MELANIE SAFKA - 3/02/1947 - 23/01/2024

Melanie Anne Safka-Schekeryk (February 3, 1947 – January 23, 2024), professionally known as 

                          "Melanie, or Melanie Safka, was an American singer-songwriter. She is best known for the 1971–72 global hit "Brand New Key", plus her 1970 version of "Ruby Tuesday", which was originally written and recorded by the Rolling Stones, her composition "Look What They've Done to My Song Ma", and her 1970 international breakthrough hit "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)" (inspired by her experience of performing at the 1969 Woodstock music festival).

                           No talent who came out of Woodstock and who continued actively performing more than a quarter century later remained as closely associated with the 1960s and "flower power" than Melanie. Born Melanie Safka in Astoria, Queens, in 1947, she made her first public appearance at age four on a radio show, later studying at the New York Academy of Fine Arts."

01. Summer Of Love II    4:35
02. Lay Down (Candles In The Rain)    7:39
03. Ring The Living Bell    5:02
04. What Have They Done To My Song, Ma?    4:03
05. Brand New Key    2:24
06. Love To Lose Again    4:34
07. Lover's Cross    4:24
08. Ruby Tuesday    4:34
09. The Nickel Song    3:44
10. Bobo's Party    3:51
11. The Good Book    2:30
12. Christopher Robin    2:36
13. Animal Crackers    2:14
14. Psychotherapy (Live)    5:12
15. Beautiful People    3:35
16. Together Alone    4:45
17. Leftover Wine    6:14
18. Peace Will Come (According To Plan)    3:19
19. I Will Get Over    3:37

KOSTAS over at Urbanaspirines has written and posted a fine tribute. We will miss her 

Melanie - Obit bio and Greatest Hits here

 

No information on the cause of death was immediately given. But Melanie — full name Melanie Safka — had been in the studio earlier this month working on a new record of cover songs, “Second Hand Smoke,” for the Cleopatra label; it would have been her 32nd album, the label said.

Her three children, Leilah, Jeordie, and Beau Jarred, posted a message on Facebook, writing: “We are heartbroken, but want to thank each and every one of you for the affection you have for our Mother, and to tell you that she loved all of you so much! She was one of the most talented, strong and passionate women of the era and every word she wrote, every note she sang reflected that. Our world is much dimmer, the colors of a dreary, rainy Tennessee pale with her absence today, but we know that she is still here, smiling down on all of us, on all of you, from the stars.” Variety Mag

She was a mother a grandmother and great grandmother they told us

 

Melanie