The young Madonna excelled at dance and drama in high school and brief stints in college in Indiana and Michigan. In 1977 she took a chance and moved to New York to study with choreographer Alvin Ailey. She also worked as a model to make ends meat. Two years later, she moved to France and worked on a tour with disco singer Patrick Hernandez. During the busy schedule as a dancer in the background, Madonna met Dan Gilroy. The two returned to New York and formed a band. Although they would not sell many tickets they would produce several tracks that were popular in clubs.

Madonna, who had already reinvented herself once by becoming a singer and drummer after starting out as a dancer, changed directions again the ‘80s. She remained a singer, but moved from disco to mainstream pop. Even though she recorded a couple of hits with “Holiday” and “Everybody”, they found most of their success in the dying disco craze. In order to stay alive and sell tickets and further her career she would need to change her tune.

That tune was “Like A Virgin”. The song was a number one hit as a single in 1984 and started her busy schedule in which she would end up releasing 11 number one hit singles. The subsequent tour sold so many tickets that it was official that Madonna was a star. Somewhere in her busy schedule on tour she managed to marry Sean Penn and play at Live Aid.

Madonna continued to roll through the ‘80s with hit singles, scandalous behavior, and a new urge to start an acting career. Fans could just as easily see her on tour as buy tickets to see her o Broadway or in B movies. Madonna’s career seemed to reach a pinnacle in 1990, as she starred in her first blockbuster, Dick Tracy, and toured the world in the Blond Ambition tour. Her concerts were selling out, her movies were doing great at the box office, and her control over her career strengthened as she created her own production company, Maverick.

Known for her need to shock with provocative lyrics, dress, and dance, Madonna changed direction swiftly in 1996. That year she played the lead role in Evita. Her strong performance sold tickets at the theaters, and her ballad-heavy album sold countless records. Madonna was in complete control of her life and career and felt free to try everything and anything.

The freedom to try anything also meant she opened herself up to failure. The early 21st century found critics and fans rejecting albums and movie choices. Her sale tickets everywhere was down, but she was not out. She returned older and wiser and ready to reclaim her sensual crown again.