Melanie Safka

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Melanie (2005)

Melanie Anne Safka-Schekeryk (* 3. February 1947 in Astoria , New York as Melanie Anne Safka ) is an American singer and songwriter . Became known Melanie as a young singer under the stage name Melanie particularly by their performance at Woodstock Festival 1969th

Life

Melanie Safka is the daughter of a Russian-Ukrainian father and the Italian blues and jazz singer Polly Safka-Bertolo (1926–2003), who was born in Queens in New York . At the age of five, she made her first recording with Gimme a Little Kiss , a song she performed in the manner of Shirley Temple .

Melanie started playing the ukulele when she was six. She originally wanted to be an actress. When she was supposed to audition for a theater role in 1967, she was allegedly wrong in the address, got into the office of the New York manager and record producer Peter Schekeryk with her guitar and was finally signed, managed and married by him.

In Europe they recognized her talent earlier than in the United States . Her song Bobo's Party in 1969 topped the French charts for several weeks in a row. In the same year she had a hit with Beautiful People in the Netherlands and performed at the Woodstock Festival, where she took the place of the Incredible String Band that refused to perform in the rain.

The then 22-year-old Melanie said she was apparently the only one in Woodstock who was not under the influence of drugs. She knew all the artists from the media, but had never seen any of them up close. That was not the only reason why she appeared with severe stage fright . She played her two songs, Beautiful People and Birthday of the Sun , while the audience moved candles in the dark to the beat of the music that had been distributed earlier. This moment she held later in the song Lay Down (Candles in the Rain) (German: Candles in the Rain ) found it the following year and accompanied by a choir of the Edwin Hawkins Singers managed to No. 6 of the US charts and also in Europe was very successful.

Their biggest hit in their homeland in 1971 was Brand New Key , also known as The Roller Skate Song, which made it to the top of the US charts. It was also very successful in Germany and Great Britain in 1970/71 with the Rolling Stones title Ruby Tuesday from 1967. The world's most successful song by Melanie was What Have They Done to My Song, Ma , which is known in Germany in the original version, but also in the German version by Daliah Lavi : “Who destroyed my song like that, Ma?”. Other successful titles were Peace Will Come , Nickel Song , Ring the Living Bell and the 1973/74 cover version of the Shirelles title Will You Love Me Tomorrow . Melanie was awarded three gold records . In 1972 she received the Silver Bravo Otto from the German youth magazine Bravo in a readers' poll . Melanie was politically active as a UNICEF ambassador.

Melanie, 1975
Melanie in Munich (2009)

Since her appearance in Woodstock, the singer has released an album almost every year, mostly produced by her husband Peter Schekeryk, who died in 2010. She has three children, to whom she devoted herself more after the decline in record sales from 1973, all of whom are also active in the music business: Leilah, Jeordie and Beau Jarred Schekeryk. She lived in Munich for a while and then back in Florida.

A first comeback took place in 1978 with the album Phonogenetic. Not Just Another Pretty Face with jazz rock musicians like Dave Sanborn , Michael Brecker , Randy Brecker , Richard Tee and Will Lee . Her 1985 album Am I Real Or What was more connected to the pop mainstream .

In 2003, the Australian hip-hop group The Hilltop Hoods used a sample from Melanie's People in the Front Row for their song The Nosebleed Section . In the same year her album Paled by Dimmer Light was released , which is a co-production between Peter and Beau Jarred Schekeryk.

Beau Jarred (2005)

She still tours almost every year and is often accompanied by her son Beau Jarred as a guitarist.

Safka-Schekeryk is a member of the Libertarian Party .

