Melissa Etheridge

Melissa Etheridge - A Rocker Who Speaks True

Melissa Etheridge is many things - an accomplished singer-songwriter, a Grammy and Oscar winner, a gay activist, a lesbian mom, and a breast cancer survivor. Her music is a reflection of her life and our times. Life, love and politics - she covers it all from the viewpoint of a Kansas girl who made it big in music.

Melissa's Latest CD

Melissa will be releasing

A New Thought For Christmas

Amazon Price: $12.99 (as of 11/27/2009)

Melissa combines holiday classics such as "Blue Christmas" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" with new tunes: "Ring The Bells," "Light A Light," and "It's Christmas Time." Amazon says, "This album begs the question, "If we're all talking about peace on earth, what if we all concentrated on peace on earth and made it happen?" Good question! Get the CD and answer it.

Melissa Etheridge Biography

The Wikipedia version

Melissa Lou Etheridge (born May 29, 1961, in Leavenworth, Kansas) is an Academy Award-winning and two-time Grammy Award-winning American rock musician and singer.

Career Highlights
Etheridge has released nine albums since signing her first major recording contract in 1987. Three of them have gone multi-platinum: Melissa Etheridge (1988), Yes I Am (1993) and Your Little Secret (1995). Two others went platinum and two more gold.

Etheridge is a Bruce Springsteen fan, and she has covered his songs "Thunder Road" and "Born to Run" during live shows. She is also a fan of the Dave Matthews Band and has expressed interest in collaborating with them.

In October 2004, Melissa Etheridge was diagnosed with breast cancer. At the 2005 Grammy Awards, she made a return to the stage and, although bald from chemotherapy, performed a tribute to Janis Joplin with the song Piece of My Heart. Etheridge was praised for her performance, which was considered one of the highlights of the show.

On September 10, 2005, Etheridge participated in ReAct Now: Music & Relief, a telethon in support for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. ReAct Now: Music & Relief, part of an ongoing effort by MTV, VH1, CMT, seeks to raise funds for the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and America's Second Harvest. Etheridge introduced a new song specially written for the occasion called "Four Days." The a cappella song included themes and images that were on the news during the aftermath of the hurricane. Other charities she supports include the Dream Foundation and Love Our Children USA.

On November 15, 2005, Etheridge appeared on the Tonight Show to perform her song "I Run For Life," which references her own fight with breast cancer and her determination to overcome it, as well as encourages other breast cancer survivors and their families. After her performance, Jay Leno told her, "Thanks for being a fighter, kiddo."

Etheridge is roughly the 125th top selling artist of all time with more than 27 million record sales.

On 7 July, 2007 Etheridge performed at Giants Stadium at the American leg of Live Earth. Etheridge performed the song, "Imagine That", to be released on The Awakening in September 2007, and the song "What Happens Tomorrow".

The song "I Need To Wake Up" was on the enhanced version of her greatest hits album.

Source: Wikipedia

Her Biography in Her Own Words

The world as she used to see it

Sure, the Wikipedia bio above is interesting, but if you really want to know about Melissa Etheridge's life, don't trust Wikipedia. Check out her book, "The Truth is... My Life in Love and Music." It was published in 2001, so you won't get the inside story on her wedding to Tammy, her battle against breast cancer, or the birth of her twins, but at least you'll get the early years straight from the source.

But apparently Melissa isn't a fan of her own work. She told LifetimeTV.com that if she ever writes another book, "the first line would say, 'The truth is, [the person I am now] didn't write my last book.' There's still some fear in that book. What happened was when I started writing the book, I thought it was going to be a book about the songs I had written and that it would be kind of a fan thing. And then I went through my breakup... (and) I just barfed all of it out in that book. And I haven't gone back and read it. I'm afraid to. That book is truthful. But it's kind of a surface truth, and there's more to it. Sometimes we can't even speak our truth until we're years out of it."

The Truth Is . . .: My Life in Love and Music

by: Melissa Etheridge, Laura Morton

Amazon Price: $11.25 (as of 11/27/2009)

Melissa Etheridge Discography - The Early Years

From 1988 to 1995

Melissa's first self-titled debut album was released in 1988. Since then, she has released nine other CDs, including the 2007 release of "The Awakening." Along the way, she has picked up two Grammy awards and an Academy Award, as well as a number of other honors. In this discography, I've listed all her albums, as well as other projects in which she has appeared, from a Disney movie to a tribute to Dolly Parton, and several other items you'll see below.

Melissa Etheridge

1988 - The multi-platinum album that started it all. Features such classics as Bring Me Some Water and Like the Way I Do.

