Terror Threat: We'll Kill Madonna

[Nixxxed]

From UK's The Sun: (my comments and question below)

http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2004240450,00.html

Terror Threat: We'll Kill Madonna

By GORDON SMART and MARTEL MAXWELL

MADONNA has axed three gigs in Israel — after terrorists threatened to kill her and her kids.

The singer was terrified by a blitz of poison-pen letters.

Madge “freaked out” when she learned of a terrorist plot to kill her two young children if she performed in Israel.

She first planned to defy the extremists but cancelled after the unnamed Palestinian group mentioned details about Lourdes, seven, and three-year-old Rocco in a series of threatening letters.

A source said: “The notes were unbelievably scary. Madonna is a strong woman but she freaked out when her kids were mentioned.

“At first she was prepared to go on stage anyway and hire extra security. But she was not ready to take chances with her kids — they are her whole world.”

The threats were sent to the singer’s offices in Los Angeles. They became more frightening as they displayed in-depth knowledge of the star’s closest aides.

The source added: “It became clear that these people were not messing around — they even knew intimate details like who her personal staff are.

“She thought she was being targeted because of her Jewish Kabbalah religion. But this group were threatening her because she represents many things they hate about the West.”

Madonna, married to Brit film director GUY RITCHIE, has not performed in Israel since her 1993 Girlie Show.

She had booked three dates in September at the Tel Aviv stadium — including a televised concert on September 11 to mark the third anniversary of al-Qaeda’s attacks on America.

Madonna’s people last night insisted the Israel leg of her Re-Invention tour has been cancelled because the singer wants to concentrate on Europe. But insiders say nothing except this security alert would have stopped her travelling to Tel Aviv.

------end------


I highlighted the paragraph about the Sept. 11 televised concert for this reason: WTF???!!! Even if this concert were only to be televised in Israel: WTF???!!! Madonna is one of the LAST people I want to hear from on Sept. 11, and one of the LAST people I want putting on a Sept. 11 Tribute Show, especially in the Middle East. :shrug:

On a sidenote, I feel sorry for her kids.

[gldstwmn]

From UK's The Sun: (my comments and question below)

http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2004240450,00.html

Terror Threat: We'll Kill Madonna

I highlighted the paragraph about the Sept. 11 televised concert for this reason: WTF???!!! Even if this concert were only to be televised in Israel: WTF???!!! Madonna is one of the LAST people I want to hear from on Sept. 11, and one of the LAST people I want putting on a Sept. 11 Tribute Show, especially in the Middle East. :shrug:

On a sidenote, I feel sorry for her kids.

Doing a September 11 remembrance concert from Israel is wack, IMO. Most performers would not dream of performing on that date-unless it is some type of charity event. Further, I don't know a lot of people who are touring the middle east right now.
I feel bad for her kids too.

[dissention]

Doing a September 11 remembrance concert from Israel is wack, IMO. Most performers would not dream of performing on that date-unless it is some type of charity event. Further, I don't know a lot of people who are touring the middle east right now.
I feel bad for her kids too.

Let's not forget that this is coming from a British tabloid. For some reason, I highly doubt that Madonna would be THAT disrespectful and controversial. But, then again, she is doing a medley of songs while photos of dead American soldiers from Iraq flash on a big screen behind her, only to get "electrocuted" in the electric chair onstage later... :eek:

[jadegypsy]

Okay, first I will say briefly I am glad Madonna didn't put her kids in danger, second it has been reported on the entertainment news that this happened so it has a bit more substance.
Third I find it extremely rude that someone would be offended by Madonna doing a tribute concert, if one followed the 9/11 donations they would know that Madonna was one of the very first celebs to make a significant donation ($3mil from 3 concert nights, all proceeds, unplanned, unhyped). Ulike the celebs that did the telethon and asked for the publics $$$ Madonna donated her already made $$$, the only other person that came close was Julia Roberts with $2mil, on the whole celb response was a bit lacking, they asked for our money, I would've been more impressed if i knew that the telethon etc. people had put in $1mil of their own $$$. So if Madonna wants to do a tribute concert, great, if it's for cherity, awesome, she was more then generous when the time came and thats more then I can say for alot of musicians. By no means is Madonna a saint, but her 9/11 involvements is something that she really can't be criticized for.

[darklinensuit]

Okay, first I will say briefly I am glad Madonna didn't put her kids in danger, second it has been reported on the entertainment news that this happened so it has a bit more substance.
Third I find it extremely rude that someone would be offended by Madonna doing a tribute concert, if one followed the 9/11 donations they would know that Madonna was one of the very first celebs to make a significant donation ($3mil from 3 concert nights, all proceeds, unplanned, unhyped). Ulike the celebs that did the telethon and asked for the publics $$$ Madonna donated her already made $$$, the only other person that came close was Julia Roberts with $2mil, on the whole celb response was a bit lacking, they asked for our money, I would've been more impressed if i knew that the telethon etc. people had put in $1mil of their own $$$. So if Madonna wants to do a tribute concert, great, if it's for cherity, awesome, she was more then generous when the time came and thats more then I can say for alot of musicians. By no means is Madonna a saint, but her 9/11 involvements is something that she really can't be criticized for.

