Madonna Tribe had the chance to meet another great artist who got to meet Madonna in her rising years.
George DuBose is the photographer who documented Madonna's first gig ever at Uncle Sam's Blues, a club in Long Island, at the time when Camille Barbone was her manager and in this exclusive interview he has to share with our readers some interesting stories about the young and rough artist that would have soon conquered the world.

Mr DuBose, who like Maripol had the chance to experience that unique New York's downtown scene of the Eighties when you could have the chance to have Andy Warhol as a friend, will also be discussing with us those amazing times.

We are also happy we can show you, with the author's permission, George DuBose's exclusive images of Madonna from those nights.

MadonnaTribe: Hi George, welcome to MadonnaTribe.
For many years you have documented with your photos the emerging culture in New York City, being a part of one of the most exciting periods in American culture.
What do you remember from those years when your friends were Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat?

George DuBose: I worked for Interview Magazine and also developed Andy's 35mm films from his nocturnal activities. Andy once taught me a very important lesson about keeping deadlines.
He also "stole" many concepts from his assistants, which taught me that it is OK to steal... Indeed, I have stolen tricks and techniques from other artists myself, but I prefer to credit those who I have "borrowed" from.
Basquiat and I didn't have a connection, he was always too stoned. I had a better relationship with Basquiat's father, Gerard.

MT: As you say you have been staff photographer for the original Interview magazine run by Andy Warhol in 70's.
Interview used to be a very large format and arty magazine. Which is the photoshoot you did for that magazine that you are most fond of?

GDB: My favorite photo shoot commissioned by Interview?
One was my shot of Dieter Meier of Yello and the second was my photo shoot of Man Parrish, Manny's photo shoot was probably the only portrait shoot that captured him solo during his first LP era.

MT: In the early 80's you were contacted by Camille Barbone of Empire Management to shoot some photos of one of her new artists: Madonna. At the time Madonna had a group called The Breakfast Club, but Camille told you to take photographs only of her.
Did that sound strange to you?

GDB: It sounded really strange. Only later when Madonna went solo did I understand what Camille had in mind. The Breakfast Club was not Madonna's band, rather she was the vocalist.

MT: How did Camille want to use those images?

GDB: I think she only needed the shots for publicity, but after she threw me out of the dressing room for talking to Madonna in a professional way, Camille never contacted me again and never paid for or used those photos.

MT: Was that Madonna's first gig ever?

GDB: As far as I know. I continued to document Madonna's subsequent performance (now with dance tracks and dancers, no band) at Danceteria, The Roxy and a club in Boston, where I recommended Madonna to the Boston promoters.

MT: That night Madonna was performing at Uncle Sam's Blues, a club in Roslyn, Long Island. What do you remember of her on stage performance? Was she already a consumate performer or was she somehow shy?

GDB: Madonna made several costume changes and some of the outfits were a little risqué, she seemed a little nervous during the first set and when I went back to her dressing room, introduced myself and gave her some encouraging words, Camille heard a bit of the conversation and got pissed at me for speaking to Madonna regarding her performance.

MT: How was the performance in terms of production, costumes and type of music?

GDB: All I remember was that she made a unique presentation. She was something new and exciting. She was and is a passionate artist, this came across during this debut.

MT: Going back to your brief meeting with Madonna in her dressing room, legend tells that, in a move to be supportive, you left her a note with suggestions and feedback regarding her performance, but apparently Camille didn't like that effort.