Madonna (born August 16, 1958) is an American singer, songwriter, dancer, actress, and businesswoman. She achieved popularity by pushing the boundaries of lyrical content in mainstream popular music and imagery in her music videos, which became a fixture on MTV. She is known for reinventing both her music and image, and for maintaining her autonomy within the recording industry. Music critics have acclaimed her musical productions, which have generated some controversy. Referred to as the "Queen of Pop", Madonna is often cited as an influence by other artists.
Born in Bay City, Michigan, Madonna moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she signed with Sire Records (an auxiliary label of Warner Bros. Records) in 1982 and released her self-titled debut album the following year. She followed it with a series of commercially and critically successful albums, including the Grammy Award winners Ray of Light (1998) and Confessions on a Dance Floor (2005). Throughout her career, Madonna has written and produced most of her songs, with many of them reaching number one on the record charts.
Various music journalists, critical theorists, and authors have deemed Madonna the most influential female recording artist of all time. Author Carol Clerk wrote that "during her career, Madonna has transcended the term 'pop star' to become a global cultural icon." Rolling Stone of Spain wrote that "She became the first viral Master of Pop in history, years before the Internet was massively used. Madonna was everywhere; in the almighty music television channels, 'radio formulas', magazine covers and even in bookshops.
Backstage at the video shoot for the hit single 'You'll See' shot in Spain, October 1995
Madonna onstage at Wembley Stadium, London on the first night of her Blonde Ambition Tour in July 1990
Early photograph of Madonna taken in New York, 1980 by legendary music photographer Mick Rock at his studio on Lexington Avenue
An early shot of Madonna taken in October 1982 in Soho, New York City.
Madonna on an early photo shoot in Grenwich Village, New York in October 1982.
Madonna in October 1982 photographed outside St Anthony's Church in New York.
Madonna posing on Greenwich Street, New York on an early photo shoot in October 1982
Madonna in October 1982 photographed on Houston Street, New York
October 1982 Madonna is captured on Houston Street, New York on one of her earliest photo shoots.
Contact sheet of the Red Hot Chilli Peppers photographed at Hyde Park, London in 1991
Limited edition screen print of a mugshot of Prince created by artist David Studwell
Noel recalls "Maine Road was where we all used to go as kids. So I was standing there, trying to make sure I never forgot this moment"
Exclusive David Bowie print specially created by The Postman for Rockarchive, based on a photograph taken by Dave Hogan at Live Aid in 1985
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Here are the very latest prints we have added to our collection. We hope you love them as much as we do.
During his 30 year career Jake Chessum has shot defining images of musicians such as Amy Winehouse, Jay Z, The Beastie Boys & David Bowie.
Jill Furmanovsky is one of the greatest ever rock & roll photographers with a huge archive of iconic shots of the world's best music artists
Our contact sheet print collection is a rare opportunity to look back at the hidden moments surrounding some of rocks most iconic images.