Rockin’ shots: The stories behind music’s most iconic photos: No. 4
In 1985, an unlikely pairing of musicians embarked on a tour together that must have been an epic experience for concert-goers around the US. Those artists were rising pop superstar Madonna and hip-hop group Beastie Boys. They shared the stage for two months during what is now known as The Virgin Tour.
The Virgin Tour
The Virgin Tour was Madonna’s debut tour. It was earned by the Material Girl from the success of her third album, Like a Virgin. She decided she wanted an opening act for the tour that would give a nod to her Manhattan neighborhood. She had her people contact Russell Simmons of Def Jam Records. The band she was originally after was not the Beastie Boys but another hip-hop group called The Fat Boys. Unfortunately, Simmons did not represent The Fat Boys and suggested Run DMC. They were declined for being too expensive. He then suggested the Beastie Boys. Madonna was familiar with them from her days performing at the nightclub Danceteria.
Reception and performance
At the time, the Beastie Boys had yet to release their hit debut album Licensed to Ill and only had a handful of original material to perform. Their short set list consisted of six songs. This included four originals such as Beastie Groove and Slow and Low and two covers. The audience’s reception of the often crude band went just as you probably imagine. It did not go well. The thousands of teenage girls and their parents who thronged to see Madonna perform were not impressed with the trio. Madonna later said the audience always booed them and they always told everyone to fuck off. She loved them for that. She could not understand why everyone hated them.
A terrible idea
Even the Boys themselves have admitted the tour was not their best. Adam “Ad-Rock” Horovitz once remarked that he did not know why she thought it would be a good idea to open for her tour. He called it a terrible idea. He noted it was great for her because they were so awful that by the time she came onstage, the audience had to be happy. Madonna got a kick out of her opening act and fought to keep them on the roster when others were in favor of cutting them.
First thoughts were damn they all looks so young. Then I remember that it was 30 years ago. Mind blooown
I had no idea they were hated so much but then I had no idea Madonna’s first fans were little girls and their moms
Me neither. Would love to have seen the look on the audience’s faces when they came stomping out.
An example of why I have always like Madonna. She dared to be different.
Awesome article! Had no idea Beastie Boys got their start with Madonna or that they were universally hated. Who’d of believed it!