Well said.

- Jake

[gldstwmn]

Let's not forget that this is coming from a British tabloid. For some reason, I highly doubt that Madonna would be THAT disrespectful and controversial. But, then again, she is doing a medley of songs while photos of dead American soldiers from Iraq flash on a big screen behind her, only to get "electrocuted" in the electric chair onstage later... :eek:

Liz Rosenberg is denying the whole thing. :shrug:

[gldstwmn]

Third I find it extremely rude that someone would be offended by Madonna doing a tribute concert, if one followed the 9/11 donations they would know that Madonna was one of the very first celebs to make a significant donation ($3mil from 3 concert nights, all proceeds, unplanned, unhyped).

It's great that she donated money from her shows to the families of 9/11. However, I think it's careless to say the very least, to plan a show in the middle east on 9/11. The timing is very bad.

[dissention]

Okay, first I will say briefly I am glad Madonna didn't put her kids in danger, second it has been reported on the entertainment news that this happened so it has a bit more substance.
Third I find it extremely rude that someone would be offended by Madonna doing a tribute concert, if one followed the 9/11 donations they would know that Madonna was one of the very first celebs to make a significant donation ($3mil from 3 concert nights, all proceeds, unplanned, unhyped). Ulike the celebs that did the telethon and asked for the publics $$$ Madonna donated her already made $$$, the only other person that came close was Julia Roberts with $2mil, on the whole celb response was a bit lacking, they asked for our money, I would've been more impressed if i knew that the telethon etc. people had put in $1mil of their own $$$. So if Madonna wants to do a tribute concert, great, if it's for cherity, awesome, she was more then generous when the time came and thats more then I can say for alot of musicians. By no means is Madonna a saint, but her 9/11 involvements is something that she really can't be criticized for.

No one is criticizing her for her 9/11 contributions. It's just a bit inappropriate to schedule a tribute concert on that date in the middle east. It's simply poor judgement on her part.

And I do agree with you about that joke of a telethon. But Rosie also donated $2 mil, as did Whoopi, George Clooney, and Kurt and Goldie. :wavey: But the way that the higher-ups stole the money and never gave it to the 9/11 charity sickened me. Kurt and Goldie even went on O'Reilly to bitch and ask where the hell the money went.

[tommer]

one way or another, still, no madonna for me this summer. :distress: :distress: :distress:

[darklinensuit]

one way or another, still, no madonna for me this summer. :distress: :distress: :distress:

Sorry. I remember you were looking forward to seeing her.

- Jake

[gldstwmn]

one way or another, still, no madonna for me this summer. :distress: :distress: :distress:

Sorry tommer. :o

[tommer]

Sorry. I remember you were looking forward to seeing her.

- Jake

Sorry tommer. :o

that's okay, i'm definitely over it by now.

[gldstwmn]

that's okay, i'm definitely over it by now.

So, can I ask you, who is touring Israel this year?

[dissention]

that's okay, i'm definitely over it by now.

Look on the bright side, one of the shows is being filmed for TV. ;)

[77Rumours77]

Let's not forget that this is coming from a British tabloid. For some reason, I highly doubt that Madonna would be THAT disrespectful and controversial. But, then again, she is doing a medley of songs while photos of dead American soldiers from Iraq flash on a big screen behind her, only to get "electrocuted" in the electric chair onstage later... :eek:

Well the reviews from last nights show said that there were no images of dead american soldires and she did not die in an electric chair (she was only strapped to it). Heres the setlist for anybody who cares, Looks like it could be an awesome show! I saw some clips on CNN and I really would like to go, bit not at $300 a ticket!

The Beast Within
Vogue
Nobody Knows Me
Frozen
American Life
Express Yourself
Burning Up
Material Girl
Hollywood
Hanky Panky
Deeper and Deeper
Die Another Day
Lament
Bedtime Story
Nothing Fails
Don't Tell Me
Like A Prayer
Mother and Father
Imagine
Into the Groove
Papa Don't Preach
Crazy For You
Music
Holiday

[Johnny Stew]

Well the reviews from last nights show said that there were no images of dead american soldires and she did not die in an electric chair (she was only strapped to it).


That doesn't surprise me. For as outrageous as Madonna can be, the rumours that follow her are usually even more outrageous.

It looks like a terrific setlist... thanks for posting it, Jacob.
My friend Peter will be seeing one of the shows, and he's really excited about it. I'm hoping that a full concert will be released on DVD, given that CBS will be airing one of the performances live.

