About this episode
Yasi Salek and Mel Ottenberg discuss Madonna's early life, career beginnings, and major breakthroughs in music.
Yasi kicks off Bandsplain’s multipart Madonna epic with returning guest and fashion icon Mel Ottenberg. They discuss Madonna’s childhood and upbringing in Michigan, her dance career and the formative relationships that led her to New York City, her history playing in bands, her immersion in the club scene, the breakthrough singles that made her impossible to ignore, her first three albums, and all the major collaborators, major looks, and major breakthroughs along the way. Episode PlaylistListen to the Madonna: Part 1 playlist here. CREDITS:Host: Yasi Salek @yasisalekGuest: Mel Ottenberg @melzy917Producer: Rob SundermannEditor: Adrian BridgesAdditional Production Supervision: Justin SaylesTheme Song: Bethany Cosentino Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
People in this episode
Host: Yasi Salek
Guest: Mel Ottenberg
Topics covered
- Madonna's childhood
- dance career
- club scene
- breakthrough singles
- collaborators
- fashion
Keywords
- Madonna
- Yasi Salek
- Mel Ottenberg
- dance career
- club scene
- breakthrough singles
- fashion
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: The Ringer
Books & works: Madonna
Places: Michigan, New York City
More episodes of Bandsplain
- Madonna Mailbag With Fattaneh Salek and Patrik Sandberg · June 11, 2026 · 2h 46m
- Madonna: The Movies With Amanda Dobbins and Sean Fennessey · June 4, 2026 · 2h 22m
- Madonna: Part 4 With Caryn Ganz · May 28, 2026 · 3h 46m
- Madonna: Part 3 With Paul Hamann · May 21, 2026 · 4h 2m
- Madonna: Part 2 with Patrik Sandberg · May 14, 2026 · 4h 37m
- Life Without Buildings with Blondshell · April 23, 2026 · 1h 23m
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