Melanie, the influential singer-songwriter who was one in every of three solo feminine performers on the unique 1969 Woodstock Music and Artwork Honest, died on Tuesday (January 23) on the age of 76. The information was first introduced on social media by her three youngsters, and later confirmed to Pitchfork by way of press launch. “We’re heartbroken, however wish to thank every one in every of you for the love you will have for our Mom,” Melanie’s household wrote. “She was probably the most proficient, sturdy and passionate ladies of the period and each phrase she wrote, each observe she sang mirrored that.” A reason behind dying has not but been revealed, although the press launch said that Melanie had been dwelling with an undisclosed sickness.
Melanie Safka was born within the Astoria neighborhood of Queens, New York, on February 3, 1947. Melanie was uncovered to music at a younger age, as her mom, Polly, was knowledgeable jazz singer; Melanie first carried out when she was solely 4 years outdated, singing on a New York radio present. She went on to check on the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and would head downtown throughout her free time to play on the Greenwich Village espresso homes, dwelling to the flourishing Nineteen Sixties folks scene.
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In 1968, Melanie issued her studio debut, Born to Be. The gathering of predominately unique folks songs included a rendition of Bob Dylan’s oft-covered “Mr. Tambourine Man.” Born to Be solidified Melanie’s fashion; her dynamic voice may bellow and develop, or shrink into scratchy, childlike murmurs. Deviating from the historically easy construction of ’60s folks, Melanie’s sound drew from the high-drama work of édith Piaf, Kurt Weill, and jazz singer Blossom Dearie.
Melanie’s breakout efficiency at Woodstock was a turning level for the artist, who was one in every of solely three ladies to play in entrance of the large crowd unaccompanied. Her efficiency of “Birthday of the Solar” uncovered a wholly new viewers to her belting, acrobatic voice. In 1970, Melanie launched her inaugural Stateside hit, “Lay Down (Candles within the Rain),” from her fourth album, Candles within the Rain. The next 12 months, Melanie and Peter Schekeryk—her late husband, supervisor, and producer—based Neighborhood Information, considered the primary female-owned unbiased label in rock historical past.
Within the ensuing a long time, Melanie recorded at a swift tempo, issuing LPs by 2010 and releasing hits like “What Have They Completed to My Tune Ma,” “Peace Will Come,” and “The Nickel Tune,” in addition to “Model New Key,” which was later featured in Paul Thomas Anderson’s 1997 movie Boogie Nights. All through the years, her music was recorded by the likes of Nina Simone, Ray Charles, Miley Cyrus, and Morrissey.