Hi All,
To continue on with my mini blog series for Iconic Pop Culture, I present Donna De Lory on Madonna and Music. A presentation and Interview with the longest running Madonna collaborator, 20 years in fact. A celebration of Donna De Lorys body of work.
Donna De Lory has now had a recording carer spanning 4 decades and it is safe to say that Donna grew up with music in her DNA while surrounded by a musical family. Growing up to work with the likes of Belinda Carlisle, Mylene Farmer, Selena, Bette Midler and many more artists.
For MANY others, including myself, Donna De Lory was part of a Power Trio performing in 5 Madonna concerts as well as many promotional performances. The power trio I refer to was Madonna, Niki Haris and Donna De Lory herself. They performed many iconic theatrical presentations in front of thousands with impressive dance moves and voices to match. Therefore, it's an honour that Donna said 'yes' to this interview and take a journey through her career. So, let's dive in...
Jonny - Madonna fans saw you for the first time in 1987 as part of the Who’s that Girl World Tour at Osaka Stadium, Japan. There you are performing as part of a full-on production in front of thousands. How did it feel? Is this when the magnitude of Madonna’s fame, at that point in time kicked in?
Donna - It was an overwhelming experience! I was nervous that opening night of the tour. After all of that rehearsing, I wasn’t sure if I could remember everything and be a great performer with the overwhelming excitement of 80,000 fans! I remember when the blinds opened on "True Blue" and there were all of the people!! I was so excited and stayed focused. In this moment, I knew this is what I was meant to do.
Donna De Lory busting the moves at the MTV Awards 1989 with Madonna for Express Yourself
Jonny – Cut to 1989 and we see Madonna, Niki Haris and yourself as a team together during the performance of Express Yourself at the VMA’s. Singing about empowerment. A kick ass dance routine which referenced 'vogue ballroom' commercially for the first time and some famous crotch grabbing. This was the start of the power trio for fans long before 'Girl Power' became a “thing”. Who’s idea was it for the 3 of you to perform together and did this make you feel that your talent was being trusted by someone who had attained commercial success?
Donna - Madonna, Niki and I knew that we had a chemistry together from working with one another since 1987 and hanging out as friends. The concept of girl power was really appropriate for the song. We were in that time of our lives, supporting each other to stand up for ourselves and demand respect from the men in our lives from a place of inner power and strength. As a young woman, this force is so much greater when your girlfriends are by your side. We were excited to do the new moves too for the MTV performance! What can I say, being by Madonna’s side made us feel so mighty and unstoppable.
Jonny – 1990, the year of the Blond Ambition Tour. A tour that would change the landscape for future pop artists to follow in terms of production as well as controversial subject matters. Not to mention hitting the headlines at every country the tour shook. During rehearsals, did you ever feel like, there is no way we can say or do this in a concert or what will my family members think when they see this? Or could you sense this would be a ground-breaking concert and enjoyed the buzz?
Donna - Yes, there were parts of the show that I knew would be controversial like the lasers coming from the cross, especially in Italy. It was always exciting to see how people in different countries would react. And, as you saw in the movie, the more local officials that were against this kind of show, the more strength and determination it gave us to put on an unforgettable spectacle. Fortunately, I had a family with a pretty open mind and they understood show business. Many of my family members were musicians and performers as well.
Jonny - The Blond Ambition Tour was very energetic, was it difficult to keep up with dance routines each night, plus singing as well as the travel? Did you feel worn out when the tour ended?
Donna - Thank God I was very young and physically fit. I had trained as a dancer since I was young so that helped too. Once we were out there we received so much energy from the audience. Every morning I would work out in the hotel gym to keep my body strong, and we ate well on tour as we brought along a vegetarian chef. Madonna was a great example and I knew that I could keep up with her. Growing up singing and dancing together had really prepared me for this kind of a show.
Jonny - A workout before each show as well? That's a lot but very impressive. You're helping my motivation Donna!
Donna De Lory performing with Madonna "Holiday" on the Blond Ambition Tour 1990
Truth or Dare?
Jonny - Truth or Dare / In Bed with Madonna 1991 Documentary. Here we get to know aspects of you and other performers from the Blond Ambition Tour. This fly on the wall styled film set the tone for reality TV. How did it feel when you first saw the final cut? Do you have a sense of pride that this iconic moment in time is captured on film and forever celebrated amongst fans as well as being discovered by newer fans 30 years later?
