Celebrity

Folk music icon Melanie, the voice behind ‘Brand New Key’, passes away at 76

Matthew Hart
Jan 26, 2024
In response to her passing, admirers have taken to social media to express their condolences and reminisce about the impact Melanie had on their lives. Source: Getty Images.

In a poignant moment for the world of folk music, the celebrated singer Melanie, known for her timeless hits like Brand New Key and Lay Down (Candles in the Rain), has passed away at the age of 76.

The news of her passing was shared by her “heartbroken” children, Leilah, Jeordie, and Beau Jarred, who, in a heartfelt social media post, announced that Melanie had passed “peacefully, out of this world and into the next.”

“This is the hardest post for us to write, and there are so many things we want to say, first, and there’s no easy way except to say it… Mom passed, peacefully, out of this world and into the next on January, 23rd, 2024,” they wrote.

“We are heartbroken, but want to thank each and every one of you for the affection you have for our Mother, and to tell you that she loved all of you so much! She was one of the most talented, strong and passionate women of the era and every word she wrote, every note she sang reflected that.

“Our world is much dimmer, the colors of a dreary, rainy Tennessee pale with her absence today, but we know that she is still here, smiling down on all of us, on all of you, from the stars.”

Born February 3, 1947, Melanie’s musical journey began with a radio debut at age four and later performances in Greenwich Village.

Notably, Melanie was one of three solo women to perform at the iconic Woodstock festival in 1969. Her song Lay Down (Candles in the Rain) became a global hit, inspired by the audience lighting candles during her Woodstock set. Subsequent hits like Peace Will Come (According To Plan) and a cover of the Rolling Stones’ Ruby Tuesday solidified her success.

Signing with Buddah Records, Melanie achieved European success in 1969 with Bobo’s Party and gained global recognition for Lay Down (Candles in the Rain) inspired by Woodstock.

In 1971, she founded Neighborhood Records, producing her biggest hit, Brand New Key. Recognised as Billboard’s No. 1 Top Female Vocalist in 1972, Melanie showcased philanthropy as a UNICEF ambassador, prioritising charity over extensive touring. Her diverse career included an Emmy-winning theme for Beauty and the Beast and writing a theatrical musical, Ace of Diamonds.

Throughout her career, Melanie’s contributions to music earned her critical acclaim and accolades, and she remains an iconic figure in the folk music scene. Recent highlights include a well-received performance at the Meltdown Festival in 2007 and collaborations on original musicals. In 2015, she was honoured with the Sandy Hosey Lifetime Achievement Award at the Artists Music Guild’s AMG Heritage Awards.

In response to her passing, admirers have taken to social media to express their condolences and reminisce about the impact Melanie had on their lives.

Melanie is survived by her three children Leilah, Jeordie and Beau Jarred.

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