Madonna: A mother lode of adjectives

In her quarter century as a solo artist in the music business, there have been many incarnations of Madonna. As the 50-year-old pop icon returns to Atlanta tonight for her “Sweet and Sticky” tour, we recall some of the many other adjectives that have applied to Madonna over the years:

> R&B Singer. “Everybody,” the first solo single from the artist born Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone, quickly had many thinking she could give disco queen Donna Summer some breathy competition. (In this early MTV era, some even wondered if she was another race.)

> Club Favorite. Three singles into her 1983 self-titled debut, the hit “Holiday” affirmed that this one-time Alvin Ailey student was no dance-floor fluke. (She reclaimed dancer status again in 1989 with the release of the “Like A Prayer” album, which included hit singles “Vogue” and “Express Yourself.”)

> Fashion Icon. By the time the single “Holiday” was released —- the first of a reported 17 consecutive top 10 hits —- was there a teen girl who did not have on the Madonna headband, wrist full of silver bangles, or black off-the-shoulder top and leggings get-up?

> Movie Star. With yet another single from “Madonna” climbing into the top 5 —- “Lucky Star” —- Hollywood was calling, and she started working on the film “Desperately Seeking Susan.” (The future Golden Globe winner would go on to appear in “Shanghai Surprise” —- sigh, with then-husband Sean Penn —- “Who’s That Girl?,” “A League of Their Own,” “Dick Tracy,” “Evita,” her tour documentary “Truth or Dare,” and others.)

> Pop Star. At the end of 1984, the Niles Rodgers-produced “Like A Virgin” album cemented her ascent. The title track was No. 1 for six weeks. “Desperately Seeking Susan” arrived in theaters and it became a hit as well. She launched her first tour (with the Beastie Boys). And if there was any remaining doubt she’d reached superstardom, both Playboy and Penthouse published nude photos she did in 1977.

> (Soft) Porn Star. (Nice follow-up, huh?) In 1992, she released “Sex,” a steel-bound coffee table book with erotic shots of herself, Naomi Campbell, Isabella Rossellini, Big Daddy Kane and Vanilla Ice. (Eleven years later, she pens a successful children’s book titled “The English Roses.”)

> Incredible Singer. The 1986 single “Live To Tell” may have been the first real indication that this multi-persona also had pipes, but it was the 1994 Babyface ballad “Take A Bow” that beautifully underlined that assertion. And it was her biggest hit to date, spending seven weeks at No. 1.

> Country Singer. See the cover of the 2000 album “Music.”

> Rapper. See the title track of 2003’s abysmal “American Life” CD.

> (Somewhat) Bitter Divorcee. During her tour’s recent stop in Boston, director Guy Ritchie’s soon-to-be ex-wife introduced “Miles Away” with: “This song is for the emotionally retarded. You might know a few people who fall into that category. God knows I do.” But on Friday when their preliminary divorce decree was granted, some reports said that the two had come to terms amicably.

IN CONCERT

Madonna. 8 tonight at Philips Arena, One Philips Drive. Tickets are $57-$352 at Ticketmaster, 404-249-6400 or www. ticketmaster.com