Orginally published on ABLE2 in September 2003
It finally happened last Thursday. The ABLE2 Book was given to MADONNA at the BBC TV studio and the most famous living lady agreed to write a sentence. Although this wasn't our first attempt at meeting her...
The ABLE2 Book was launched in December 2001 in London. BONO agreed to meet us after a conference about Human Rights and wrote on the first page of a small book. The U2 frontman was asked to complete the sentence 'If I was ABLE2 do anything...'. Since then nearly 100 famous people have added their own contribution, all in their own handwriting after being met by ABLE2UK. Celebrities include, HUGH GRANT, ROBERT DE NIRO, SAMMUAL L JACKSON and OASIS. Since the book was started there was one person we were determined to ask, MADONNA, we had no idea how difficult this was going to be.
We started by e-mailing Madonna's UK PA Barabra Charone, although this was absolutely useless. The reply was always the same, Babs wanted us to send the book in the post so she could pass it on to Madonna - not a chance! Last year Madonna performed in the West End and we contacted the thearte manager, Mr Ingray to ask him to speak to the diva face to face on our behalf. She refused three times in a row.
Last Christmas Madonna attended the World Premiere of the latest Bond film. We tried to work our way into the event and even asked Bond actress, DAME JUDI DENCH after her matinee West End performance if she could help. Even though Dench wrote in the book, she couldn't help and we were left ticketless for the Premiere.
It was in November when we thought we had cracked it. GUY RICHTIE was speaking at Oxford University and no press were allowed - except us! To make things even better ABLE2UK was invited to meet Guy personally after his speech in the Principle's office. After writing in the book we asked Richtie to pass a letter onto his wife, requesting her contribution. Unfortunately Guy passed the note to Barbara Charone and we were back to square one!
Then, last week news came that Jonathan Ross was going to interview Madonna at the BBC Centre, luckily we have some 'contacts' at the Beeb and managed access into the building. Next we found our way to Ross's studio and waited for Madonna's appearance. She was walked in with an army of ten people and we decided to leave her in peace..well until her interview had finished!
Eighty minutes later Madonna left the studio and was escorted by her PA, bodyguards and assistants to her dressing room - we followed and remarkable was not turned away. Madonna went straight to her room and after talking to her assistant the book was taken into her. Ten minutes later Madonna emerged for a sharp exit, although she told ABLE2UK that 'She had signed the book'.
So, at last, we can proudly confirm that the Queen of Pop is now among those in the ABLE2 book and fingers crossed the publication will hit the bookstands in the near future so you can read what she wrote. Madonna's next UK outing is this Friday when she plays HMV in Oxford Street,
The gig was almost impossible to get tickets for. Although the next week ABLE2UK managed to bring an exclusive report back from the in-store gig...
Last Friday there was only one place to be, although it was virtually
impossible to be there. The place was HMV in Oxford Circus, the occasion
was that the Queen of Pop, MADONNA was going to perform one of her smallest
gig ever. Most of the UK press were kept away, but we managed to grab
a wristband and enjoy one of the momentous days in music history.
It's Saturday 3rd May and MADONNA has just finished performing 'live' (it was recorded!) on CD:UK, two days earlier she was being interviewed by Jonathan Ross and also wrote in the ABLE2 Book - by far her biggest achievement of her life of course. This publicity is nothing compared to bands such as BUSTED and BLUE who bombard your TV screens at any given opportunity, although for her Madge, appearing on TV twice in a week is pretty amazing. Surely this would mark the end of her publicity for the UK release of her current album, American Life?
That wasn't the case however, the Sun revealed that MADONNA was to play in front of 500 people at the HMV store in Oxford Circus on Friday. First thing Monday morning MBC, (Madge's press office) strongly denied this story and HMV head office weren't giving anything away when we called them. It wasn't until Wednesday when we heard then BBC Radio One was going to make an 'exclusive MADONNA announcement after 6pm. Wonder what that was going to be?
6.10pm Dave Pearce tells his listeners to be at HMV at 8pm if they want a wristband for a MADONNA instore gig. Apparently about 750 fans turned up in the hope to walk away with a band. Two days later after a 'few' calls ABLE2UK was one of the very few press companies to blag a wristband. (We're pretty good like that!)
Friday 4pm. There was a huge inevitable queue at the side of HMV, the store was closed at 2pm and the fans started lining up for this unique event. Madonna was late and when the diva eventually arrive her ten minute soundcheck extended to three quarters of an hour. One of her entrouge was too scared to go into the store during this time and we heard her say that 'If she did, MADONNA would have one of her funny fits!'. We were taken in the side entrance of the store at 6pm and at last we saw the stage. We were positioned in a cornered off area to the right whilst the crowd of competition winners were at the front, nearly filling the whole store itself.
Radio One's Jo Whiley came on stage once everybody was safely being 'squashed' inside and after a brief introduction MADONNA walked out from a corridor from the left side, we actually caught a glimpse of her filming a personal movie of the day on her camcorder walking towards the stage Dressed in a small black outfit and wearing a beret she started her set with AMERICAN LIFE, the song was due to be broadcast on Radio One the following, but seeing as the fans shouted 'fuck it' five times during every chorus this was never aired. She also played the classic 'Like A Prayer' and asked the audience to be a temporary choir, another highlight was a song about her mothers death. In between the 40 minute gig MADONNA told her fans that instead of queuing up for wristbands they should do something positive in life to benefit themselves, which may have pissed off the Yank in the crowd who flew over to the UK as soon as she heard the rumor about the possible gig.
The afternoon was unforgettable and whatever your opinion is of Madonna you have to give her the credit what she deserves.
