Madonna 'most played' artist of decade

Madonna was the most played artist of the last decade in the UK, according to music licensing body PPL.

The singer, 51, who had her first UK hit with Holiday in 1984, beat The Beatles into second place and Robbie Williams into third.

Queen were fourth and Take That were fifth in the chart compiled for BBC Radio 2.

It was based on plays - between 2000 and 2009 - on TV, radio and in public places including pubs, clubs and shops.

PPL collects royalties for sound recordings.

Madonna was the only female solo singer to make the top 10.

Girl band Sugababes, meanwhile, who entered the UK charts for the first time in 2000 with Overload, were the only act in the top 10 who emerged within the decade being scrutinised.

The chart was revealed on Radio 2 show People's Artist Chart, presented by comedian Patrick Kielty.

In December, PPL announced that Snow Patrol song Chasing Cars was the most widely-played song of the decade.

Last year, another chart compiled for Radio 2 - also by PPL - found that Procol Harum's A Whiter Shade of Pale was the most played song in public places in the previous 75 years.

The song, which features a distinctive organ riff, stayed at number one for six weeks in the UK in the summer of 1967.

Madonna Tickets are available online on GigSport.com

Madonna Candy Shop

Madonna Sticky & Sweet Hard Candy Tour, which received a big popularity in history for a solo artist, will get on another series at O2 Arena in London on 4 July.


Madonna Sticky & Sweet Trailor...

Tickets are going to be on sale from this saturday... Click here to get your Madonna tickets now!!!

In The Press: Tickets for Madonna gig on sale in UK

The tickets have gone on sale for Madonna's 27-date world tour which kicks off in Cardiff in August. A tickets agency in the city said there had been a queue of people waiting for their doors to open at 0900 BST. The head of marketing at the Millennium Stadium said they were "delighted" Madonna was starting her tour there. "As she's starting her world tour here, it's placing a tremendous focus on Cardiff," Gwyn Dolphin from the stadium said. "This is the second time Madonna has performed here, it shows it's a good venue and a good location." He expected the concert to be a sell out with around 50,000 attending and Mr Dolphin said having the choice to open or close the roof gave them added flexibility. Madonna's only other UK date for the Sticky & Sweet Tour is in Wembley, London. Tim Rich managing director from Ticketline UK said: "There sales have been very brisk with people coming through the doors and calling on the phone. "It's great for Cardiff and south Wales that Madonna's bringing her visual and audio extravaganza here. In 2006 she came to the Millennium Stadium with her Confessions Tour, which was I think the highest grossing tour for a female at the time," he added. He said there was a limit of six tickets per person - with prices ranging from £55 to £150. The star celebrates her 50th birthday on 16 August, days only before the concert in Cardiff on 23 August. The tour will stop in major cities across Europe including London and Paris, as well as cities in the US. From BBC News.