On this day in music history: December 22, 1984 - Like A Virgin by Madonna hits #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 6 weeks, topping the Club Play chart for 2 weeks on December 15, 1984, also peaking at #9 on the R&B singles chart on January 19, 1985. Written by Tom Kelly and Billy Steinberg, it is the first chart topping single for the pop music icon from Rochester, MI. While her self-titled debut album continues to build momentum in the in the late Winter and early Spring of 1984, Madonna will begin making plans to record her second studio album. A huge fan of the legendary R&B/Disco band Chic, the singer will set her sights on hiring the bands co-founder and guitarist Nile Rodgers. Not believing that her record label will give her the budget to work with someone as high profile as Rodgers, the label will readily agree to her request. The singer will take a meeting with Warner Bros A&R exec Michael Ostin to discuss what songs shell record for the project. Ostin will play her the demo for Like A Virgin, having heard it only the day before. The demo featuring songwriter Tom Kelly performing the vocals will click immediately with Madonna, and shell agree to do it. However, when Madonna plays the demo for Nile Rodgers will initially disagree over its hit potential, but will eventually change his mind when he cant get the songs hook out of his head. Recorded in April of 1984 at The Power Station in New York City, the track will feature Rodgers on guitar as well as his former Chic bandmates Bernard Edwards on bass, Tony Thompson on drums and Rob Sabino on synthesizers. Madonna will publicly debut Like A Virgin at the first MTV Video Music Awards on September 14, 1984. Appearing on stage atop of a giant wedding cake and wearing a wedding dress, the singer will deliver an instantly memorable and iconic performance, that will end with her dry humping the stage and rolling around. It will cause an immediate sensation and major demand for the record, but is held back while Lucky Star (#4 Pop, #1 Club Play), the fifth and final single from her debut album peaks on the charts in October. Finally released on November 6, 1984, just six days ahead of the album, Virgin will quickly become a smash. Entering the Hot 100 at #48 on November 17, 1984, it will leap to the top of the chart five weeks later. The song is accompanied by a memorable music video directed by Mary Lambert, shot on location in New York City and Venice, Italy, with the Italian sequences featuring the indelible image of the singer dancing on a gondola. The huge success of Like A Virgin will take Madonna to next level of celebrity in her career, turning her into a global superstar and helping to cement her reputation as a pop music icon. Like A Virgin is certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.
Posted on: Tue, 23 Dec 2014 01:00:17 +0000
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