Discography

Chart positions
Explanation of the data
Albums
Melanie
  US 196 November 15, 1969 (2 weeks)
Candles in the Rain
  DE 33 03/15/1971 (4 weeks)
  UK 5 09/19/1970 (31 weeks)
  US 17th 05/09/1970 (37 weeks)
Lay Down (with the Edwin Hawkins Singers )
  DE 16 11/15/1970 (32 weeks)
Leftover Wine / Live at Carnegie Hall
  DE 31 January 15, 1971 (8 weeks)
  UK 22nd January 16, 1971 (5 weeks)
  US 33 09/26/1970 (19 weeks)
RPM OST
  US 148 10/31/1970 (6 weeks)
The Good Book
  DE 29 04/15/1971 (20 weeks)
  UK 9 05/29/1971 (9 weeks)
  US 80 02/27/1971 (10 weeks)
Gather Me
  UK 14th 01/08/1972 (13 weeks)
  US 15th 11/13/1972 (27 weeks)
Garden in the City
  UK 19th 04/01/1972 (6 weeks)
  US 115 December 4th, 1971 (12 weeks)
The Four Sides of Melanie
  UK 23 07.10.1972 (2 weeks)
  US 103 04/01/1972 (9 weeks)
Stoneground Words
  US 70 11/11/1972 (20 weeks)
Melanie at Carnegie Hall
  US 109 05/12/1973 (11 weeks)
Madrugada
  US 192 05/11/1974 (4 weeks)
Singles
Lay Down (Candles in the Rain) (with the Edwin Hawkins Singers )
  US 6th 04/25/1970 (17 weeks)
Peace Will Come (According to Plan)
  DE 47 01/11/1971 (1 week)
  US 32 08/22/1970 (7 weeks)
Ruby Tuesday
  DE 6th December 01, 1970 (24 weeks)
  AT 2 January 15, 1971 (12 weeks)
  UK 9 09/26/1970 (15 weeks)
  US 52 05.12.1970 (7 weeks)
What Have They Done to My Song Ma
  UK 39 January 16, 1971 (1 week)
Stop! I Don't Wanna Hear It Anymore
  DE 43 03/15/1971 (1 week)
  AT 15th 04/15/1971 (4 weeks)
The Nickel Song
  DE 43 08/16/1971 (1 week)
  US 35 01/22/1972 (10 weeks)
Brand New Key
  DE 23 January 31, 1972 (10 weeks)
  UK 4th 01/01/1972 (12 weeks)
  US 1Template: Infobox chart placements / maintenance / NR1 link 10/30/1971 (18 weeks)
Ring the Living Bell
  DE 41 05/15/1972 (1 week)
  US 31 01/29/1972 (9 weeks)
Together alone
  US 86 October 21, 1972 (4 weeks)
Bitter bath
  US 36 02/17/1973 (10 weeks)
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?
  UK 37 02/16/1974 (5 weeks)
  US 82 December 15, 1973 (4 weeks)
Every Breath of the Way
  UK 70 09/17/1983 (4 weeks)

Albums

  • 1968 - Born to Be
  • 1969 - Affectionately / Melanie
  • 1970 - Melanie / Candles in the Rain
  • 1970 - Leftover Wine
  • 1970 - RPM - Soundtrack
  • 1971 - All the Right Noises - Soundtrack
  • 1971 - The Good Book
  • 1971 - Gather Me
  • 1971 - Live at Montreux
  • 1971 - Garden in the City
  • 1972 - Stoneground Words
  • 1973 - Melanie at Carnegie Hall
  • 1973 - Please Love Me
  • 1974 - Madrugada
  • 1974 - As I See It Now
  • 1975 - Sunset and Other Beginnings
  • 1976 - photographer
  • 1978 - Phonogenic / Not Just Another Pretty Face
  • 1979 - Ballroom Streets
  • 1982 - Arabesque
  • 1983 - Seventh Wave
  • 1985 - Am I Real or What
  • 1987 - Melanie
  • 1989 - Cowabonga
  • 1991 - Precious Cargo
  • 1993 - Freedom Knows My Name
  • 1993 - Silver Anniversary Unplugged
  • 1995 - Old Bitch Warrior
  • 1996 - Unchained Melanie
  • 1996 - Her Greatest Hits Live & New
  • 1997 - Lowcountry
  • 1997 - On Air
  • 1997 - Antlers
  • 2002 - Moments from my life
  • 2002 - Crazy Love
  • 2004 - Paled by Dimmer Light
  • 2005 - Photograph Double Exposure
  • 2010 - Ever Since You Never Heard of Me

