MELANIE Hippie/Oddball? PART 1

See the FULL INTERVIEW from '91: • MELANIE "Oddball" COMP... . Melanie Safka Appreciation Society: / appreciatingmelaniesafka and more from Melanie about Woodstock in 2002: • MELANIE Woodstock / La... .

[@drewroberts948]

She should be in The Rock n Roll Hall of Fame! She is an ICON!!

[@IanWalkerMelmanian]

Amen!

[@LetArtsLive]

I'd like to meet her this is a great story

[@randypotter204]

The so-called "Rock and Roll" Hall of Fame lacks credibility. You would be amazed at the list of iconic musicians who have not been inducted.

[@rebelrebel61]

Its a disgrace she isn't!

[@dugoutdave4450]

Melanie was the meteor of magic the world needed

[@ariellehart6632]

Whether she was an oddball or a hippie OR not, her music was beautiful and so into peace and working with others! Wonderful voice!

[@drewroberts948]

God i love Melanie!!

[@steveellis9004]

Buffy Ste Marie. Soldier Blue.

[@jgunther3398]

everybody in 1969 was an oddball and possibly a hippie too. in 2077 everybody in 2023 was just an oddball

[@eottoe2001]

A friend of mine who use to play backup for her told me she was great person and nice to work with. She actually advocated for peace which no one does anymore. Oddball? She was a hippie and they were a lot more interesting than what we have become.

[@timburritt4585]

My first crush. I must have played "Lay Down (candles in the rain)" till it warped. Loved her then, love her now. You never forget your first crush.

[@JimDorman]

Mine too (as I listened to the Woodstock album at age 10) and then i got to interview her ten years ago and she played me a song. I couldn't believe what was happening.

[@timburritt4585]

I LOVED HER COMMENTS (AND YOURS). I WONDER IF ITS CROSSED HER MIND, THERE WOULD BE NO STEVIE NICKS (LOVE HER TOO) WITHOUT HER INFLUENCE. WOW YOU GOT TO INTERVIEW HER? I WAS ALSO 10 YRS. OLD EYEING THE WOODSTOCK ALBUM TILL MOM WENT TO BED. GIVE ME AN "F"? NICE TO MEET YOU JIM!

[@JimDorman]

Tim Burritt Haha - I saw Country Joe a few years ago with the Hippiefest Tour. And, yes I interviewed her on the phone and then went to her show, and met her in person afterwards. Through the process I hit it off with her husband Peter (now deceased RIP). He had sent me her latest CD and I blurted out that she hadn't played my favorite cut ("Leftover Emotion"). So she grabbed her son Beau, and they both grabbed their guitars, sat down on the edge of the stage and played it for me. It was nuts! Nice to meet you too Tim.

[@mausolos8]

Mine too. She is still beautiful !

[@shanehowell8169]

She was so talented AND beautiful

[@TrueBlueCat]

2021 and still listening. I was too young for Woodstock, but never too young or old to appreciate this great music era in time. Sing her music all the time. 🤗💙

[@sambradley1968]

Melanie Safka is cute & a great singer songwriter She was so underrated as a musician. Her music helped to heal a troubled nation. I love her as do so many lovers of music & peace. ❤🎵🎸

[@levvellene570]

Even before Melanie Safka was rediscovered by more modern artists, she was a wonderful artist in her own time, and even I discovered her to late! Still, happiness to all who recognize her so many years later!

[@soxfan1957]

Sorry. There was an oddball here but it wasn't Melanie.

[@lesleyvivien2876]

Same Melanie, same light-up-the-room smile. Shame about the interviewer, but I think Melanie gave her the respect she deserved. Well handled. :)

[@NEWTON8770]

MELANIE YOU MADE ME HAPPY WITH YOUR MUSIC,GREAT SONGS FINE TIMES,YOU ARE GREAT

[@chemcokeith6533]

lay down was such an important tune to me. Loved the way she sang balls out

[@andyandcallie]

What a sweetheart. I loved her then and I love her now!

[@jamesbarclay9265]

I was a neighbor of Melanie's and went to her "concerts". We, the audience, loved to join in and have a great deal of fun. I guess having picnics helped.

[@Ring0fSaturn]

Melanie is charming and genuine. The interviewer seems to be from another planet, but this is great to see. Thanks, Ian.

[@RaeZoladawn777]

she is such a bubbly person I have never seen an interview of her thank you for posting this Ian Walker she is one of my fave singers very blessed singer Love her so much .......

