Death is an unavoidable facet of existence that we, as human beings, must come to accept. The passing of a cherished entertainer can elicit a sense of grief, even from those who were not personally acquainted with them.
Today, we grieve the departure of Melanie, a folk singer who captured the hearts of many, particularly through her performance at Woodstock in 1969. Melanie Safka, as she was fully named, has departed from us at the age of 76, with the news of her passing relayed by her PR agency, Glass Onyon PR. She remained actively engaged in the music scene until just a month ago, and the cause of her demise has not been disclosed.
Among Melanie’s most recognized songs is “Brand New Key,” yet her musical journey extends far beyond that. She was actively working on her latest project, “Second Hand Smoke,” scheduled for release by Cleopatra Label. This album would have marked her 32nd musical endeavor.
Melanie is survived by her three children—Leilah, Jeordie, and Beau Jarred—who expressed their sorrow on Facebook. In their post, they acknowledged the outpouring of love for their mother, portraying her as one of the most talented, resilient, and passionate women of her time. Despite the world feeling dimmer without her, they believe she is still present, smiling down on everyone from the stars.
To commemorate Melanie’s memory, her family has invited fans to light a candle on January 24th at 10 p.m. Central Time. This gesture aims to dispel the darkness and bring everyone together in remembrance of the extraordinary woman who played the roles of wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend.
Melanie’s musical journey commenced with hits like “Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)” and reached new heights with the chart-topping “Brand New Key.” Despite her success, she wasn’t as widely recognized as some of her contemporaries. In a 2021 interview, she expressed mixed feelings about the song, describing it as the “bane of her existence” for a few years.
Reflecting on her Woodstock experience in 1969, she recounted having her first out-of-body experience, feeling both terrified and transcendent. Her performance occurred amidst a rainstorm, and the audience was encouraged to light candles to fend off the rain. Melanie reminisced about witnessing the hillside aglow with flickering lights, a memory that brought her back to her body.
While her fame may not have rivaled that of some peers, Melanie’s music garnered renewed interest when Miley Cyrus covered her song “Look What They’ve Done To My Song, Ma,” with Melanie herself present by her side.