Melanie, born Melanie Ann Safka-Schekeryk, is a US singer-songwriter from Astoria, New York. She is associated with folk, folk pop, chamber folk, contemporary folk, pop and Persian pop, and records on Neighborhood Records.

Career

Melanie is active from the 1960s and first records at the age of five with “Gimme a Little Kiss”. She first finds chart success in Europe. In 1969, “Bobo’s Party” reaches number one in France, and later that year “Beautiful People” becomes a hit in the Netherlands. She performs at Woodstock, where the audience’s candles and cigarette lighters during her set inspire her to write “Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)”. That song becomes a hit in Europe and the United States and sells more than one million copies.

Her biggest US hit is “Brand New Key”, also known as “The Roller Skate Song”, which tops the charts in 1971. Three of her compositions become hits for The New Seekers: “Look What They’ve Done to My Song Ma”, “Beautiful People” and “The Nickel Song”.

Recognition and performances

Melanie is awarded three gold albums and is named female vocalist of the year by Billboard, Cashbox, Melody Maker, Record World and Bravo. UNICEF makes her a spokesperson. She also wins an Emmy.

She appears at major venues including the Royal Albert Hall, Carnegie Hall, the Metropolitan Opera House, the New Metropolitan Opera House in New York, the Sydney Opera House and the General Assembly of the United Nations. She is invited to perform at the United Nations on multiple occasions and receives standing ovations from delegates. She also appears on television with Ed Sullivan, Johnny Carson and Dick Cavett.

Later work and family

With the exception of one album, her records are produced by her husband, Peter Schekeryk. She and Peter have three children: Leilah, Jeordie and Beau-Jarred, who are also musicians. Beau-Jarred is a guitarist and performs with her. In 2004 she releases Paled by Dimmer Light, co-produced by Peter and Beau-Jarred Schekeryk. In 2010 she releases Ever Since You Never Heard Of Me, co-produced by Peter Schekeryj and Beau-Jarred Schekeryk.

Her songs are covered by artists including Cher, Dolly Parton and Macy Gray. She also opens a restaurant and writes a musical about Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane.