Madonna is an Icon – Part One
Yesterday we asked our reader why Madonna is an icon to them. Five entries will be picked by our team and will receive a copy of Cherish: Madonna Like An Icon, the book by David Foy, courtesy of Ivy Publishing. The book has just been released in the US on April 30th.
Your response has been overwhelming to say the least and many of you already sent in their text explaining why Madonna is an icon.
We have decided to post these entries and share them with our readers, so here’s the first bunch of them:
• Vicki from LondonFor me, it all started in 1984 on a small council estate on the outskirts of Liverpool, UK. I was five years old. A relatively unknown singer/dancer released her second studio album – ‘Like a Virgin’ and my best friend received a copy for her birthday.
I remember hearing the album literally “for the very first time” and I was instantly hooked. The music and sound were infectious and like nothing my young ears had ever heard before. My friend and I would spend hours and hours making up dance routines to the music of this exciting and unique individual, known only to us as, Madonna.
We didn’t know anything else about her. She was a mystery but even at such a young age, I knew she was special. It was around the same time that I saw the movie, Desperately Seeking Susan – in which Madonna played a cool, confident, free-spirited New York City drifter named Susan. Madonna became an influence to me through her unique fashion sense – I literally craved ‘that’ jacket and boots, as seen in the film and would dress up in my mum’s clothes, trying to emulate Madonna’s unique style. Madonna became my idol, an iconic figure that I looked up to throughout my childhood and adolescence. Over the years she has written and produced some of the most amazing and iconic pop music, expressed and defined stunningly through her iconic and often controversial music videos and live performances.
Madonna has always had the uncanny ability to find something current or an emerging trend, add her own unique spin to it and make it 100% her own. That is why I love her. She is a genius. A true artist in every sense of the word.
For me Madonna truly comes to life on stage, as a live performer. Her shows are a feast for the senses, an addictive experience where if you see her once, you simply have to go “again and again, over and over.” In my opinion, her shows are unrivalled by any other performer. Biased much? Well perhaps just a little!! 😉
Madonna is and always will be the Queen of Pop. No other female in the history of Pop Music has ever come close to achieving what she has achieved. She is a singer, dancer, producer, writer, performer and entrepreneur, plus, more recently film director. Oh, and an altogether inspirational, amazing, kind hearted and influential human being too. I have followed Madonna’s career since I was five years old – she has truly been the soundtrack to my life. <3 MLVC <3 • Randal
Madonna is an icon because she’s never afraid to speak her mind and isn’t afraid to speak out whenever and wherever she sees injustice in the world, she is the Patron Saint of Gay Men, the High Priestess of Self Actualization, and the Queen of Pop after 30 years on top of the music business and is completely in a league of her own unmatched in her accomplishments in music! Long live the Queen!
• David LeeDear MadonnaTribe,
Madonna is an Icon to me because she represents all the excellence as an artist, singer, dancer, performer, producer/collaborator, writer, director and as a fashion/style & video icon. Also she’s an Icon because she stands for all the things that we greatly need in this world which is freedom of artistic expression, championing women & LGBT rights & dignity, compassion & generosity for all the charitable work she’s done for HIV/AIDS & Raising Malawi. She’s an Icon to me for dedication, commitment, discipline, drive, and focus to bring out the best of her abilities, potential and talents to her fans/audience with the ability to mix the right amount of the old world with the new/cutting edge and because she trusts her artistic instincts. She’s An Icon to me mostly because of her honesty/integrity, strength of character and perseverance to make to this far in her journey to go from a dancer to travelled to NYC with only $35 and a dream to where she is now with all her accomplishments from multi-platinum albums, #1 singles, sold-out concerts, Grammy & American Music Awards & other music awards and acollads, etc.
Madonna is an excellent Icon for all things great, successfull, awesome and amazing.
• KeithWhy is Madonna an icon to me?
It all started when I was in 6th grade. I remember getting the LIKE A VIRGIN tape as part of my Valentines gift. I don’t recall if I specifically asked for it, or if my mom just knew it was popular at the time. Yes, it was an odd choice for a 6th grader but truly I had yet to learn what a virgin was, I only found out years later. I digress. That is when my attraction to Madonna began. Her songs were fun, poppy and catchy…and they put me in good spirits. Over the years I became a big fan and was always so surprised and appreciative of Madonna’s acceptance and support for the gay community. She was unashamed of her support. she was vocal. She was making it acceptable for others to come out, live their life freely, and she was becoming my ICON. I have always known I was gay, and as someone that comes from a small town, a conservative one at that, it was so exciting and promising to see such a huge star being both fabulous, entertaining, gaining international popularity, and also using her talents to spread messageS: It’s ok to be gay, get tested for AIDS and practice safe sex, Stand up for yourself, Be proud, and many, many more. Because of all this, she is an ICON to me and many others. Her career has entertained us for years, and her messages have uplifted, educated, informed and help make this world a more tolerant, accepting place. It is a fact that this ICON has helped many gay men and women, take a stand for themselves and life their life openly and freely. She is an ICON like no other.
• CandelarioWhy Madonna is an icon to me is such a layered, complicated yet simple question. The quick simple answer would be because she’s this amazing, creative, driven, talented artist. The complicated answer would be because deep down I can relate to her. I was raised a catholic, not fitting in, socially awkward gay boy. In a way, she’s the solution to those problems. She’s an icon because she wasn’t a typical teenager. She used her flaws to draw people in. Growing up she didn’t fit in but grew into somebody everybody wanted to be. She didn’t change herself for society. She changed society to fit her. I can go on and on but that’s my answer. She’s amazing and atypical but made society see her as the archetype for all pop artists to be compared to.
Stay tuned to know more reasons why Madonna is an icon to fellow fans!