[@IanWalkerMelmanian]

Rae, thanks for your comment. There are many of us who deeply appreciate Melanie and her music. Please join us if you're on Facebook, in a very active group where you'll hear and see many treasures you may not have encountered before: facebook.com/groups/AppreciatingMelanieSafka/?ref=ts&fref=ts

[@richardfredrickson2395]

@@IanWalkerMelmanian o

[@MrCarl220]

This woman is amazing, and a spectacular, unique voice!!

[@NoRosesForMe]

my granny used to sing that roller skate song. My GRANNY for goodness sake! hahaha ! She remembered and for some reason that song stuck with my grandmother. And she is not a hippie dippy person,,,,,but she digs things you wouldnt believe. . Melanie is underrated as hell

[@donaldbishop7550]

My grandma was to old for this song, but see was really into Roller derby back in the day.

[@lowdown4651]

Melanie I love you thanks for the music girl I'm ,63 Vietnam vet but love your music and you god bless .

[@stevenliniak3625]

Hey people. We're talking outstanding female singers of all time. I am 63 and I have seen them all. Melanie along with Grece Slick never got the recognition they deserved. Today's singers can't hold a candle to to either one of them. God bless Melanie and God bless Grace Slick. The 2 greatest female singers of all time!!!

[@stephenviesti5066]

Tears of Joy every time I watch her to this day.

[@DiaHuizinga]

Great interview with the Queen of Woodstock aka The First Lady of Woodstock aka MELANIE!

[@scottewell9743]

I don t care hippy or odd ball ,Can t help it ! Love her to bits ! !!!!!

[@timanderson9466]

she was such a pretty woman.

[@Harvey3rdman]

You mean 'is', dont you?

[@timanderson9466]

Harvey3rdman Yes.

[@Harvey3rdman]

"More of me to love, baby."~Bart Simpson

[@robertvalderaz7329]

Tim Anderson she still is...

[@Helen603ify]

I've always loved Melanie. I got reacquainted with "Brand New Key" watching the film "Boogie Nights"(an excellent film on the pornography industry). Love the old "hippie" music.

[@Misses-Hippy]

Love Melanie, glad you are back.

[@kodijames6277]

"Brand New Key". I always interpreted that song as meaning "Hey dude...I've got this 'hole' between my legs.....do you have something that will 'fit' it?" I'm sure I'm not the ONLY ONE who 'thought' that this was what the song was about.

[@sallyjay1753]

I Loved Melanie her music her voice everything about her is special

[@seangage9088]

Melanie is a very special artiste........even after all of these years her music is still outstanding and fresh.......to me her appearance at the IOW (1970) when she came on at dawn remains one of the most magic moment of my life......

[@fusejockey]

Melanie Lafta is such a doll, so full of love and kindness.

[@IanWalkerMelmanian]

I kind of like that... Lafta... Maybe in an alternative universe she is Melanie Lafta but in this one she's Melanie Safka. :)

[@fusejockey]

Oops - sorry for the Freudian slip...haha - Melanie Safka -

[@7peacefrog]

This is so cool! And I just heard (I Don't Eat Animals), and you wrote it in MO. we live near Joplin MO. neat Thank you and can't wait to see you more!

[@michalecinquina197]

Does anybody realize that the 60s some of the greatest music was made?

[@tysoninsurance100]

She is beautiful, sweet, & honest. Great interview!

[@franktartan6808]

If wiki is right she was 22 at Woodstock and not 18 as she said....????

[@billchandler914]

Saw her at the Festival Theatre in Adelaide in the 70's, which was the best concert ever. Thought I was in Heaven. Had a chance to meet her but was too shy. Loved her then when life was magical and mysterious, but never fulfilling. That sucks but make the most of it and enjoy before too late..

[@RTCarterful]

She is an amazing person, very good songwriter, and warm and interesting, alive, performer. Not odd, but definitely hippy like.

[@Fortwentt]

So Blessed she is to have been there. Sweet person.

[@valerietucker80]

I love Melanie!

[@bipblake]

Shes still a doll after all this time. Funny thing is, I have her on a dvd at Woodstock singing Brand New Key. What a classic piece of history that is.

[@IanWalkerMelmanian]

+Bryan Allen Actually, Melanie didn't write Brand New Key till '71, two years after Woodstock, so this is another later performance you have, possibly from Musikladen in Germany in '75?

