Madonna (Madonna Louise Ciccone Ritchie) was born on August 16, 1958 in Bay City, Michigan, is an American dance-pop singer-songwriter, record and film producer, dancer, actress, author and fashion icon.

She is noted for her ambitious music videos and stage performances as well as using political, sexual, and religious themes in her work.

Madonna is the highest earning female singer of all time according to both the 2007 Guinness Book of Records, and Billboard Magazine.

She was the third of eight children born to Silvio "Tony" Ciccone, an Italian-American Chrysler engineer whose parents originated from Pacentro, and Madonna Louise Fortin, who was of Québécois descent.

Her debut album, Madonna, a collection of dance songs, was primarily produced by Reggie Lucas, but in the process both realized they could not work well together. After initial production on the album was completed, Madonna took the record to her then boyfriend, John "Jellybean" Benitez, who remixed and rearranged it. It reached number eight on the U.S. albums chart and contained three successful Hot 100 singles, "Holiday", "Borderline", and "Lucky Star".

At the time of its release, Madonna sold three million copies worldwide, one million of those in the U.S. It has since been certified with current sales of 8 million worldwide.

In 1985, Madonna entered mainstream films, beginning with a brief appearance as a club singer in the film Vision Quest. The soundtrack to the film contained her second number one pop hit, the Grammy-nominated ballad "Crazy for You", as well as the UK hit "Gambler".

Later that year she appeared in the commercially and critically successful film Desperately Seeking Susan, with her comedic performance winning her positive reviews. The film introduced the dance song "Into the Groove", which was released as a B-side to her single "Angel", peaking at number five in the U.S. and becoming a major hit internationally, and her first number one in the UK.

Madonna embarked on her first concert tour in the U.S. in 1985 titled The Virgin Tour, with opening act The Beastie Boys.
On 16 May, 2007, a song was released by Madonna called "Hey You", released in anticipation for Live Earth. Madonna is currently directing her first film, Filth and Wisdom and has started production on her next album, which is expected to be released by November 2007.

Madonna performed 'Hey You' amongst other songs at the UK leg of Live Earth at Wembley Stadium, London on July 7, 2007.

www.madonna.com