Post by Portland Road on Jan 29, 2024 7:54:49 GMT
I am sad to relate the death of the north-American folk-pop singer Melanie (Safka).
She was very much part of the musical overlap between the 1960s and 1970s, yet never quite as famous or acclaimed as many of her contemporaries.
Alongside e.g. Judy Collins, Joni Mitchell or Joan Baez, Melanie was sort of coincidental, e.g., getting opportunities when others greater might not take them, and recording for independent labels after Clive Davis ended an early contract with Columbia.
She was acqainted with the organisers of the Woodstock festival (1969) and invited to perform low-down on the roster. When the Incredible String Band pulled-out of a prime spot due to heavy rain, she stepped-in and did an acclaimed set.
Inspired by her Woodstock experience, she wrote her memorable USA chart hit 'Candles In the Rain', and is credited as influencing the practice of holding candles, lighters and subsequently mobile phones aloft, during anthemic songs in concert enchores.
She appeared at Isle Of Wight 1970 and Glastonbury Fayre (1971) the forerunner of the current Glastonbury festival.
When the 70s music scene was established, the late-60s innocence did not really go with it, and Melanie like e.g., Donovan and Bobbie Gentry took a lower profile, though she was still remembered and continued working until her death.
Memorable later appearances included an acclaimed performance at the Royal Albert Hall in 2007 as part of the Meltdown festival, and on Jools Hollands Hootenanny in 2019.
R.I.P. Melanie.
She was very much part of the musical overlap between the 1960s and 1970s, yet never quite as famous or acclaimed as many of her contemporaries.
Alongside e.g. Judy Collins, Joni Mitchell or Joan Baez, Melanie was sort of coincidental, e.g., getting opportunities when others greater might not take them, and recording for independent labels after Clive Davis ended an early contract with Columbia.
She was acqainted with the organisers of the Woodstock festival (1969) and invited to perform low-down on the roster. When the Incredible String Band pulled-out of a prime spot due to heavy rain, she stepped-in and did an acclaimed set.
Inspired by her Woodstock experience, she wrote her memorable USA chart hit 'Candles In the Rain', and is credited as influencing the practice of holding candles, lighters and subsequently mobile phones aloft, during anthemic songs in concert enchores.
She appeared at Isle Of Wight 1970 and Glastonbury Fayre (1971) the forerunner of the current Glastonbury festival.
When the 70s music scene was established, the late-60s innocence did not really go with it, and Melanie like e.g., Donovan and Bobbie Gentry took a lower profile, though she was still remembered and continued working until her death.
Memorable later appearances included an acclaimed performance at the Royal Albert Hall in 2007 as part of the Meltdown festival, and on Jools Hollands Hootenanny in 2019.
R.I.P. Melanie.
