The light's illuminated the stairway as the beat of the music quickened not only my heart but in rhythm. The face of an Angel appeared smiling as she made her way down the stairway to the lone microphone waiting to project a silky smooth voice to thousands. I watched as musical magic was being made! That was the moment I first saw Madonna and I fell in love. I was Seven years old and "Dress You Up" was released accompanied by a live performance taken from "The Virgin Tour". The televisions in Australia were saturated with this video and I loved it. I waited with anticipation for every new release and over the years she did not disappoint as each new album brought new masterpieces to make up the soundtrack of my life. Being male not everyone could understand my infatuation and the only explanation I can give is that Madonna Talks to me! She speaks my language! I have learnt more about life and history from her music, images, movies and video's than I could have leant by myself. Her messages and determination to stay on top are inspiring. One day I had to see her for myself - I had to know what the Madonna experience was really like! I was 16 in 1993 when Madonna toured with "The Girlie Show". Molly Meldrum (an Australian music historian and journalist and Madonna's friend) announced that Madonna would visit Australia bringing with her a show that would blow us all away. I had to go...just had to! Tickets were announced and unfortunately for a 16 year old school boy with no job, I could not afford the steep prices the promoter charged to bring Madonna to our shores. My entire school heard that I could not afford the ticket and they banded together and collected Money to send me to see my Idol. Tickets went on sale and I was happy for all my friends who purchased a ticket to my dreams and would make them promise to tell me everything about the show from the set down to the costumes. My Birthday falls on November 16th and at lunchtime a circle formed around me as everyone sang Happy Birthday. My best friend Scott made an announcement that still gives me chills to this day. "Happy Birthday Shane - you are going to Madonna" and with that he handed me the ticket that so many people had helped pay for. It truly was one of the happiest days of my life. The date was November 20th, 1993. A cold grey rainy day. I imagined this day would be sunny, an easy day with no complications - a day I could look back on forever and feel perfection. This was not to be! we made our way to the Sydney Cricket Ground and upon our arrival a voice was beaming out of the loudspeakers "Unfortunately due to the rain - tonight's Madonna show has been postponed" I was devastated. My first concert, my first Madonna experience - postponed! I was to young to drown my sorrows with beer so we decided to have a Madonna party instead. We went home sang and danced to Madonna all night. December 4th, 1993 came and once again we made our way to The Sydney Cricket Ground. Rain clouds circled the arena threatenening to end my dream but I dared them to get in my way. Peter Andre an Australian artist who was quite big at the time opened the show. Once his show had finished the stage was reset for the Queen to occupy and inspire. The time had come and the house light's dimmed. The opening music started as the energy from the fans erupted into volcanic forces. Then she appeared rising from the stage dressed in black to sing Erotica. The fans reached boiling point which was quite scary and then her voice sounded through the speakers and into my memory forever. WOW - I was here...I was actually seeing her. All these years of worship and love overcame me and I cried true tears of joy. When she sat down with Niki and Donna to sing rain a light mist of summer rain fell from the sky - it was magical. The show continued and the rain held off. Madonna looked happy and I felt fulfilled. Madonna finished her encore of Everybody raced off stage. Was that it? Was I to ever see her again? The clown appeared one last time prompting the crowd to cheer more and more which of course we did. The clown unveiled it's identity by removing it's mask and there stood...Madonna! We cheered and cheered and she finished by singing "Everybody Is A Star" before waving to the crowd I waved back feeling as though I had said goodbye to her and all my years of waiting to see her. The Girlie Show holds many special memories and feelings for me. None of which can ever be replicated. Thankyou Madonna for enriching my life with your music. Shane Kennedy