Melissa Etheridge has been a powerhouse in the music industry for decades. She has sold over 25 million albums worldwide and won two Grammy awards. She is also an outspoken advocate for LGBT rights, having come out as a lesbian in 1993. Here are some of the top 10 secrets about Melissa Etheridge:
1. In her early days of performing, she used to busk outside of local bars and clubs in Los Angeles.
2. Before finding success with “Bring Me Some Water”, she released three independent albums on her own label including “Melissa Etheridge” (1988), “Brave And Crazy” (1989) and “Never Enough” (1992).
3. In 2002, Melissa was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent chemotherapy. She wrote a song about her experience and subsequently released the album “Lucky” in 2004.
4. In 2005, she was one of the first musicians to perform at Live 8 alongside U2, Coldplay and others.
5. Melissa has collaborated with other artists such as KD Lang, Cyndi Lauper, Joss Stone and Elton John throughout her career.
6. In 2008, she was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
7. Etheridge is an active supporter of environmental causes, having been involved in campaigns for Greenpeace and Reverb (a sustainable tour organization).
8. In 2012, she composed music for “Ethel”, a documentary film about her friend, civil rights activist Ethel Kennedy.
9. In 2015, Etheridge received the Human Rights Campaign’s National Equality Award for her decades of advocacy on behalf of LGBT rights.
10. Her most recent album “Memphis Rock and Soul” was released in 2016 and features covers of songs by iconic Memphis musicians such as Otis Redding and Al Green.
These are just some of the things that make Melissa Etheridge an important figure in modern music history. Whether you’re a fan or not, it’s clear she has gone above and beyond when it comes to advocating for human rights and making powerful statements through her artistry. With over four decades of success and counting, Melissa Etheridge’s influence on the music industry is undeniable.