Very sad news. We have lost a great source of light, a candle burning brightly in the rain.
Singer, songwriter, hit maker, Mother. Survivor, flower child, hippie, chanteuse. Chart topper. Wife. Grandmother. Beauty. Guitarist extraordinaire. Emmy Award Winner. Interpreter of song. Influencer. Inspirer.
Along with a small set of contemporaries, Melanie Safka boldly led the way for independent female artists in the shady world of Rock N Roll in the late 1960s and early 1970s, influencing the likes of Stevie Nicks, Kate Bush, Joanna Newsom and a host of others along the way.
Against all odds, her innovative and unusual vocal stylings broke through into the charts peaking at #1 and earning her Billboard Magazine’s Top Female Vocalist Award. She was one of the very first artists to break free of the confines of the music business and start her own record label, Neighborhood Records.
Vindictively her former record label went out of their way to sabotage her music career by releasing compilation albums at the same time Safka was putting out new releases of original material on her own label. As intended, these unscrupulous tactics confused record buyers and hurt sales, ultimately causing the demise of her beloved little independent record label.
As years went by sales continued to plummet and the hits all but disappeared. A particular low point came in 1983 when her show at the Royal Albert Hall was canceled due to low ticket sales. Not one to be deterred, Melanie played an impromptu set near the storied hall before being ushered away by police.
And so Melanie wrote the book on how to survive 50 plus years as an on the road, independent musician, soldiering on against adversity and preconceived notions of a lack of relevancy. At the time of her death she was reportedly working on her 31st album. Predeceased by Peter Schekeryk, her producer, partner, manager and husband of over 40 years, our thoughts and prayers go out to her beloved children Leilah, Jeordie and son Beau Jarred who will all no doubt carry on their Mother’s inspiring legacy of strength, originality, light, perseverance, positivity and good humour. Thank you Melanie, we’ll all meet you at the Bobo’s party.