In 1985, the pairing of the Beastie
Boys and Madonna on the Like a Virgin Tour seemed
to make no logical sense at all. Yet, looking back on the
careers of the two forces it makes perfect sense. Both Madonna
and the Beastie Boys have successfully recreated their images
time and time again. Who would have guessed the 'material
girl' of the 1980s would become the sex goddess of the 1990s
and later the perfect mother? Answer: no one. Who would
have guessed the bratty beer can throwing Beastie Boys of
the 1980s would become the social activists of the 1990s
and later the world's perfect band combining elements of
jazzy instrumentals along New York hardcore and rap? Answer:
no one.
In 1985, the Like a Virgin Tour
played to some of the largest venues in the nation. As the
opening act for Madonna on the tour, the Beastie Boys played
songs that were post- Pollywog
Stew and Cooky
Puss and pre-Licensed
to Ill. Material like "Rock Hard" and
"Drum Machine" were the mainstays in the band's
short setlist. Madonna never spoke negatively about the
band, even though her fans were very critical of the young
white rappers.
The last fifteen years have been
very good to both the Beastie Boys and to Madonna. It will
be interesting to see where they both take their music and
their identities in the next fifteen years. Perhaps a reunion
tour will happen someday...the question then will not be
who will open for who, but rather will anyone of us be able
to afford concert tickets!
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