The Offbeat Diva’s:1970s-2000s

By: Remington Maxwell

Thesis

• Lady Gaga can be creatively expressive without much pushback to American audiences from the influence and impact of the past artists like Britney Spears of the 1990s, Madonna of the 1980s, and Cher of the 1970s, on American culture.

Before going into detail…

• Reasons why I chose Madonna, Cher, Britney, and Gaga:

1. All of them are similar -jarring, crazy, divergent, outlandish2. All females (Girl power)3. Stuck out in their era

Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta

• Born March 28, 1986• Attended catholic school with Hilton sisters• Mastered piano at age 11• Attended NYU’s Tisch School of Arts; only 1

year-songwriting, acting

• Destructive path began

• Began dancing as burlesque girl in NYC bars; drugs and alcohol daily

• Queen released a song called “Radio Ga Ga” which was the inspiration of her name..

LADY GAGA• Father told her she would make no friends

with the way she was…. Totally changed Gaga.

• 2005, Def Jam Records, soon released• Continued writing and performing at NYC bars• Akon found her.. Soon signed with Interscope

-wrote for New Kids on the Block, Britney Spears

• Successfully written 3 albums-”Born This Way”-”The Fame”-”The Fame Monster”

• first hit “Just Dance”

Outrageous Outfits

Most Memorable Performance

• Song “Paparazzi”• MTV Music Video Awards• Blood everywhere… first live performance on television…• Public was blown away and shocked

Gaga beliefs

• If you are gay, you were born that way, hence her song “Born This Way”

• Majority of songs about homosexuality• All dancers are gay men or transgendered• Not afraid to speak opinion

Cherilyn Sarkisian Lapiere

• Born May 20, 1946; El Centro, CA• Quit high school age 16 to become a star• 1960s began writing and singing with soon to be

husband Sonny Bono• Sonny and Cher– Known for kooky hairdos, makeup, hippie outfits

• Tv show “The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour”• 1970s divorced

Sonny and Cher

• Independent woman!• Signed with Casablanca Records; solo artist• Number of #1 hits and Top 10 songs• Surpassed the four-decade mark

- astounding voice, Oscar-worthy acting, fashionista

• Latest movie “Burlesque”

Madonna

• Born August 16, 1958; Michigan• Two years at University of Michigan• Moved to NYC for dance, performance• Record deal with Sire Records

-first hit “Everybody”-first album “Madonna”

• Known for pop music, wardrobe (fishnets, lingerie, cone shaped bra)

• 38 Top 10 singles!-”Like a Virgin” “Material Girl” “Express Yourself”

Memorable Performance

• MTV Music Video Awards• Song “Like a Virgin”• Shocked audience with risque, white, lace

wedding dress like outfit

Britney Spears

• Born December 2, 1981; Louisiana• “Mickey Mouse Club”; cancelled• Signed with Jive Records– “…Baby One More Time”– Music video dressed as skimpy Catholic schoolgirl;

shocked audience– “Oops I Did It Again”

• Sex appeal overshadowed music • Drugs and alcohol; head shaving; rock bottom• Never left sex appeal stage• Couple kids, ex husbands, but still in the game

Compare the Diva’s

Cher and Gaga

• Cher was one of first females to show her bellybutton on TV.

• Gaga has shown bellybutton and more.• Both known for crazy hairdo’s• Cher: long black hair, straight or afro-like• Gaga: every color, style, wigs (improved Cher’s

do’s)• Both music is fun, danceable • Cher more disco….. Gaga more pop

Madonna and Gaga

• Many rumors that Gaga is a “copy-cat”, the stars hate each other

• Wardrobe scary alike… almost mirrored images. (pictures)

• Both memorable performances were on the VMA’s… with similar outfits.

• Similar attitudes in life; free spiritied• Both believe in gay rights.– Gay dancers on tour and music videos– Gaga is stronger believer.. So it seems

Madonna has called out Gaga for stealing songs, such as melody to “Express Yourself”… coincidentally Gaga’s “Born This Way” is the same. Gaga denies.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0PvggdjkKE

Britney Spears and Gaga

• Started careers at young, age.• Brought up Catholic, musically talented girls• Grew out of innocent stage, sexy, iconic rebels• Music videos were outstanding and original• Great dancers, known for racy dance moves• Great performers

Conclusion

• At the end of the day, “the hippie, disco singer”, “the first risqué dressing, pop singer”, “the young, innocent, sex kitten vocalist”, and “the mesmerizing, talented, whacky, overplayed, pop singer” all have one love… being MUSIC.

Cites

• I got most of my pics from google images.• http://www.vulture.com/2011/02/

is_lady_gaga_the_next_madonna.html • http://www.imdb.com/name/nm000033medi

aindex3/

• http://www.superiorpics.com/britney_spears/ • http://www.starpulse.com/Music/Lady_Gaga/

Pictures/