Melanie, the singer known for her 1970s hits “Brand New Key” and “Lay Down (Candles in the Rain),” passed away on Tuesday. She was 76 years old and will be missed.
On Wednesday, Melanie’s children, Leilah, Jeordie, and Beau Jarred, shared the news of her passing. They don’t know the exact cause, but her representatives mentioned she had been “ill.”
In their statement, they said, “Mom peacefully crossed over from this world to the next on January 23, 2024.” They asked fans to light a candle at 10 p.m. Central time in her memory.
They described Melanie as “one of the smartest, bravest, and most passionate women of her time,” whose presence made the world brighter. They find comfort knowing she is still with them, smiling from the stars.
Melanie Safka, known simply as Melanie, was working on a new album called Second Hand Smoke, which would have been her 32nd record. Her label, Cleopatra, was excited about it.
Melanie performed at Woodstock when she was just 22 years old. In 2019, she told the AP that she was very nervous about performing in front of such a huge crowd. Other famous artists at the festival included Joan Baez, Jimi Hendrix, and the Grateful Dead. Melanie said she felt more anxious as she waited for her turn to perform.
Melanie said she was very scared about performing at Woodstock. She was afraid of being on stage alone in front of so many people. When it started to rain, she thought everyone would leave, and she could go back to her old life, maybe even become an archaeologist or join the Peace Corps. But then they told her, “You’re next.”
Melanie was born in Astoria, New York, on February 3, 1947. While she was trying to become a singer, she also attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. She performed at coffee shops and folk clubs in Greenwich Village. In 1967, she met Peter Schekeryk, who became her manager, producer, and husband.
She released singles like “Beautiful People” and “Garden in the City” with Columbia Records. However, since Clive Davis wouldn’t let her record an album, she moved to Buddah Records, which released her first album. Her performance at Woodstock was a major breakthrough.
Her first big hit in the U.S. was “Lay Down,” followed by “Peace Will Come,” “What Have They Done to My Song Ma,” “The Nickel Song,” and a cover of “Ruby Tuesday” by the Rolling Stones. Billboard named her the best-selling female artist in the U.S. that year.
When Melanie started her own record label, Neighborhood Records, it was the first rock label owned by a woman. Her first release for Neighborhood was the famous song “Brand New Key.” The song got a boost in popularity when it was featured in an HP printer commercial.
Melanie became a UNICEF spokesperson and continued to release albums until her husband Michael passed away in 2010. She still performed live with her children and shared recordings of their home concerts online.
Her new album includes covers of “Ouija Board Ouija Board” by Morrissey and “Hurt” by Nine Inch Nails.
Here’s a message from her children:
Dear Friends,
It’s hard for us to write this because there’s so much we want to say. On January 23, 2024, our mom passed away peacefully.
We are deeply sad, but we want to thank everyone for loving her. She died with love for all of you. Her music and words showed she was one of the smartest, strongest, and most passionate women of her time.
Her absence has made our world seem darker, and Tennessee’s gray days feel even duller. But we believe she’s still here, watching over us from the stars.
Tonight, January 24th, at 10 p.m. central time, please light a candle in her honor. Let’s remember the incredible woman she was—a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend to many.
We’re planning a Celebration of Life for her, and we’ll share the details soon. We hope you can join us.
For now, please give her family some space to grieve and remember her.
Thank you for all your love.
Peace and Love,
Jean, Leilah, and Beau Jarred
