Melanie Safka
Melanie Anne Safka, known professionally as Melanie, was an influential American singer-songwriter born on February 3, 1947, in Queens, New York City. She passed away on January 23, 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee. Melanie was celebrated for her contributions to the folk, pop, and country music genres, with her career spanning from the 1960s to 2024. She gained international fame with hits such as "Brand New Key," her rendition of the Rolling Stones' "Ruby Tuesday," and "What Have They Done to My Song Ma." Her song "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)" was inspired by her performance at the iconic 1969 Woodstock music festival.
Melanie's early life was rooted in a musically inclined family; her mother, Pauline "Polly" Altomare, was a jazz singer, and her father, Frederick M. Safka, had Russian-Ukrainian ancestry. Melanie's first public performance occurred at age four on the radio show Live Like A Millionaire. She grew up in Long Branch, New Jersey, and after a brief stint in California, she graduated from Red Bank High School in 1966.
Her music career began in the folk clubs of Greenwich Village, leading to a recording contract with Columbia Records. She later signed with Buddah Records, achieving her first chart success in Europe with "Bobo's Party." Melanie's breakthrough came with her Woodstock-inspired hit "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)," which became a top 10 hit in the United States and achieved global success. Her unique voice and non-conformist style earned her critical acclaim and a dedicated following.
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