Forty years on from her 1984 hit Like A Virgin, Madonna Ciccone, one of our greatest living pop stars, continues to fascinate and inspire. With each pioneering album she has consistently reinvented her music and image, transcending the world of pop to become a global cultural icon.

Join us in an exploration of Madonna’s history, from her difficult childhood and those frenetic early years in New York, through the shocks and scandals of the 1990s Sex era to her 21st century incarnation as an outspoken activist, encompassing her humanitarian work and the controversial Malawian adoption saga. Lucy will talk about her interviews with people close to Madonna, looking behind the myth at what motivates Madonna as a woman and an artist. And we’ll listen to her most memorable songs along the way.

Doors open at 7pm, talk starts at 7.30pm – come down early to grab a good seat!

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About the Speaker

Dr Lucy O’Brien is a writer, academic and broadcaster. Her in-depth biography Madonna: Like An Icon includes 80 interviews with friends, former lovers, musicians, dancers and producers, and was translated into 13 languages. She also wrote Lead Sister: the story of Karen Carpenter (2023 Times Book of The Year), Dusty: The Classic Biography, and She Bop: The Definitive History of Women in Popular Music (now in a special 25th anniversary edition). She has co-authored The Liverbirds: Our Life in Britain’s First Female Rock n’ Roll Band, and It Takes Blood And Guts with rock singer Skin. She teaches in Music Industry Management at London College of Music, UWL, and once played in all-girl punk band The Catholic Girls.

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⭐ Truly riveting talks, always enjoy these – a great way to spend an evening with some pals. Already looking forward to the next one. – Alexander P

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