Melanie Safka

Melanie Ann Safka-Schekeryk, usually known just as Melanie (born February 3, 1947) is a U.S. singer-songwriter.

Related Topics:
February 3 - 1947

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Born in Astoria, New York City she made her first recording, "Gimme A Little Kiss", at the age of five. The song was sung à la Shirley Temple.

Related Topics:
Astoria, New York City - Shirley Temple

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Europe first recognized her as an extraordinarily talented singer-songwriter. Her song "Bobo's Party" was a #1 hit for several weeks in a row in France in 1969. Later that year she had a hit in the Netherlands with "Beautiful People" (" ... you ride the same subway as I do every morning, that's got to tell you something, we got so much in common ...").

Related Topics:
Europe - Singer-songwriter - France - 1969 - Netherlands

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Melanie performed at Woodstock in 1969. During her performance, for the first time in pop history, candles were lit (and thus began a tradition). Inspired by this experience Melanie wrote "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)" which was a hit all over Europe and the USA. Her biggest hit in the USA was "Brand New Key", also known as "The Roller Skate Song". She has been awarded three gold albums.

Related Topics:
Woodstock - Europe - USA

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Since 1969 Melanie has usually released at least one album every year. With one exception they have all been produced by her husband, Peter Schekeryk. Melanie and Peter have three children who are also musicians - Leilah, Jeordie and Beau Jarred Schekeryk. They also have two grandchildren.

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The 2003 Australian hip-hop track "The Nosebleed Section" by The Hilltop Hoods sampled extensively from Melanie's "People In The Front Row".

Related Topics:
2003 - Australia - Hip-hop - Hilltop Hoods - Sampled

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Beau Jarred is a guitarist who accompanies his mother on tours in Europe and the USA.

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Melanie has a loyal following. It is, as she says on her latest album, Crazy Love: "If you let my voice in, we will have a relationship forever".

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In 2004 Melanie came out with the long awaited CD Paled by Dimmer Light which is a coproduction of Peter and Beau Jarred Schekeryk. The album contains 16 songs that are a combination of inventive music and strong lyrics. Highlights are "To be the one", "Extraordinary", "Make it work", and "I tried to die young".

Related Topics:
2004 - CD

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In 1976 the British Scrumpy and Western group The Wurzels had a number one hit with The Combine Harvester - which used the tune of Melanie's Brand New Key - a love song from the point-of-view of a farmer. The song was remixed in 2000 and reached number 39. Ironically the song is now better-known in the Great Britain than Melanie's original.

Related Topics:
1976 - Scrumpy and Western - The Wurzels - Number one hit - Combine Harvester - Farmer - Remix - 2000 - Great Britain

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