,928,000) despite attempts by religious groups to keep her out of the country. (17) Madonna arrives in Sydney, Australia and, as a gift, she is presented with a didgeridoo, a sacred Aboriginal instrument that only men are allowed to play or touch; the Australians are enraged to see her accept it as a gift. (19) Madonna performs at Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, Australia. Dangerous Game premieres in New York, NY. (20) Madonna - Live Down Under: The Girlie Show (taped Nov 19 at Sydney Cricket Ground) is broadcast on HBO-TV. In Australia, Madonna cancels a scheduled concert at Sydney Cricket Ground due to severe weather conditions. (24) Madonna performs at Brisbane Anz Stadium, Brisbane, Australia. (26,27,29) Madonna performs 3 sold-out concerts at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia. (27) Madonna is named Most Popular International Solo Female Artist at the 3rd annual Australian Music Awards. Dec (1) Madonna performs at Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, Australia. (3,4) Madonna performs 2 sold-out concerts at Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, Australia. (7,8,9) Madonna performs at the Fukuoka Dome, Fukuoka, Japan. (13,14,16,17,19) "The Girlie Show" ends with 5 sold-out concerts at the Tokyo Dome, Tokyo, Japan. » Continue: Madonna Career Diary 1994 - 1998