Amazon Price: $8.99 (as of 11/27/2009)

Brave and Crazy

1990 - Features favorites such as You Can Sleep While I Drive, Brave and Crazy and No Souvenirs.

Amazon Price: $8.99 (as of 11/27/2009)

Never Enough

1992 - Features tracks such as Grammy-winning Ain't It Heavy, Dance Without Sleeping and Must Be Crazy For Me.

Amazon Price: $9.98 (as of 11/27/2009)

Yes I Am

1993 - Fan favorites such as Grammy-winner Come to My Window, I'm the Only One and If I Wanted To.

Amazon Price: $11.99 (as of 11/27/2009)

Your Little Secret

1995 - Features songs such as Your Little Secret, I Want to Come Over and Shriner's Park.

Amazon Price: $9.98 (as of 11/27/2009)

Discography 1999 - 2007

From angst to awakening....

Skin

2001 - Features tracks such as The Different, Lover Please and I Want to Be in Love.

Amazon Price: $11.99 (as of 11/27/2009)

Lucky

2004 - Features songs such as Breathe, Tuesday Morning, Secret Agent and Giant.

Amazon Price: $11.99 (as of 11/27/2009)

Greatest Hits: The Road Less Traveled [Deluxe CD/DVD Combo]

2005 - In addition to greatest hits, includes new songs I Run for Life and I Need to Wake Up and live Grammy version of Piece of My Heart

Amazon Price: $29.98 (as of 11/27/2009)

The Awakening

2007 - Includes tracks such as Message to Myself, Imagine That and What Happens Tomorrow.

Amazon Price: $12.99 (as of 11/27/2009)

Breakdown: Limited Edition

1999 - Includes songs such as Angels Would Fall, Into the Dark and Scarecrow.

Amazon Price: (as of 11/27/2009)

More Melissa Discography!

CDs featuring MLE

In addition to releasing her own CDs, Melissa's music has appeared on multi-artist compilations, in movie soundtracks, and other CDs. Here are some other places to get your Melissa fix.

Boys On The Side ~ Original Soundtrack Album

Movie soundtrack includes MLE singing "I Take You With Me."

Amazon Price: (as of 11/27/2009)

The Concert for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Multi-artist album features three songs performed by Melissa: Be My Baby, Love Child and Leader Of The Pack.

Amazon Price: $15.93 (as of 11/27/2009)

The Rolling Stone Women In Rock Collection

Girls rock! Includes Your Little Secret.

Amazon Price: $24.98 (as of 11/27/2009)

If These Walls Could Talk 2 (2000 TV Movie)

Features Mama I'm Strange.

Amazon Price: $11.97 (as of 11/27/2009)

The Concert for New York City

Melissa sings Come to My Window and the Springsteen classic Born to Run.

Amazon Price: $15.93 (as of 11/27/2009)

... And Still More MLE Discography

More compliations and movie soundtracks featuring our favorite rocker

Songs from the Street: 35 Years of Music

Kids CD features pop stars singing their hits, including MLE with Like the Way I Do.

Amazon Price: (as of 11/27/2009)

Just Because I'm a Woman: The Songs of Dolly Parton

Melissa performs Dolly's classic I Will Always Love You.

Amazon Price: $14.99 (as of 11/27/2009)

Love Rocks

Features Melissa's song Giant

Amazon Price: $19.98 (as of 11/27/2009)

Brother Bear (2-Disc Special Edition)

Disney movie features three original songs by Melissa: Welcome to This Day, Feels Like Home and It Will Be Me

Amazon Price: $21.99 (as of 11/27/2009)

An Inconvenient Truth

Includes the Academy Award-winning song I Need to Wake Up.

Amazon Price: $14.99 (as of 11/27/2009)

Melissa at the Democratic National Convention

Melissa and band member Philip Sayce appeared at the DNC to sing a medley of songs.

Melissa Etheridge at the 2008 Democratic National Convention

Melissa Etheridge performs at the 2008 Democratic Convention in Denver, Colo.

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"The Awakening" Concerts Online

See MLE rock out with the newest release

If you're suffering withdrawal now that The Revival Tour has ended, try watching Melissa perform "The Awakening" online. She and the band performed the entire "Awakening" set before small crowds for Nissan Live Sets on Yahoo! Music and for STRIPPED in early 2008. You can watch the performances on

Nissan Live Sets on Yahoo! Music and StrippedMusic.com

Inspiration for "Threesome" on "The Awakening" CD

Tammy's Nightmare Turned Into a Song

If you're wondering what inspired your favorite rocker to write that fun little country song "Threesome," then check out this blog post from Tammy Lynn Etheridge. It's hysterical (well, as long as you're liberal, lesbian, a rabid Melissa fan or all of the above). If you enjoy the song, you can get it as a ringtone from Jamster.