Compilations

  • 1971 - Please Love Me
  • 1971 - The Best of Melanie
  • 1972 - The Four Sides of Melanie
  • 1973 - The Very Best of Melanie
  • 1975 - From The Beginning / Twelve Great Performances
  • 1977 - The Best of Melanie [2LP] [Buddah]
  • 1981 - Spotlight On Melanie
  • 1988 - Her Songs [SWI]
  • 1988 - Melanie's Back in Town - 20 Greatest Hits [CAN]
  • 1988 - The Best of Melanie [1LP] [Buddah]
  • 1988 - The Very Best of Melanie
  • 1990 - The Best of Melanie [Rhino]
  • 1991 - Ruby Tuesday
  • 1991 - The Best of Melanie [Music Club]
  • 1992 - Beautiful Songs for Beautiful People [NLD]
  • 1993 - All the Hits… And More [DEU]
  • 1993 - A Portrait of Melanie (including Nickel Song, Ruby Tuesday, Mr. Tambourine Man, Lay Lady Lay)
  • 1997 - Encore Collection
  • 1997 - The Very Best of Melanie: Acoustic Blue
  • 1997 - Golden Hits Collection
  • 1998 - The Very Best of Melanie [Camden]
  • 1998 - Melanie Magic (The Ultimate Collection)
  • 1999 - Beautiful People: The Greatest Hits of Melanie
  • 1999 - Ring the Living Bell: A Collection
  • 2000 - Shine On - The Latest and Greatest [DEU]
  • 2004 - The Greatest Hits Legacy
  • 2006 - Beautiful Hits
  • 2008 - Evergreen Selection

