Madonna talks drugs during speech at Hall of Fame

Mar 11, 2008, 11:35 GMT

US pop singer-songwriter Madonna stands in the press room after being in inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame during a ceremony in New York, New York, USA, on 10 March 2008. Inducted during the ceremony along with Madonna were John Mellencamp, Leonard Cohen, The Dave Clark Five and The Ventures were inducted into the musical institution which is located in Cleveland, Ohio. EPA/PETER FOLEY

Madonna revealed she once took ecstasy, during her acceptance speech at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last night (10.03.08).

The pop superstar made the shock confession as she was inducted at New York's Waldorf-Astoria hotel. She also confessed to smoking marijuana.

After accepting the prestigious accolade from Justin Timberlake, Madonna said: "The night I met Michael Rosenblatt, who signed me to Sire Records, I jammed my demo tape into his hand, we both did a tab of ecstasy and then we danced the night away."

The 'Material Girl' singer spoke of her cannabis experiences when she recalled the night she met long-term publicist Liz Rosenberg, adding: "We smoked a joint together."

In one of the longest speeches in the ceremony's history, Madonna, 49, also thanked the people who had put her down, saying they made her strive to be a better performer.

She said: "The ones that said I was talentless, that I was chubby, that I couldn't sing, that I was a one-hit wonder. They pushed me to be better, and I am grateful for their resistance."

Justin, who has collaborated with Madonna on her upcoming album 'Hard Candy', used the occasion to make a few thinly-veiled comments about ex-girlfriend Britney Spears, who Madonna famously kissed at the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards.

He said: "The world is full of Madonna wannabes. I might have even dated a couple. But there is truly only one Madonna.

"She has still found time to kiss someone I may or may not have publicly kissed myself while I was in the audience.

"Of course, you know I'm talking about Sean Penn!"

'SexyBack' singer Justin also revealed Madonna gave him vitamin injections when they worked together.

He said: "We had a recording session in London and I wasn't feeling well. She said, 'Would you like a B12 shot?' She reached into her handbag, pulled out a bag of B12 syringes and said, 'Drop 'em!'

"I don't know what you say to that, so I dropped my pants. She gave me the shot in my a**. It was one of the greatest days of my life. That is what Madonna will always be to us. The shot in the a** when we really need it!"

Other musicians to be inducted into the Hall of Fame this year included The Dave Clark Five and Leonard Cohen.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame recognises the work of artists 25 years after the release of their first record.

Around 1,000 experts, including journalists, music industry professionals and academics vote on nominees - selected by a committee of music historians - based on their influence and significance on rock and roll music.

Previous inductees include Elvis Presley, The Beatles, James Brown and Led Zeppelin.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2008 performer inductees:

Madonna

Leonard Cohen

John Mellencamp

The Dave Clark Five

The Ventures

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