Originally to be called the " Like a Prayer World Tour " , Sire Records announced the Blond Ambition World Tour in November 1989 , following the success of Madonna 's fourth studio album , '' Like a Prayer '' , and Madonna 's performance of " Express Yourself " at the 1989 MTV Video Music Awards – considered as a tour preview . Initially , the tour was only to reach Japan and North America , as Madonna was considering roles in several films . By the end of 1989 plans were announced to bring the tour to Europe as well because of popularity and fan demand . In December 1989 , when preparations for the tour began , Madonna herself announced during a pre-recorded interview on German TV channel ZDF , that she would tour Germany during 1990 . In April 1990 , additional dates in Europe were added . Stage preparations and dress rehearsals took place at the Disney Studios , Burbank , California , before the tour kicked off in Japan . Patrick Leonard declined to repeat his musical director role from The Virgin Tour : " She showed me the stage design , and the band was , like , down in the pit . So I said , Forget it . " The tour incorporated as central themes , sexuality and Catholicism , a combination which engendered controversy . Catholic associations called for a boycott of the show in Rome , and one of three scheduled Italian dates was eventually canceled . The show has achieved cult status , with elements such as the bullet bra and false ponytail hairpiece becoming cultural icons in their own right
1989 MTV Video Music Awards
1989 MTV Video Music Awards
Blond Ambition World Tour