When Madonna's first recordings were released, some rock critics wrote that her voice was thin and colorless. And many people complained that her songs and videos were demeaning to women. But Madonna didn't let criticism stop her. She became one of pop music's biggest stars. And she has used her musical success to branch out into other fields. Over the course of her career, Madonna has spent time as an actress, a record and film producer, and an author of children's books. Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone was born in Bay City, Michigan, in 1958. She began her career in 1978 as a dancer in New York City. She later appeared with various groups as a drummer and singer, and then formed her own band. Her first album, Madonna , was released in 1983, and the single "Borderline" was her first Top 10 hit. But it was her second album, Like a Virgin (1984), featuring "Material Girl," that made Madonna a superstar. Touring the country, she attract...