Donna - I was so excited at the premiere and a bit nervous that some things that I might have done or said on camera would be hurtful to people in my life. I had spoken about my early life and my father leaving the family for another woman, as well as experiences that I had on tour when I was still in a relationship at that time. I was relieved that those clips were not included in the final cut. I was sitting with the dancers and Mama Make Up when they saw their scenes for the first time, and I could feel how badly they felt about them.
Donna De Lory Goes Solo
Jonny - 1992 you released your self-titled debut album Donna De Lory. Did it feel scary putting out your own material? And many of us did wonder… why did Maverick not sign you up?
Donna - Yes, so many people at that time wondered that.
I went with a company that was most passionate about my voice and my songs. Madonna gave me a song too which helped me as a new artist because the company felt that it would be a great way for me to get onto pop radio. My music at the time had more of a rock edge so I tried to make that song my own by adding more electric guitars and edgy vocals. It was also my debut as a songwriter on many other songs on the debut album.
I fought with the company to have my song, “Praying for Love” be my debut single because it showcased me as a writer as well, and had a beautiful message that reflected my spiritual life.
Donna De Lory Praying For Love
Jonny - Looking back at your music videos from your debut album. It is easy to see you had worldly influences in terms of spiritual imagery. Was this your intention, to be more personally authentic as much as you could be within the music industry?
Donna - I had been exposed to the many colors of the world from touring with Madonna and discovered world music primarily through listening to music on Peter Gabriel’s label, Real World. I had always wanted to incorporate my feelings about spirituality in my music but sometimes I was discouraged by the producer to make a pure pop record that would get on the radio. I would bring in world music albums with Indian tablas and middle eastern vocals and percussion. I told him that I loved this sound and would like to have it in the production on my record, but he being the producer trying to please the record company had the ultimate say of how it would sound. He was there to produce pop hits and didn’t want to make a record that was too eclectic for radio. That sound would come later for me when I became an indie artist and I was free to produce the beautiful music from my heart without the pressure to make “hits”.
The Power Trio return to perform Bye Bye Baby at the MTV Awards 1993
Jonny - 1993 and the trio return to the VMA’s for a show stealing opening performance of “Bye Bye Baby”. Tabloids had field day with this gender bending concept. When you were part of such routines, did you have an awareness that audience members and the media may be shocked? Did causing such a commotion (see what I did there) make it feel more worthwhile?
Donna - I loved to put on a costume and be a different character. Taking a man’s role was a lot of fun!! That is one of my favorite performances. You could see how much fun we were having with it. We imagined how people would react, and that made it all the more exciting. I recently got that jacket out of storage and wore it in a video called “Temporary” with a band called La Machine De Rêve that I am a part of. We also covered "Open Your Heart” on our album.
Temporary By La Machone De Reve. Jonny - I really love the trippy alternative style! There is something very poetic about this song and video. A nod to your past?
The Girlie Show 1993
Jonny - You hit the tour scene again with Madonna for the Girlie Show in September 1993. A more refined theatrical show and of course more controversy. How was your experience during this tour compared to the previous two outings with Madonna?
Donna - Niki and I were such a big part of the show so it was artistically satisfying and kept me in great physical shape. I got to do promo for my own debut album on days off too, so I was really busy. By that time, I had really learned how to take care of myself on the road.
Jonny - Is it true you left your record label in 1994 due to creative differences? If so, it was very admirable, at the time, rather brave of you not to be swayed away from your interest in world music as your 2nd album “Songs 95” is beautiful. A musical journey that the likes of Kate Bush would take us on. At least we can all hear the full album now. It held up well!!
Donna - These were my demos for my 2nd album to be recorded and released by the company. They let me put my dream band together to develop the material and that led me into more of a direction of world music but still with a pop song format. I had secured producers who had worked with Sinéad O'Connor and Sarah McLachlan. The executives were changing at the company and the man who signed me had left. They eventually agreed to let me go because they didn’t understand what I wanted to do. I took the money I had saved and went to Guitar Center to buy my own home studio equipment and I learned how to engineer and produce my own music. It felt so liberating to develop my own style with collaborator Cellist, Cameron Stone.
Donna De Lory - I'LL Be There For You . One of my personal favourites from the album!!
