The more I watch Lady Gaga's career, the more impressed I am with the way Madonna has managed to avoid just about every pitfall a superstar career can suffer from.
Maybe he choice in men hasn't been everything it might and maybe her last couple of albums haven't been all that, but, really it is astounding: no drugs, no rehab, no career bottoming out, every tour a sell out. Sure, she isn't young any more. How is that her fault?
Even more impressive, Madonna has been signed to Warner Brothers since 1982. How many people you know have had the same job for 30 odd years? Again, it is a testament to her professionalism and seriousness. No, Madonna is not perfect but who is better?
But everything dies, and with the release of Celebration in 2009, her contract with Warner Brothers came to an end and Universal Music, who have been doing an awful good job of sticking it to WB this year (UMUS bought half of EMI from under WBs nose) , have signed her to a three year $3 Million contract.
Incidentally, compared to her peanuts this isn't much. I think both sides must have felt a little wary of a long time deal, or Madonna has so much clout she insisted on a short term deal. Incidentally, if it took four years between her last album of new material Hard Candy, and her next album, she will be 65 years old when the deal expires.
Madonna has signed a three-album deal with Interscope Records. Live Nation will still handle her touring. And, the great William Orbit will be co-producing her next album. Plus, Super-Bowl in February and… that kid of hers is growing up fast…