[Merf]

Damn..... if only I had 300 bucks to burn and she was coming close to Charlotte.... cause that setlist rocks!

[gldstwmn]

http://www.japantoday.com/e/?content=news&cat=8&id=299890

Madonna kicks off world tour, minus Israel dates


Wednesday, May 26, 2004 at 07:00 JST
LOS ANGELES — The queen of pop, Madonna, kicked off her new world tour Tuesday in Los Angeles in a show peppered with anti-war images after announcing that she had canceled her Israeli concert dates amid fears of terror attacks.

The musical icon launched her 50-concert tour in energetic style sitting in an electric chair before a capacity crowd at the Inglewood Forum late Monday, then switching seamlessly from jeweled costumes to military fatigues that evoked war in the Middle East.



But as the queen of the revamp began her "Reinvention" tour, the mother of two announced she had been forced to pull the plug on her Israeli tour as violence racks the West Bank and Gaza.

"It's not a good idea to go there and do concerts," she told the U.S. television entertainment show "Access Hollywood" in an exclusive interview aired late Monday.

The British tabloid newspaper The Sun reported Monday that Madonna had canceled her three Israeli dates after she received threats against her and her children, seven-year-old Lourdes and three-year-old Rocco.

But Madonna denied she or her brood had been threatened, saying: "No, if I had my way, I'd go. My manager wouldn't let me."

She said her manager scrapped the Israeli concerts scheduled for September because of the "attack on the leader of Hamas."

Under the shadow of Middle East violence and the war in Iraq, the 45-year-old Madonna kicked off her politically fueled Reinvention tour with the energy that made her world famous more than two decades ago.

A video backdrop showing tough images of U.S. soldiers at war and injured children popped up during her camouflage-clad rendition of "American Life," drawing ire from some members of the audience.

Images of a Palestinian boy walking arm in arm with an Israeli were shown, and pictures of ill or injured children formed the backdrop as Madonna sang John Lennon's "Imagine."

She belted out both new and classic songs, including "Vogue," "Get Into the Groove," "Crazy for You" and "Papa Don't Preach," as well as her mega-hit "Material Girl."

But some fans, who paid up to $200 for their tickets, were bitterly disappointed that she did not perform one of her trademark numbers, "Like a Virgin."

While there were around 12 costume changes, gone were the conical bras of her 1980s heyday, replaced by more sober and less sexually provocative duds.

Over the next four months, some 750,000 fans are expected to see Madonna perform in concert in venues including London, New York, Paris and Toronto. (Wire reports)

[dissention]

http://www.japantoday.com/e/?content=news&cat=8&id=299890

Madonna kicks off world tour, minus Israel dates


Wednesday, May 26, 2004 at 07:00 JST
The musical icon launched her 50-concert tour in energetic style sitting in an electric chair before a capacity crowd at the Inglewood Forum late Monday, then switching seamlessly from jeweled costumes to military fatigues that evoked war in the Middle East.

A video backdrop showing tough images of U.S. soldiers at war and injured children popped up during her camouflage-clad rendition of "American Life," drawing ire from some members of the audience.

Images of a Palestinian boy walking arm in arm with an Israeli were shown, and pictures of ill or injured children formed the backdrop as Madonna sang John Lennon's "Imagine."

But some fans, who paid up to $200 for their tickets, were bitterly disappointed that she did not perform one of her trademark numbers, "Like a Virgin."

Wow. She has a BIG pair of brass balls.

And when was the last time she performed Like A Virgin LIVE? Not in a long, long time.

[77Rumours77]

She performed LAV last year at some promotion for American Life

[dissention]

She performed LAV last year at some promotion for American Life

REALLY?!

When is she going to do Material Girl, then?! :lol:

[sparky]

Tickets are expensive - but I heard of a few people last night picking up top price tix outside from last minute scalpers for 30-50 bucks a pop.

[77Rumours77]

REALLY?!

When is she going to do Material Girl, then?! :lol:
On this tour! Yes thats right she is doing Material Girl on this tour! :)

[jadegypsy]

Hey, Thanks to whoever posted the setlist, I will be seeing her on this tour, waited my whole life so I am really excited. I didn't shell out $300 though, on the first day the tixs were on sale some good ones popped up at lower prices, then when tickemaster sold out a good portion they upped even the lesser quality ones to $300, delightful company isn't it.

Oh Madonna did perform LAV however she didn't know the words or key?, to sing it in, was a bit funny, but I would guess she hadn't performed it in ages, so glad to see Material Girl and Vogue though on the setlist:)

Anyways, thanks for no one jumping down my throat over my opinion on the tribute concerts, I will agree that the timing and location was not the brightest, but the idea or at least the probably intention behind them was good, that was mostly what I was trying to say.