Follow Zap2it:
Michael Jackson, Britney Spears and 5 iconic HBO concerts that precede Lady Gaga's Monster Ball
With the impending release of Lady Gaga's third album "Born This Way" (you may have heard about it), the 24-year-old singer is also getting her own HBO concert.
The network announced that Gaga's Feb. 21 and 22 shows at New York's Madison Square Garden will be packaged into a special, airing Saturday, May 7.
This may seem like a natural step for the Grammy-winning, 15-million-record-selling singer, but HBO doesn't just hand these things out. Gaga enters an elite fraternity including Madonna, Michael Jackson and Britney Spears.
And, yes, the days of event television may be behind us, but the spectacle of a well-produced concert is timeless. So here are five of the more iconic performances to ever grace pay cable:
Michael Jackson, The Dangerous Tour, 1993
Reported at the time as the "largest financial deal for a concert performance" in TV history, MJ's show in Bucharest, Romania, landed on HBO during a period when the artist was distancing himself from public appearances in the USA. In hindsight, Jackson's moves and command of the stage endure. His billowing kimono and guitarist dressed as the Tree of Life from "Avatar..." not so much.
Madonna, Drowned World Tour, 2001
Her third HBO special -- a follow-up to 1990's Blond Ambition and 1993's Girlie Show -- was sort of a coup for the singer, who'd all but abandoned her singles from the '80s. But the Material Girl returned to her home inthe English countryside suburban Detroit with a tour that hit all of her career highs. This one was broadcast live, with a countdown special that reminds us that, as much as we'd like to forget, the early aughts were basically still the '90s. Karen Duffy and several dozen men with platinum highlights offer proof of that.
Britney Spears, Live From Las Vegas, 2001
Can you believe Britney Spears was three years and three albums deep into her career before she had televised concert? It may have something to do with the fact that singing live has never really been her thing, but this show proved she can writhe in simulated rain with the best of them. Nobody else has, or will, ever look this good in a transparent cowboy hat.
Justin Timberlake, FutureSex/LoveShow, 2007
Justin Timberlake may be considering a career solely devoted to acting, but it's probably just been too long since he last popped in the Blu-ray of his 2007 show at Madison Square Garden. It puts his work in "The Social Network" to shame. And clocking in at just under 2 hours, it also holds the unofficial record for longest consecutive period of time one mortal human being has literally oozed sex.
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Concert, 2009
If god were to make a concert line-up, it would probably look a lot like the 25th anniversary show for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Legends like Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon and B.B. King played with a host of other guests, culminating in a Springsteen/Billy Joel medley. They close the night with "Born To Run," and it's arguably one of the greatest things to ever happen. Ever.
Top that, Gaga.
The network announced that Gaga's Feb. 21 and 22 shows at New York's Madison Square Garden will be packaged into a special, airing Saturday, May 7.
This may seem like a natural step for the Grammy-winning, 15-million-record-selling singer, but HBO doesn't just hand these things out. Gaga enters an elite fraternity including Madonna, Michael Jackson and Britney Spears.
And, yes, the days of event television may be behind us, but the spectacle of a well-produced concert is timeless. So here are five of the more iconic performances to ever grace pay cable:
Michael Jackson, The Dangerous Tour, 1993
Reported at the time as the "largest financial deal for a concert performance" in TV history, MJ's show in Bucharest, Romania, landed on HBO during a period when the artist was distancing himself from public appearances in the USA. In hindsight, Jackson's moves and command of the stage endure. His billowing kimono and guitarist dressed as the Tree of Life from "Avatar..." not so much.
Madonna, Drowned World Tour, 2001
Her third HBO special -- a follow-up to 1990's Blond Ambition and 1993's Girlie Show -- was sort of a coup for the singer, who'd all but abandoned her singles from the '80s. But the Material Girl returned to her home in
Britney Spears, Live From Las Vegas, 2001
Can you believe Britney Spears was three years and three albums deep into her career before she had televised concert? It may have something to do with the fact that singing live has never really been her thing, but this show proved she can writhe in simulated rain with the best of them. Nobody else has, or will, ever look this good in a transparent cowboy hat.
Justin Timberlake, FutureSex/LoveShow, 2007
Justin Timberlake may be considering a career solely devoted to acting, but it's probably just been too long since he last popped in the Blu-ray of his 2007 show at Madison Square Garden. It puts his work in "The Social Network" to shame. And clocking in at just under 2 hours, it also holds the unofficial record for longest consecutive period of time one mortal human being has literally oozed sex.
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Concert, 2009
If god were to make a concert line-up, it would probably look a lot like the 25th anniversary show for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Legends like Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon and B.B. King played with a host of other guests, culminating in a Springsteen/Billy Joel medley. They close the night with "Born To Run," and it's arguably one of the greatest things to ever happen. Ever.
Top that, Gaga.
Follow Zap2it on Twitter and Zap2it on Facebook for the latest news and buzz
Photo/Video credit: HBO
Related pics
Zap2it Elite Sheet Must Reads from the Web's In-Crowd
Our Partners
"Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel? Who are they??" -- the youth of today don't know or care about any of these old artists. They are living in the NOW, and right now Gaga is their queen. I predict Lady Gaga's Monster Ball special will be the most viewed concert to air on HBO. Her and her Little Monsters are a force to be reckoned with!
Just a Girl . You're totally wrong.
Comments like the one above are precisely the reason why the study of history is important. I don't necessarily know very many Bruce Springsteen or Billy Joel songs, but I recognize that their music is an important part of American culture. Just because they're past their prime doesn't mean that we can't learn from them. That may be the single most reason why artists today seem so shallow. There's nothing there because there's no respect for history.
Im sorry but alot of these "old artists" are not only her inspiration they are much more talented.
Also MJ is far beyond any of them when if comes to putting on a show, not to mention he is far more influential now then he has been in the past decade because people are finally understanding him.
On another note her over hyped proformance at the grammys wasnt even as good as what Justin Bieber did. Not saying he did awesome by any standards but lets be honest the some in the world of music have really lowered their standard since MJs passing.
Hey Mikey, where'd you get the Britney Spears clip from... That's not version that is on the official Tour DVD... interesting. I was surprised when I was watching your clip, she's actually singing live.
Madonna had had 3 concerts broadcast on HBO. Blond Ambition was the first in 1990 then Girlie Show and Drowned World.
HBO never broadcast Michael Jackson's Dangerous tour. it was the 2nd best selling concert dvd after beyonce's last year. maybe they can broadcast it for his birthday. simply the best.
Janet Jackson also had HBO air her concert. Twice indeed for, Janets Velvet Rope Tour, and Janets All For U tour in 2001.
No matter what you "little monsters" think, Britney spears will always be the queen. Gagas 15 minutes of fame are almost done. Even with Brits past troubles she still manages to be on top. Its Britney *****!
Jackson sold the film rights to his concert in Bucharest on October 1, 1992 to HBO for $21 million. The deal was the highest ever paid for a live concert. The concert was broadcast live on radio and shown on television across 61 countries, and received the highest TV ratings in the history of the HBO network, in which Jackson was honoured with a CableACE Award