 |
SafkaAmerican singer, guitarist, songwriter
Date of Birth: 03.02.1947
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Biography of Melanie Safka
- Rise to Fame
- Woodstock and Commercial Success
- Independent Career and Family
- Comebacks and Later Years
- Current Life
Biography of Melanie Safka
Early Life and Musical BeginningsMelanie Anne Safka-Schekeryk, better known as Melanie, was born in Queens, New York in 1947. Growing up in a musical household, Melanie's mother was a jazz singer, and she herself showed an interest in performing from a young age. At just 4 years old, Melanie made her first radio appearance and recorded her first song, "Gimme a Little Kiss," at the age of 5. She later taught herself how to play the guitar and began writing her own music.
Rise to Fame
While attending the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Melanie performed in clubs and actively pursued opportunities in theater. In 1967, she signed her first major contract with Columbia Records. However, her initial releases, including the single "Beautiful People," did not achieve commercial success, and the contract was soon terminated.
Woodstock and Commercial Success
In 1969, Melanie met producer Peter Schekeryk, who helped her secure a record deal with Buddah Records. This coincided with the height of the hippie movement, and Melanie's image and music resonated with the counterculture. She performed at the iconic Woodstock Festival that year, during which she sang "Beautiful People" as the audience held up candles in the rain. This moment inspired her to write "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)," which became her first commercial success, reaching the 6th position on the Billboard chart. Her album "Candles In The Rain" also reached the Top 20.
Independent Career and Family
After parting ways with Buddah Records, Melanie and Peter established their own label called Neighborhood Records. Their first release, "Brand New Key," became a national sensation and sold millions of copies. The subsequent album, "Gather Me," also reached the Top 20. However, Melanie's later albums, such as "Stoneground Words" and "Melanie At Carnegie Hall," did not fare as well commercially. Despite her declining popularity, Melanie continued to collaborate with record labels in the late 1970s and 1980s.
Comebacks and Later Years
In 1982, Melanie released the album "Arabesque," which found success in the UK, leading to concert tours primarily in England. She made a second comeback in the late 1980s, celebrating her 25-year career with the release of the double live album "Silver Anniversary." Melanie continued to make occasional appearances in the 1990s and even the 2000s, despite her advancing age.
Current Life
Today, Melanie resides in Nashville, Tennessee. Her three children with Peter Schekeryk, Leilah, Jeordie, and Beau-Jarred, have also pursued careers in music. In 2007, Melanie performed to a sold-out crowd at the Meltdown Festival, and a DVD of the concert, titled "Melanie: For One Night Only," was released shortly after.
