How Madonna's Blond Ambition Tour Changed Pop Concerts Forever

billboard.com:

"I know that I'm not the best singer and I know that I'm not the best dancer. But, I can f---ing push people's buttons and be as provocative as I want.

This tour's goal is to break useless taboos." There was only one all-singing, all-dancing chart-topper who could get away with such a bold declaration at the turn of the '90s, and it wasn't Paula Abdul.

From the moment that she writhed around suggestively in a wedding dress at the 1984 MTV VMAs, Madonna became the live act that you couldn't -- and didn't want to -- take your eyes off.

Singing in front of a traditional guitar-bass-drums trio was never going to cut it for the woman seemingly hellbent on shocking middle America.