40 Years Ago, Madonna Performed ‘Like A Virgin’ For The First Time

Keith Haring and a few of his friends were privileged to have a first listen to Madonna’s hit songs “Dress You Up” and “Like a Virgin” in 1984. The queen of pop performed both songs at Keith’s 26th birthday party at New York City’s Paradise Garage nightclub.

Some of the famous attendees included Diana Ross, Andy Warhol, and music producer Nile Rodgers, who joined in the birthday bash-themed “Party Of Life.” As a nod to her friend, who is also a queer activist, Madonna wore a pink Stephen Sprouse suit detailed with Keith’s graffiti images and symbols.

Fans react to Madonna’s first ‘Like A Virgin’ performance

Madonna has often reminisced about Keith’s 26th birthday with photos and clips from the event, which her fans consider “iconic.” In 2021, she took to social media with a video from the night, and her caption read, “May 16, 1984 – Dressed by her friend, Madonna attends Keith Haring’s Birthday party at The Paradise Garage in New York, also performing ‘Dress You Up’ during the bash.”

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Her followers took the cue to pay tribute to Keith, who died from AIDS in 1990 while complementing Madonna’s ever-glamorous style. “Imagine the amazing costumes #KeithHaring would have continued to create for Madonna if he did not die of AIDS-related complications (at age 31) in 1990,” a user commented.

Their unique friendship

Madonna and Keith were close friends who had been creatively inspired by each other since meeting in the early ‘80s. Since Keith’s passing, Madonna has made sure to remember him, paying tribute to him on World AIDS Day. During her just-concluded Celebration tour, the “Material Girl” crooner celebrated Keith and other AIDS victims like Queen’s Freddie Mercury and Martin Burgoyne while performing her 1986 song “Live to Tell.”

She has been known to wear some of Keith’s pieces as well to celebrate their friendship. In 2009, Madonna told Rolling Stone that she has “a leather jacket that Keith Haring painted on that I would never give up.” She also credits him for supporting her as an upcoming singer, even when many had not taken to her music yet.