Melissa and Breast Cancer

"I Run for Life" is an inspiration to all survivors

One of the significant events in her life that isn't included in "The Truth Is..." is Melissa's battle with breast cancer. She was on tour for her "Lucky" album in 2004 when she discovered she had stage two cancer. She cut the tour short and started treatment, but just a few months later she was back in the public eye. Still bald from the chemotherapy, she performed a show-stopping version of Janis Joplin's "Piece of My Heart" at the Grammys.

The performance inspired India Arie to include a verse in her song, "I Am Not My Hair about Melissa." The singer's website says: "Her performance brought tears to my eyes," Arie says. "At that moment in time, her performance was a juxtaposition of pain and beauty. It symbolized the beauty of strength."

As a result of her own bout with cancer, Melissa was approached by Ford Motors the next year to record a song about breast cancer. The result was "I Run for Life." The song is not only an inspiration to every person who has ever had breast cancer, but it is also helping the fight for a cure, as proceeds from the song benefit breast cancer charities.

On the Ford Cares website, Melissa is quoted as saying, "I wanted to make it personal, climb into people's emotions and portray a woman who has gone through breast cancer. The first verse is about a survivor. The second verse is from my own experience. The last verse I wanted to offer to those who have not been diagnosed or have known someone affected. We're all running for answers and to make the situation better."

Photo: AP/ Kevork Djansezian

Melissa Sings "Piece of My Heart" At the Grammys

"I'm gonna show you, baby, that a woman can be tough"

If you missed this performance, stop everything, put on your headphones and watch it right now. This was Melissa's first public performance after being diagnosed with breast cancer, and she did it while still completely bald from chemo. You go, girl! Janis Joplin's lyrics "I'm gonna show you... that a woman can be tough" take on new meaning with this performance. Go watch it!

Melissa Etheridge & Joss Stone - Janis Joplin Tribute

Good video....Janis Joplin Tribute, Enjoy it

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Melissa Etheridge Ringtones

Ringtones from your favorite rocker

Face it. If you want to be considered a diehard MLE fan in this technologically advanced world, you've got to have a Melissa ringtone for your cell phone. What? You don't have one yet? Then check these out and get with the times! Note that this is just a short selection of what's available, so if you want a particular song that's not here, just click through the links to search the site.

from The Awakening

An Unexpected Rain

I've Loved You Before

Threesome

Imagine That

What Happens Tomorrow

Road Less Traveled Ringtones

from The Road Less Traveled

This Is Not Goodbye ringtone

You Can Sleep While I Drive

Angels Would Fall

Bring Me Some Water

Come To My Window

I'm The Only One

What do you think of Melissa Etheridge?

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The Personal Side

More biography from Wikipedia

Etheridge is famous as a gay rights activist, having publicly come out as a lesbian in January 1993 at the Triangle Ball, a gay/lesbian celebration of President Bill Clinton's first inauguration. She is also a committed advocate for environmental issues and in 2006 she toured the US and Canada using biodiesel.

Etheridge had a long-term partnership with Julie Cypher, which made headlines. During this partnership, Cypher gave birth to two children, Bailey Jean, born February 1997, and Beckett, born November 1998, fathered by sperm donor David Crosby.

In 2000, Cypher began to reconsider her sexuality and on September 19, 2000, Etheridge and Cypher announced they were separating. In 2001, Etheridge documented her breakup with Cypher and other experiences in her memoir "The Truth Is... My Life in Love and Music." In the book, Etheridge recounts that she was molested by her sister, Jennifer, over five years as a child, and mentions an alleged affair Cypher had with k.d. lang.

After splitting from Cypher, Etheridge went on to exchange vows in a 2003 commitment ceremony with actress Tammy Lynn Michaels.

In October 2004, Melissa Etheridge was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent chemotherapy.

In October 2005, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Etheridge appeared on Dateline NBC with Michaels to discuss her struggle with cancer. By the time of the interview, Etheridge's hair had grown back after being lost during chemotherapy. She said that her partner had been very supportive during her illness. Etheridge also admitted to using medicinal marijuana while she was receiving the chemotherapy. She said that the drug improved her mood and increased her appetite. Chemotherapy patients often have difficulty eating because of severe nausea.