Singles

  • 1968 - Mr. Tambourine Man / Christopher Robin [GBR]
  • 1969 - Garden in the City / Why Didn't My Mother Tell Me?
  • 1969 - God's Only Daughter / My Beautiful People
  • 1969 - Bo Bo's Party / I'm Back in Town
  • 1969 - Bo Bo's Party / Mr. Tambourine Man [FRA]
  • 1969 - Uptown Down / Beautiful People [GBR]
  • 1970 - Baby Guitar / Any Guy
  • 1970 - Beautiful People / Any Guy
  • 1970 - I Believe / Lay Down [DEU]
  • 1970 - Lay Down / Animal Crackers
  • 1970 - Lay Down (Candles in the Rain) / Animal Crackers [FRA]
  • 1970 - Lay Down (Candles in the Rain) / Candles in the Rain [NLD]
  • 1970 - Ruby Tuesday / What Have They Done To My Song Ma [GBR]
  • 1970 - Ruby Tuesday / What Have They Done to My Song Ma [NOR]
  • 1971 - What Have They Done to My Song Ma / Ruby Tuesday [FRA]
  • 1970 - Peace Will Come (According to Plan) / Close to it All
  • 1970 - Peace Will Come (According to Plan) / Close to it All [DEU]
  • 1970 - Peace Will Come (According to Plan) / Stop! I Don't Want to Hear It Anymore
  • 1970 - Peace Will Come (According to Plan) / Close to It All [NLD]
  • 1970 - Ruby Tuesday / Merry Christmas
  • 1971 - stop! I Don't Wanna Hear It Any More / Beautiful People [GBR]
  • 1971 - Nickel Song / Good Book
  • 1971 - The Good Book / We Don't Know Where We're Going
  • 1971 - Brand New Key / Some Say [I Got Devil]
  • 1972 - I'm Back in Town / Johnny Boy
  • 1972 - Some Say I'll Be a Farmer / Steppin '
  • 1972 - Some Day I'll Be a Farmer / Lay Lady Lay [GBR]
  • 1972 - The Nickel Song / What Have They Done to My Song, Ma?
  • 1972 - Ring the Living Bell / Railroad
  • 1972 - Together Alone / Center of the Circle
  • 1972 - Together Alone / Summer Weaving [GBR]
  • 1973 - Do You Believe / Stoneground Words
  • 1973 - Do You Believe / Stoneground Words [NLD]
  • 1973 - Please Love Me [DEU]
  • 1973 - Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow? / Here I Am
  • 1973 - Bitter Bad / Do You Believe
  • 1973 - Seeds / Some Say (I Got Devil)
  • 1974 - Love to Lose Again / Pine and Feather
  • 1974 - Lover's Cross / Holding Out
  • 1975 - Record Machine / Sweet Misery
  • 1975 - You're Not a Bad Ghost, Just an Old Song / Eyes of Man [DEU] (promo)
  • 1975 - You Can't Hurry Love / Mama Said [DEU] (promo)
  • 1977 - Cyclone / If I Needed You
  • 1978 - I'd Rather Leave While I'm in Love / Record People
  • 1978 - Oh Boy / Brand New Key
  • 1978 - Running After Love / Holding Out
  • 1981 - One More Try / Apathy
  • 1982 - Detroit or Buffalo / Imaginary Heroes
  • 1982 - Detroit or Buffalo / When You're Dead and Gone
  • 1982 - Foolin 'Yourself / Dead and Gone [DEU]
  • 1982 - Get High on Yourself / Dead and Gone
  • 1983 - Every Breath of the Way / Lovers Lullaby
  • 1983 - Every Breath of the Way / Lovers Lullaby [Picture Disc]
  • 1983 - Dance To The Music / What Do I Keep
  • 1985 - Maybe I'm Lonely / Who's Been Sleeping in My Bed?
  • 1985 - Rag Doll (short / long versions)
  • 1985 - Who's Been Sleeping in My Bed / Somebody Love
  • 1985 - Who's Been Sleeping in My Bed? (Special Club Mix) / Who's Been Sleeping in My Bed?
  • 1994 - Till They All Get Home (A Little Prayer)
  • 1999 - Lay Down / Ruby Tuesday
  • 1999 - Summer of Love II [radio-only]
  • 2001 - Dust in the Wind / For What It's Worth
  • 2003 - Jammin 'Alone / You Can Find Anything Here

swell

  1. ↑ melaniemusic.com: Melanie
  2. ^ Wieland Harms: The Unplugged Guitar Book. 20 of the most beautiful songs for acoustic guitar. Gerig Music, ISBN 3-87252-249-3 , p. 20.
  3. ↑ More information on the title in: Fred Bronson: The Billboard Book of Number One Hits . 3rd Revised and Expanded Ed. Billboard Publications, New York City 1992, p. 304
  4. ^ Wieland Harms: The Unplugged Guitar Book. 20 of the most beautiful songs for acoustic guitar. Gerig Music, ISBN 3-87252-249-3 , pp. 20-23 ( Ruby Tuesday. Melanie ).
  5. ^ Wieland Harms: The Unplugged Guitar Book. 20 of the most beautiful songs for acoustic guitar. Gerig Music, ISBN 3-87252-249-3 , p. 20.
  6. ^ Wieland Harms: The Unplugged Guitar Book. 20 of the most beautiful songs for acoustic guitar. Gerig Music, ISBN 3-87252-249-3 , p. 20.
  7. ↑ a b Chart sources: DE AT UK US1 US2
  8. ^ The Billboard Albums by Joel Whitburn , 6th Edition, Record Research 2006, ISBN 0-89820-166-7

Web links

Commons : Melanie Safka  - collection of pictures, videos and audio files
personal data
SURNAME Safka, Melanie
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Melanie (stage name); Safka, Melanie Anne (maiden name); Safka-Schekeryk, Melanie Ann (full name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American rock guitarist, singer, and songwriter
DATE OF BIRTH February 3, 1947
PLACE OF BIRTH Astoria , New York , USA