All Photos: Alan Mercer
Madleen Kane was born in Malmo, Sweden. Because of her striking beauty, at the age of 14 she became a model in Europe. At 15 she won the biggest Beauty Pageant in Sweden, The Dream Girl. She took off as an international model, modeling for agencies in New York, Japan and Paris.
Madleen was discovered by J.C. Friederich, owner of Boona Music productions. She became a popular singer working in 1978 with her album ‘Rough Diamond,’ which became popular not only in the U.S., but across the globe. In the span of a few months she rose to the top of the disco music charts in Europe selling millions of copies. After she released ‘Cheri' in 1979, her singing career took off. Madleen's debut album ‘Rough Diamond’ was originally released in France by CBS and soon after by Warner Bros. in North America. It became a hit on the Billboard Dance Chart. For this album, she recorded a disco version of ‘C'est Si Bon.’ Paris-based production team Michaele, Lana & Paul Sébastian produced the album.
‘Cheri’ was Madleen's 2nd CBS Disques S.A. / Warner Bros. release, which featured ‘Forbidden Love,’ a dramatic "pop-opus" arranged by Thor Baldursson. The A-side suite of ‘Forbidden Love’, the title track, its breakdown ‘Fire In My Heart’ and ‘Secret Love Affair’ gave her another club hit, which ran for over 15 minutes. Jim Burgess remixed it for a single, which was edited to just over eight minutes. The ballad ‘You and I,’ has become a wedding day favorite in Canada.
She promoted her albums around the globe through several television appearances. While performing in Italy she was presented by Julio Iglesias in a Roman arena with over 40,000 spectators. She became the queen of disco, and along with Donna Summer, toured Japan to promote her second album entitled ‘Cheri.’ She went to the US to promote her album in ten different states performing at the famous Studio 54 in New York among many other venues. She did the ‘Marvin Griffin Show,’ ‘Good Morning America,’ ‘Solid Gold’, ‘Dance Fever’ and many newspaper, magazine and radio interviews.
At the beginning of the 1980s, Madleen moved to Chalet Records, part of Prelude Records, and released her third album, ‘Sounds Of Love.’ It featured ‘Cherchez Pas,’ which was more "electronic" as opposed to her usual symphonic disco songs, and peak #18 in Sweden. Madleen later worked with producers Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte. Nevertheless, Giorgio Moroder appeared with his mixes in 1981 with ‘Don't Wanna Lose You’ and helped her album sales in clubs. ‘You Can,’ the Flashdance-esque lead single from those sessions spent three weeks on top of the Billboard Dance charts. The album ‘Don't Wanna Lose You’ followed. This was again released on Chalet Records, which was owned by her then-husband Jean-Claude Friederich and distributed by dance promoter Tom Hayden and his TSR Record Company, which was to be Madleen's next record label. Other big hits: ‘Playing For Time,’ ‘You Can,’ ‘Fire in My Heart.’
London's Ian Anthony Stephens and Megatone recording artist Paul Parker teamed up to provide Madleen with ‘I'm No Angel,’ a Billboard Dance Hit from her 1985 album, ‘Cover Girl.’ Madleen, tired of recording, faded away after this album.
A collection of her hits, ‘12 Inches And More’ is her latest release. In January 2010, Madleen's first two albums were reissued on the MP3 via Amazon.com.
Madleen speaks four languages fluently. From a young age she was an artist, she painted and wrote romantic short stories. Clothes are her passion, designing her own dresses and blouses. She was the most photographed woman in the world during the 1970s and 80s with many photos including her own clothing designs. She has been on the cover of all major magazines in Europe and on the cover of Playboy magazine twice. Even Carlo Ponti offered her a leading role in a film at the time, but she was too busy recording and promoting her music. She is well known all over Europe, Japan, the Middle East and Russia. She now resides in Santa Monica, California.
AM: Madleen, you are an international star who left the limelight in 1985 and now you have returned. Is this correct and what are your goals this time around?
MK: Yes, I want to give back to my fans for all those years they have been asking about me. Now finally I can do it.
AM: Does it surprise you that people are so eager to see you again?
MK: Yes, I’m very amazed!
AM: You seem so humble.
MK: Yes, I am a very humble person. I always treat people with respect. I understand people.
AM: You seem like a deeper kind of person.
MK: I’m not shallow at all.
AM: I bet that surprises people who think you will be shallow.
MK: Especially when I was in my twenties. I’ve never been shallow. I’ve always had a very good connection with journalists and reporters. I have always believed that they are there to help you and you should help them. You are working together. I’ve never been late for an appointment.
AM: I love that.
MK: I respect people too much. Why would I want to arrive two hours late and not be ready? I’m extremely professional.
AM: That takes you further than anything I believe. Are you looking for new songs to record?
MK: Yes, I have some people working for me and we are looking.
AM: Have you found anything that you are in love with yet?
MK: Not that I’m totally crazy about yet. Right now I like ballads. I like love songs. I’m very romantic.
AM: I think you will find new success with love songs and ballads even though people love your dance music.
MK: I will always do dance music too.
AM: That’s what I love about all your albums. After the dance music there was always at least one hauntingly beautiful love song.
MK: I was always collaborating with the writers from the very beginning.
AM: Did you stay in the studio while the songs were being mixed?
MK: Oh yes, it’s so important to mix the instruments with the voice and put it all together.
AM: Your producers didn’t mind you in the studio with opinions?
MK: No, my father was a tenor who sang opera in Sweden so there was always music in our home.
AM: I heard your father was a singer.
MK: Yes, he was an actor also in theater.
AM: So you grew up in that artistic atmosphere.
MK: I’ve been in the music world since I was six years old.
AM: Do you have any siblings?
MK: Yes I have two younger sisters.
AM: So you are the first born!
MK: My daddy is so proud of me. I’m the only one who understands the business. I’m the one who followed in his footsteps. My mother was a model. She was a beautiful woman who left this earth way too soon.
AM: I’m sorry. When did you lose her?
MK: We lost her ten years ago and she was only 66 years old.
AM: How do you deal with this loss?
MK: It’s still hard today. I skype with my sister once a week and we backtrack and remember our childhood. We talk about our Mom and the things we were doing.
AM: I know your three children are grown now but were you a hands on Mom when they lived at home?
MK: Yes I was always there to take them to soccer practice or tennis or golf.
AM: That’s the reason you stopped performing and recording isn’t it?
MK: Yes, one of the reasons. I wanted to give my full attention to them and be able to raise my children. I wanted a real family. I didn’t want to be on the road all the time. I wasn’t brought up like that.
AM: I know you have an autobiography in the works. When did you start writing it?
MK: I started writing it two years ago. This was always on my mind.
AM: Did you find writing about your life therapeutic?
MK: Yes I did. Very much so. You will see why when you get to read it. This book will also be very helpful to others. This book is very compelling and a real page turner. It’s not boring at all.
AM: How have you handled all the male attention you have received over the years?
MK: I was always graceful about it. I would just say I’m sorry but I’m not interested. (laughter)
AM: Did it get boring for you after a while?
MK: Yes it does get boring.
AM: Were you able to spot them right away?
MK: Yes, I’ve always been good at reading peoples’ intentions.
AM: The book is finished and ready for publication isn’t it?
MK: Yes, we only have a few things that need adjusting.
AM: Is there anything else you want to do now?
MK: I really got a taste to perform when I was recently in Miami. Even though I hadn’t been on stage for many years, it felt like it had been yesterday. This is how it felt inside me. It didn’t feel like I had been gone for such a long time. Right away I knew this is where I belong.
To learn more about Madleen Kane visit her web site http://www.madleenkane.com/