Madonna by the Numbers

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From madonna.com:

2 weeks to use up wand of YSL #5 mascara
2 million dollars worth of Swarovski crystals embellishes above disco ball
5,000 square feet size of Madonna's four stages (standard is 2,600 square feet)
1,000 hours rehearsal over 12 weeks
27 number of performers including Madonna, Band, and 22 Dancers
253 massages provided to dancers
0 foundation used on Madonna's skin
1 bottle of balancing cleansing oil (Shu Uemura Green Tea) every week
1 bottle of Yonka moisturizer used up every three weeks
106 crew members in Madonna touring party
40 foot turntable in center of main stage
16 miles per hour when turntable revolves
1 "discofied" crucifix rises nightly from stage floor with surprise visitor attached
4 feet away from the audience is distance between Madonna and fans on satellite stages
70 tons of equipment on top of main stage
24 semi trucks used to move equipment from city to city
2 private planes to transport
18 vans and cars to transport
5 buses to transport
280 yards of Ace bandages used for dancers and Madonna
543 (and counting) heat wraps for dancers
200 tons in weight of entire show (equivalent to a battle ship)
400,000 watts of power used for run of show nightly
8 broken bones of Madonna's displayed on video screens during "Like a Virgin" via x-rays and MRI's (she's all better now)
7 costume changes for Madonna
30 outfits were designed by Jean Paul Gaultier for Madonna and dancers
8 pairs of shoes and boots used by Madonna each night (mostly Yves St. Laurent)
1 piece of jewelry (only) worn by Madonna (diamond and amethyst necklace designed by Chopard)
600 outfits in total for the entire show
25 racks required to move wardrobe
1 crown of thorns -- 50 thorns -- from Cotters Church Supply in LA)
1 bottle of vodka backstage to use for perspiration stains
24 inch waist (Madonna)
4 people change Madonna's costumes during the show
1 pair of Capezio professional fishnet stockings used each night
10 pounds is weight of Michael Schmidt designed belt Madonna wears during a segment in show
4,000 Swarovski crystals imbedded in said belt
34 clips used to set Madonna's hair
2 Smoothie-brand hair elastics used during show (one blonde, one white)
4 large hairpins used to secure chignon in opening sequence
3 hairstyles revealed during the show (chignon, crown of thorns with baby Jesus curls and weeny/disco roll coiff)
2 products used for hair (Kerestase oleo relax and Evian water mister to prevent electricity)
2 changes of eyelashes (one mink, one mink with diamonds for disco section)

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Song Stories

“Everyday People”

Sly and the Family Stone | 1968

"Everyday People" managed to trailblaze in two different ways -- it was one of the first pop hits to deal with the subject of racial harmony, and it utilized Larry Graham's "slap" technique on the bass guitar, which would soon be copied by countless other bassists. Graham once said about his pulsating style, "I'd never done that before … that's where the freedom of creativity came in for the band, that we'd be allowed to do that." In 1978, the song's line "Different strokes for different folks" would be borrowed for the title of the hit television show Diff'rent Strokes.

More Song Stories entries »

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