Madonna Case
CASE 1 MADONNA *
Desperately Seeking a Start
In July 1977, shortly before her nineteenth birthday, Madonna Louise Ciccone arrived in New York City with $35 in her pocket. She had left Ann Arbor where she was majoring in dance at the University of Michigan. The third of eight children, she was raised in the suburbs of Detroit; her mother had died when she was six years old. Her prospects in the world of show business looked poor. Apart from her training in dance, she had little musical background and no contacts.
Life in New York was a struggle. “I worked at Dunkin' Donuts, I worked at Burger King, I worked at Amy's. I had a lot of jobs that lasted one day. I always talked back to people and they'd fire me. I was a coat-check girl at the Russian Tea Room. I worked at a health club once a week.”1 She spent a few months training with the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater and had a succession of modeling engagements for photographers and artists. During 1979, Madonna began to explore New York's music and acting scenes. With boyfriend Dan Gilroy, his brother Ed and bassist Angie Smit, “Breakfast Club” was formed—Madonna sharing vocals and drums with Dan. For six months she was dancer and backup singer to French singing star Patrick Hernandez, accompanying him in Europe and North Africa. In August 1979, Madonna was offered the lead role in underground movie director Stephen Lewicki's lowbudget film A Certain Sacrifice. She was paid $100. After breaking up with Dan Gilroy, Madonna invited her former Michigan boyfriend, Steve Bray, to New York. They moved into the Music Building—a converted 12-storey building crammed with studios, rehearsal rooms and striving, impoverished young bands. Together they worked on writing songs and developing their sound while Madonna maintained a continuous stream of calls to managers, agents, record companies and club owners. Camille Barbone offered a management contract—but only for Madonna. However, Barbone was unable to deliver success fast
Desperately Seeking a Start
In July 1977, shortly before her nineteenth birthday, Madonna Louise Ciccone arrived in New York City with $35 in her pocket. She had left Ann Arbor where she was majoring in dance at the University of Michigan. The third of eight children, she was raised in the suburbs of Detroit; her mother had died when she was six years old. Her prospects in the world of show business looked poor. Apart from her training in dance, she had little musical background and no contacts.
Life in New York was a struggle. “I worked at Dunkin' Donuts, I worked at Burger King, I worked at Amy's. I had a lot of jobs that lasted one day. I always talked back to people and they'd fire me. I was a coat-check girl at the Russian Tea Room. I worked at a health club once a week.”1 She spent a few months training with the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater and had a succession of modeling engagements for photographers and artists. During 1979, Madonna began to explore New York's music and acting scenes. With boyfriend Dan Gilroy, his brother Ed and bassist Angie Smit, “Breakfast Club” was formed—Madonna sharing vocals and drums with Dan. For six months she was dancer and backup singer to French singing star Patrick Hernandez, accompanying him in Europe and North Africa. In August 1979, Madonna was offered the lead role in underground movie director Stephen Lewicki's lowbudget film A Certain Sacrifice. She was paid $100. After breaking up with Dan Gilroy, Madonna invited her former Michigan boyfriend, Steve Bray, to New York. They moved into the Music Building—a converted 12-storey building crammed with studios, rehearsal rooms and striving, impoverished young bands. Together they worked on writing songs and developing their sound while Madonna maintained a continuous stream of calls to managers, agents, record companies and club owners. Camille Barbone offered a management contract—but only for Madonna. However, Barbone was unable to deliver success fast