Jonny - 1996 you toured Europe with popular French recording artist Mylène Farmer (for those that don't know, Mylène is VERY popular throughout Europe and also puts on large production shows) How did you feel during this tour? As in, did you feel creatively fulfilled? As a fan of the “trio” it felt odd to see you on someone else's stage!
Donna - I always loved being in France and had spent a lot of time there with a French boyfriend that I had from 1987-1990.
I loved Mylène’s voice and always enjoyed her videos and style when I was in France on tour and they would come on MTV Europe. It was great to work with another artist in a big show. Niki Haris was asked to do that tour as well but she had broken her leg. Mylène even wanted to record my songs that ended up on my first indie album, “Bliss", but the only thing was she made it a condition that I could not record them myself.
Jonny - In my humble opinion, that's a bit disappointing of her to have requested such a term.
Watch our Donna work the stage as she supports Mylène Farmer on tour in 1996
Jonny - So, a good few years went by, fans were all growing up and Madonna was doing her thing & became a Mother, as well as yourself working on recordings. It felt unlikely we would see you all together again. Then the trio return to the stage at the EMAs to perform Madonna’s new single Music. Personally, one of my all-time favourite live performance of this song .
Donna - Yes, it was always so great to be asked to perform again with Madonna.
Jonny - The 3 of you looked happy freestyling on the stage. How did it feel being back together again and could you feel the appreciation? Did you enjoy the new musical direction Madonna was going on?
Donna - I loved the new music as well as the western style which I was familiar with having lived in Nashville for my teenage years. I was very comfortable in cowboy boots and a cowboy hat! The new music felt more freeing.
Jonny - 3 more tours followed with you alongside Madonna for Music, Reinvention, and the Confessions World Tour. As well as other promotional work. Which one of these tours did you enjoy the most and why? Did you miss Niki Haris when she did not return? I know the fans did; it did not seem the same.
Donna - I missed singing with Niki so much and the unique chemistry that we had onstage with M, but I knew that she needed to move on. I even went to see her in a dance club one night when she did her own show while we were on tour. I was happy to see her surrounded by the crowd out there singing her own music and being a diva. I will always admire Niki’s talent and I feel so honored to continue to collaborate with her.
Jonny - During the final 2 outings with Madonna, we saw less of you center stage. Yes, fans noticed. Was this the creative director’s decision?
Donna - Yes, I guess it was. I have to say, that it just wasn’t as much fun not being out there closer to the fans!
Jonny - We last saw you perform with Madonna at Live Earth at Wembley Stadium in 2007. Did you know at this point that it would be your last?
Donna - Every time a tour ended and we all said goodbye, I honestly always thought I may not perform with Madonna again so yes, I thought this could be my last time so I took it all in and appreciated every moment.
Jonny - To end referencing the 20-year working relationship with Madonna, are you aware that many fans still hope for an appearance from yourself and Niki each time Madonna goes back out on tour. Do you ever miss it?
Donna - Yes, I miss it, but we are all in different parts of our lives now. I will always love and admire Madonna and I am open to an opportunity to work with her again one day. I think it would be great for us to come together for a charity event. It is really touching when I read messages from the fans that would love to see this happen.
Jonny - Being part of cutting-edge pop culture, you stayed on your own path. Somewhat leaving behind the commercial industry and turning fully to spirituality, not just in your personal life but also with your artistic expression. Was there a certain shift that caused this or is it something that gradually happened?
Donna - It is something that my heart was drawn to. I was free to explore different sounds and by singing in Sanskrit on my albums which I had always been inspired to do, since I first heard Joseph Campbell talk about Sanskrit as being the great spiritual language of the world. The sounds of the mantras have inspired me to use my voice as more of a transcendent instrument. I look forward to doing more of this on future recordings. I love to make meditation music that can help heal people, as well as singer/songwriter albums.
Gayatri Mantra - Donna De Lory
Jonny - Over the years you’ve put out some great track remixes, including the remix album Universal Light (Great for Vinyasa Yoga). Would you ever consider recording a full-on club album that merge your influences?
Donna - Yes!!! I would love to do this and please let me know ideas that you have for producers, that you would like to hear me collaborate with! I have enjoyed working with Bright Light Bright Light on a new disco inspired remix for “Just A Dream”.