In April 2006, Etheridge and Michaels announced that Michaels was pregnant with twins via an anonymous sperm donor. Michaels gave birth to a son, Miller Steven, and a daughter, Johnnie Rose, on October 17, 2006.

Source - Wikipedia

The Very Personal Side -- Melissa Etheridge Naked for PETA

MLE and Julie Cypher posed for a controversial ad

I included this ad just because I think it's an interesting piece of MLE history. In 1995, Melissa posed nude with her then-partner Julie Cypher for PETA's "I'd rather go naked than wear fur" campaign. Melissa later said it was "my mistake" because there are "so many gray areas" about animal rights." Etheridge said she had lost her father to cancer and many friends to AIDS and couldn't support PETA's strict no-animal-testing stance.

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A Blast from the past...

Back in the days when you could get tickets for $12

Buy at AllPosters.com

Melissa Etheridge DVDs

Can't get to a concert? Check out these DVDs of MLE rocking out live.

The Awakening Live

Melissa Etheridge - Live....

Melissa Etheridge - Lucky...

The Concert for New York...

MLE Talks About Her Greatest Hits

Music of Melissa Etheridge

It was the performance of "Piece of My Heart" on the 2005 Grammy Awards show that served as notice to the world that Melissa Etheridge was indeed ready to embrace the next half of her career. Bald from the chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer that had been diagnosed in 2004, she joyously inhabited the wrenching soul-blues of the song, announcing to the world that she was ready to get going, renewed and recharged. In this segment, Melissa Etheridge reflects on her life after being diagnosed with cancer and its effect on her music. Credits: http://www.melissaetheridge.com

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Popular Melissa Etheridge CDs

Top-selling Melissa CDs at Amazon

A New Thought for Christmas (CD & DVD)

Amazon Price: $14.99 (as of 11/27/2009)

A New Thought For Christmas

Amazon Price: $12.99 (as of 11/27/2009)

Greatest Hits: The Road Less Traveled (Eco Friendly Packaging)

Amazon Price: $10.97 (as of 11/27/2009)

Yes I Am

Amazon Price: $11.99 (as of 11/27/2009)

Melissa Etheridge

Amazon Price: $8.99 (as of 11/27/2009)

Melissa Etheridge Collectibles on eBay

eBay always has an interesting collection of MLE collectibles for sale, from signed guitars and photos to promotional ads, magazines, T-shirts and stuff only true fans would care about. They have even auctioned off lunch with Melissa for a charity. Here's what's up for bid right now.

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A Hair-Raising Questio

How Do You Like Melissa's Hair?

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Long and shaggy! I love the classic rocker look!

1 point

2

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Bald is beautiful! She looked great at the Grammys!

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Short is sexy! I liked the look on the greatest hits CD.

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4

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How incredibly shallow to have a poll about someone's hair! Get a life!

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Melissa Etheridge Music Videos

Melissa Etheridge - Like The W...

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Melissa Etheridge & Joss Stone...

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Melissa Etheridge - I Want To ...

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Weakness In Me - Melissa Ether...

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Melissa Etheridge - I'm The On...

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Melissa Etheridge - Refugee

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Sheet Music - Play Guitar or Piano Like Melissa!

Greatest Hits - The Road Less Traveled
Songbook for voice, piano and guitar (chords only). 116 pages.

The Best of Melissa Etheridge
Guitar tablature songbook for guitar and voice. 159 pages.

Anthology
Songbook for voice, piano and guitar chords. 160 pages.

Lucky
Songbook for voice, piano and guitar (chords only). 87 pages

Buy a Melissa Etheridge Guitar

Be cool. Play Melissa's 12-string Ovation guitar.

If I could afford it, this 12-string Ovation acostic electric guitar is the one I'd own.

Musician's Friend describes the Melissa Etheridge guitar this way: "A gorgeous instrument designed with one of the world's most powerful and talented singer/songwriters. Unidirectional carbon fiber top provides extreme strength with very little mass for the truest enhancement of a string's vibration possible. Mid-depth cutaway body and 5-piece mahogany/maple/ebony neck with ebony fretboard and urethane oil finish provide the ultimate in playability and projection. Ebony bridge, gold tuners, and exotic wood epaulettes make it visually stunning while Ovation's Original Patented Pickup and OP Pro electronics deliver stellar sound plugged in. Includes hardshell case."

Of course, you've got to be quite a Melissa nut or a darn good guitar player to shell out the bucks for this baby because it ain't cheap. Check out the Adamas Melissa Etheridge 12-String Acoustic Electric Guitar at Musicians Friend.