CityLife

Madonna, queen of pop, still thrillingly alive

EXPECT A JACKO TRIBUTE: Madge

OF all the grotesque ‘couples’ available for us to consider in this most bizarre world of music, few would have presented dinner guests quite so strange as the Queen of Pop and her erstwhile titular hubbie

But it’s fair to say that Michael Jackson was indeed considered the King of Pop and that Madonna must therefore be considered to be his artistic other half.

That they rarely entered the public consciousness together now seems somewhat odd that Wacko Jacko is no more and the public displays of having known him so well are in full-flow.

Both cut their musical teeth when they were still very young, both shared a 50th birthday year, both inspired countless imitators, both were masters of their own reinvention, both led lives away from the stage which weren’t exactly like those of ordinary people.

Both were incredible dancers, both turned to others to provide them with children, both refused to grow up.

Absolutely horrified

It’s now suggested that Madonna had been due to be one of the surprise guests during Jackson’s 50-date “Killer” residency at London’s O2 Arena and that La Ciccone will be one of the biggest names on the bill should the much speculated tribute shows get off the ground.

So what sets them apart?

I’d guess it’s the fact that while Madonna’s private life has intrigued and troubled us at times, it’s never absolutely horrified us in the way that the revelations about Wacko Jacko often did.

Kabala and falling out with Guy Richie aren’t nearly as off-putting as baby-over-balcony dangling and the child molestation allegations levelled at Jackson.

Ill-fated tour

While his empire had crumbled further than any of us perhaps realised, putting him in a position where he had no choice but to agree to an ill-fated tour, Madonna seems stronger now than even she was when she first sang Like A Virgin back in 1984.

Jacko was broke-o, Forbes magazine reported that the Madonna made £73m last year.

While some musicians would have relished the end of the gruelling Sticky & Sweet tour dates in 2008 – putting her in front of 2,350,285 fans in 58 cities – Madonna added the extra dates, which brings her to Manchester in 2009.

And this is the third time she has performed in the city since her famous appearance at the Hacienda in 1984.

Adoption battle

As if she didn’t have enough to keep her busy, she’s also been making her debut as a movie producer, modelling for Louis Vuitton and fighting am adoption battle which only last month saw her carrying little Mercy James Ciccone from Malawi.

Expect her on stage singing songs from her Hard Candy album and others, wearing clothing a lady of her age usually wouldn’t and proving to Lady Gaga that it will be a very long time before she’s elevated to her place in the palace of pop.

The king might be dead, but there’s still an awful lot of life left in the queen

Madonna plays the M.E.N. Arena on Tuesday, July 7. £65, £85, £110 and £175. Call 0844 847 8000.