A nice mellow dance twist of a Donna De Lory classic track: Just a Dream (Bright Light Bright Light Remix)
Jonny - Sanctuary is a brilliant Sanskrit album. I’ve played this to relax, during client massages and yoga practice. How did the yoga community receive this album?
Donna - They loved it. I am so grateful to know that the bliss I was feeling when I made this album, is filling people’s hearts too. I was pregnant with my 2nd daughter Luciana so the magical place I was in really helped to inspire the music.
This needs to go onto everyone's Flow Yoga Playlist & feel the heat: OM Namah Shivaya Ecstatic World Beat Remix
Jonny - Recreating the song Rain with Niki Haris made us miss the trio more. What inspired you both to remake this song?
Donna - I read comments that fans had made when a video of us singing “Rain” from Madonna’s tour was posted. I went to Niki and said “Let’s do our own version of this song.
Jonny - As much as I love the cover of Rain, I think it's important to also include this beautiful track Two Friends. It sums up the relationship between you and Niki Haris and the many years and experiences you had together. This track also gets me thinking about some personal friendships.
Jonny - Your single Heaven (Atom Smith Remix) is very uplifting, and the message is much needed right now. The video features another Blond Ambition team member Kevin Stea, turned silver fox. 30 years on and it’s lovely to see you both work on something again. How did that come to be and did you feel nostalgic with Kevin?
Donna - I asked Kevin to come to work with the young dancers and it was natural to ask him to be in the video. We had so much fun and I am honoured to have his contribution to my musical vision. I love his spirit and look forward to more collaborations in the future as well.
Heaven (Atom Smith Remix)
Jonny - After many years you returned to work with Belinda Carlisle again who features on your new single Sat Siri. After being her support singer back in the 1980s, what inspired you to include Belinda on this track? I’m loving the remix!
Donna - My brother met Belinda when he was her waiter at a restaurant in West Hollywood. He told her that he was my brother and she said, “Oh, I love Donna’s music, please give me her number". I had been working on my song Sat Siri, and knew that she practiced Kundalini yoga and it would be amazing to have her sing on a version of it. She loved the idea and this brought us back together. She was so gracious to be a part of the video as well to raise funds for Yoga Gives Back, a charity that I have been working with for a couple of years. We decided that we will keep doing collaborations on songs to benefit others.
Sat Siri (Binary Mix Edit) A euphoric spin on Sanskrit that will uplift the mood!
Self-Care
Jonny - How are you been keeping your mind and body healthy these days with everything that is going on? Are you still practicing yoga?
Donna - Yoga always. Good nutrition including fresh vegetables from our garden, exercise in nature and positive thinking. We also just got a puppy so I get to be more playful and laugh a lot!
Jonny - Any spiritual practices that help you remain mindful that Your Scene readers may find useful?
Donna -
Getting up every day and being so grateful.
Connecting with nature and feeling one with all life, all beings.
Practicing mindfulness, selfless giving, and forgiveness.
My music is a deep practice for me that helps me to tune into the one light and truth that connects us, as well as yoga, meditation and reading the writings of spiritual teachers such as Thich Nhat Hanh and the Dalai Lama.
Jonny - Thank you, Donna, for agreeing to this interview. It has been lovely going back over your body of work. It has been a rabbit hole of relaxation! The thing that stands out to me the most is that for someone who has been part of such iconic moments in pop history, your ego is not large. It’s refreshing!
Donna - Thank you for your support over the years!! It is more important than ever for us to come together and collaborate.
Here is an uplifting song and video that I asked my supporters to contribute to. It brings tears to my eyes when I watch it. It reminds me how the power of music can bring us all together with all of our beautiful colors and encourages me to keep creating and listening to the voice of my own souls calling.
A reminder from Donna and Niki for us all, is to be 'Kinder' (no autotune required here). I would like readers to inhale this song and feel it.
Donna and Niki have been performing in a few cities in the USA this year (2024) and you can keep up to speed with their shows and projects on their social media pages. One of the stand out moments for me, a reimaging that actually gave me goosebumps while listening to it, here is the live cover version Nothing Really Matters by Madonna.
Time to sign off now and remind you all that this is Family Affair and we're a family that plays together and will stay together!
You can stay up to date with Donna De Lorys work here: https://www.donnadelory.com
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