Just call her Melanie! Melanie Safka DIY Writer #61

Melanie is not just a singer and a songwriter; she is a big part of American Music History. If you haven’t heard of her, that’s not an accident, the corporate record labels have done their best to hide and downplay her incredible career. Why? Because she was the first female singer to create her own record label. The corporate big wigs have done their best to erase her accomplishments, but guess what, they have failed miserably. You see, you can’t keep a spirit like Melanie’s under a cover, you can’t hide her, and you certainly cannot ignore her. Listen to her story as she tells you snips from history which leads up to her first online streaming concert coming up on January 30th, 2021. If you want a sampling of her music, go to her YouTube channel link below.

https://www.melaniesafka.com/

https://www.facebook.com/events/340082417061967/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRk3uJG-FRzn-sasozxx0kA

Here is a link to Miley Cyrus and Melanie singing one of Melanie’s songs “Look what they’ve done to my song Ma” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LL4BHMSreF8

Melanie landed in the New York City music and radio scene in the late 1960’s. Her first single Beautiful People immediately became a turntable hit. Her first tour began with an impressive 40-day run of shows at Paris’ world-famous L’Olympia Theater at the personal invitation of Bruno Coquatrix. In the years to come she would entertain millions: at An Aquarian Exposition (the 1969 Woodstock Music Festival), at Carnegie Hall, and the Isle of Wight and Glastonbury music festivals, The Sydney Opera House, the South Korean DMZ, the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, the Royal Albert Hall, and many, many more theaters, halls and beloved music clubs around the globe. Melanie launched Neighborhood Records, making her the first American woman to open a mainstream record label. She recorded over 20 chart hits and many have been re-recorded. Melanie received an Emmy after composing lyrics for the theme song of the hit television series Beauty and the Beast. “What Have They Done to My Song Ma” was re-recorded by Ray Charles with the Count Basie Band. Nina Simone delivered a remarkable rendition, as well. “(Lay Down) Candles in the Rain” was re-recorded by Mott the Hoople on their 1971 album Wildlife. Meredith Brooks and Queen Latifah later re-recorded the anthem. “Some Say (I Got Devil)" was re-recorded by Smith’s frontman Morrissey. These are only a few of the many performers who have re-recorded Melanie’s works. Melanie has always known her calling in life was to entertain. Audiences have welcomed her to the stage for more than fifty years, and she continues to perform today.