January 26, 2024 – Melanie

Earlier this week, Melanie passed away at the age of 76. While in college in New York City, she started singing in the folk clubs of Greenwich Village and signed her first recording contract. She found initial success in Europe in 1969, and later that year would have a breakout moment performing at Woodstock. She was one of only 3 solo female artists to perform, and the experience inspired her first hit, “Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)”. The song was her first hit in America, peaking at number 6 on the Billboard singles chart.
In 1971, Melanie formed her own record label with her husband and producer, Peter. She had her biggest hit on that label in 1972 with “Brand New Key” (also known as “The Roller Skate Song”). It sold more than 3 million copies worldwide.  She was also awarded Billboard‘s No. 1 Top Female Vocalist award that year. She started to retreat from the spotlight in 1973 to focus on beginning a family. She and Peter had 3 children, who are all musicians.
Melanie won an Emmy Award in 1989 for writing the lyrics to “The First Time I Loved Forever”, the theme song for the Beauty and the Beast TV series. With one exception, all of her albums were produced by her husband, who died suddenly in 2010.
In 2012, Melanie collaborated with the artistic and managing director of Blackfriars Theater here in Rochester to create an original musical about her life and her love story with her late husband. Melanie and the Record Man premiered on October 19 that year. Melanie performed in the musical and was also the narrator.
At the time of her death, Melanie was in the process of recording a cover album called Second Hand Smoke. She recorded several songs, including “Hurt” by Nine Inch Nails, “Creep” by Radiohead, and “Nights in White Satin” by the Moody Blues. Learn more here.
 

 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlp3wmE4bbI