In Memoriam
Melanie (Safka)
February 3, 1947 – January 23, 2024 · aged 76
Folk · Pop
Melanie Anne Safka-Schekeryk, known simply as Melanie, was one of the most distinctive and enchanting voices of the Woodstock generation. Born in Queens, New York, in 1947, she was a virtually unknown 22-year-old folk singer when she took the stage at the legendary 1969 Woodstock festival, performing while thousands of fans held up lit candles in the rain. That profound experience inspired her breakout gospel-folk anthem 'Lay Down (Candles in the Rain).' With a voice that could shift effortlessly from a sweet, girlish trill to a powerful, raspy wail, she scored her biggest commercial success in 1971 with the quirky, infectious number-one hit 'Brand New Key.' Unlike many of her contemporaries, she achieved massive pop success while fiercely maintaining her quirky, authentic folk spirit, becoming a deeply beloved icon of the era's peace movement. She passed away on January 23, 2024, at the age of 76.
Milestones
Brand New Key, Lay Down (Candles in the Rain), Look What They've Done to My Song Ma
Also remembered in 2024
- David Sanborn (1945–2024)
- Steve Albini (1962–2024)
- Toby Keith (1961–2024)
- Wayne Kramer (1948–2024)