On the eve of the release of Madonna’s much anticipated GHV2: Greatest Hits, Volume 2, the pop icon will be honored by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) with its coveted Diamond Award – denoting sales of more than l0 million units for her sterling hits chronicle, THE IMMACULATE COLLECTION.
Covering her creative output between l99l-2001, Warner Bros./ Maverick’s GHV2 encapsulates Madonna’s most critically lauded period, featuring an all-hit retrospective of such smash hits as “Erotica,” “Secret,” “Take A Bow,” “Frozen,” “Ray Of Light,” and “Music.” “If you listen to the record, you can really see my evolution as a singer, songwriter and more importantly – a human being,” stated Madonna. The set deftly illustrates the artist’s continued influence on popular music and culture, offering songs from a career that has seen sales of over l50 million units worldwide. The record, which is due in stores worldwide on November l3th, 2001 will be accompanied by one of the most significant tv, advertising and promotional campaigns ever launched. There will also be special MTV and VH1 programming featuring Madonna that will coincide with the release of GHV2.
The deluxe packaging for GHV2 features over 600 career retrospective photos of Madonna and was designed by Grammy award winning art director Kevin Reagan.
The GHV2 compilation will be complemented by the simultaneous release of a DVD/VHS recording of Madonna’s widely acclaimed “Drowned World Tour,” which played to sold-out audiences throughout the world during the summer of 2001. The DVD/VHS offers footage of Madonna’s performance at The Palace of Auburn Hills in her hometown of Detroit. “Drowned World Tour” first aired on HBO in August to record-breaking ratings. “The tour was a celebration of everything I’ve done musically in the last l0 years. It seemed appropriate to punctuate that with a DVD and record that contained the singles from the same time period. I loved being able to perform these songs from my last three records, ” added Madonna. The cover photographs on the DVD/VHS package were taken by long time Madonna friend, Rosie O’Donnell.
The RIAA’s Diamond Award for THE IMMACULATE COLLECTION covers the first phase of the diva’s career spanning from l982’s “Holiday” to l990’s “Justify My Love” and includes the timeless classics “Like A Virgin,” “Vogue,” and “Like A Prayer.” To date, the compilation has sold more than 22 million copies worldwide.
