Melanie Safka
| Melanie Safka | |
 | |
| Personal Details | |
| Birth: | February 3, 1947 New York City, New York |
| Death: | January 23, 2024 (aged 76) |
| Occupation: | Singer-Songwriter |
| Residence: | Nashville, Tennessee |
| Media | |
| Website: | https://www.melaniesafka.com/ |
| Facebook: | |
| Twitter: | |
| Instagram: | |
| YouTube: | YouTube |
Melanie Safka (born Melanie Anne Safka Schekeryk; February 3, 1947 – January 23, 2024) was an American singer-songwriter. Politically, Safka identified as a libertarian, saying “I am not a Democrat, a Socialist, or a Republican.”
Early Life and Career
Safka was born and raised in the Astoria neighborhood of Queens, New York City. Her father, Frederick M. Safka (1924–2009), was of Ukrainian ancestry, and her mother, jazz singer Pauline "Polly" Altomare (1926–2003), was of Italian heritage. Melanie's first performance was of the song "Gimme a Little Kiss" on the radio show Live Like A Millionaire at the age of four. Her family moved to Long Branch, New Jersey, where she attended Long Branch High School, before moving to California for a brief stint, then moved to Red Bank, New Jersey where she attended Red Bank High School.
In her career as a singer-songwriter, Safka released two singles with Columbia Records. She subsequently signed with Buddah Records, where she released her first chart success in Europe with "Bobo's Party" in 1969. She later formed her own label, Neighborhood Records, with her husband and producer, Peter Schekeryk. Under her own label, she released her biggest American hit in 1972, "Brand New Key" (often referred to as "The Roller Skate Song"). Safka continued to release music for many years, earning her Billboard's No. 1 Top Female Vocalist award for 1972, two gold albums, and a gold single for "Brand New Key."
Melanie married record producer Peter Schekeryk in 1968, before his passing in 2010. Together, they had three children: daughter Leilah born on October 3, 1973, daughter Jeordie born on March 27, 1975, and son Beau-Jarred born on September 11, 1980. Melanie resided in the Nashville metropolitan area prior to her death on January 23, 2024, at the age of 76.