LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Madonna: Madonna Louise Ciccone
built 144 days ago
Madonna Louise Ciccone Ritchie (born August 16, 1958), known simply by her first name, is an American pop singer-songwriter, record and film producer, dancer, actress, author and fashion icon. Guinness World Records listed Madonna as the most successful female recording artist of all time. Madonna is often referred to, by the media, as the 'Queen of pop'. [1] Madonna's record company credited her as having sold over 232 million albums and 150 million singles worldwide. [2]
Source:
Madonna Louise Ciccone Ritchie (born August 16, 1958) is an American pop singer-songwriter, musician,[1] dancer, record producer, film producer, actress, film director and author. She is known for the use of sexual, social and religious themes in her work and has been nicknamed the "Material Girl" and "Queen Of Pop" by the media.[2][3]
Source:
The young Madonna Louise Ciccone 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 modeling 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 before setting up Emmy in 1980 with Detroit-born drummer and former boyfriend, Steve Bray. Together, Madonna and Bray created club tracks which led to a recording deal with
Source:
In 1977, Madonna Louise Ciccone's -- interesting trivia: her last name, Ciccone, is very close to the insulting Italian word for 'fat man' (ciccione) -- career began in New York City with noted choreographer Alvin Ailey. After two years of dancing and modeling jobs, she moved to France briefly only to return forming the band Breakfast Club (serving double duty as drummer and vocalist). By 1980, Madonna and former boyfriend Steve Bray were mixing club tracks, setting up house with new band Emmy and attracting attention from recording giant Sire Records. NYC DJ Mark Kamins lent his talents in producing the single "Everybody", a US club hit in 1982. The following year saw the launch into US/Europe pop mainstream with the help of writer/producer Jellybean and "Holiday".
Source:
Madonna (Louise Ciccone) was born on August 16, 1958, in Michigan. Madonna grew up in a suburb of Detroit with her father, step-mother and 7 siblings - Madonna's mother died of cancer when Madonna was 5. In the mid-80s, Madonna burst onto the worldwide music scene and remains one of the biggest music personalities in the world. Although often criticized for less than supreme vocals, Madonna continues to amaze and entertain fans with her dancing, imaginative videos, and captivating antics. The world has watched Madonna's "metamorphism" over the years: pop queen, struggling actress, MTV maven, record company developer, successful actress, and mother. Whatever role Madonna has played, it can not be disputed that she has always put 110% into her craft.
Source:
Madonna Louise Ciccone has been selected, in her first year of eligibility, as one of the five artists to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Material Girl will comprise the Hall of Fame Class of '08 along with populist rocker John Mellencamp, Canadian singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen, surf instrumental combo the Ventures and British Invasion group the Dave Clark Five.
Source:
MORE ABOUT
Madonna Louise Ciccone