[@bipblake]

Ian Walker I don't know cos its been a while since I watched it. Christ, I have so many of them things I would be here till doomsday trying to dig it up. lol

[@MrBngwatson]

she is a beautiful woman!!

[@IanWalkerMelmanian]

Yes, inside and out, and still wowing those of us fortunate enough to see her perform live, like the sell out crowd in Sydney here in Australia last night. I saw her in Adelaide (South Australia) and I'm seeing her in Melbourne next week.

[@terriharrigan7249]

She was the greatest and still is

[@onusgumboot5565]

How could anyone have said "no"? If she came up and asked me for anything, or everything, I would have to say Sure, yeah, you got it.

[@sandyallen5743]

Melanie...thank you so much. Your songs and voice have , well, brought me back to life. I love you, your spirit, your eccentricity. Your are iqumatic. Carry on.....

[@ObnosisJones]

Thank you for posting this, great quality, too; looks like it was transferred from the original 1". Will we ever see the rest of it? I am reminded of how great she was (is!). Enjoying your channel.

[@squeekytoys]

watched it she very fragile just lovely. What do you do when you were the most loved girl/woman on the planet then give an interview telling everyone I was just me " Melanie" think some work needs to be done. I did research all boys were in love with this woman in the late 60', to mid 70's most beautiful girl on the planet breaks my heart but soon all of her work will be put back + the most beautiful images of a woman called Melanie & if the labels that think they own them want to fight I know the rules Melanie aint going out without a fight & I never lose. I know you just want to see Melanie & it not to fail just to be perfect so for 5 minutes is my mission it will be. Next few days hope you fall in love again.

[@IanWalkerMelmanian]

Paul Gibbons Watch my channel in coming days because I will be uploading the full 20-minute interview.

[@IanWalkerMelmanian]

I have uploaded the full interview: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6W5inl5aciZqNk

[@ObnosisJones]

Thank you! Wonderful interview. I'm still curious about the tape format that was copied from. The lack of head switching artifacts at the bottom of the picture suggests that it might be Betacam or possibly a BVU type broadcast 3/4" machine. Any info?

[@IanWalkerMelmanian]

Paul Gibbons Paul, I wish I could satisfy your inquiring mind but I can't! This came to me on a DVD-R over a decade ago now and I've lost touch with the sender so I'm unable to enlighten you. The full-length interview wasn't uploaded in HD so the quality isn't quite the same as on the edited version. Glad you enjoyed the interview!

[@uralbob1]

I was in love with her for a year before I knew her name.

[@darylnoggler4085]

Right now I don't know the real name of your song ,we just call it "Tell me why"but it has been, to me, the most important song/poetry in my life. I sang it to my baby daughter and now a say it to my grandaughter.

[@IanWalkerMelmanian]

Daryl, you are right on! "Tell Me Why" was the final track on Melanie's 1971 album, 'Gather Me', which also featured Ring The Living Bell and Brand New Key. Here is a link: Gather Me-Melanie [FULL Album] (1971) (Vinyl Rip)

[@sambradley1968]

I remember "Brand New Key " & "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain ). She had (& still has ) a beautiful voice & is still lovely both physically & musically. 🎵🎸

[@sharonsheehy3128]

Awesome lovely lady who is a legend

[@basilbcf]

Just grounded, genuinely nice person.

[@ohevshalomel]

1:09 Just watching this video clip takes *me* back, LOL.

[@oreilly1237878]

She is unique.A wonderfull woman.

[@havefunbesafe]

Yes, hippy, oddball and wonderful.

[@datbumo]

Love you, Melanie.

[@johnblecker4206]

After walking through so many people I made it to the fourth row from the stage and sweet Melanie had just started to play like wow what a evening .

[@stuoneill2310]

She's aged well, great talent

[@jasonb12]

She was just the cutest thing back then...

[@wayneredmond3118]

I still have a crush on her

[@SkeeterNYC]

Soooo cool! Please post the rest of the interview if possible.

[@sharonsheehy3128]

How amazing ✨✨✨✨✨

[@SeaSideParanormal]

why did you stop her when she was talking about Woodstock? WTF?

[@sharonsheehy3128]

Love the voice✨✨✨✨

[@jimgardner1569]

I loved her. Still do. Always will, I guess.

[@andrewliberatore1432]

Hippie, oddball? I think this may be a case of splitting hairs. To those who grew up in that era they were almost universally accepted as one and the same.

[@mikeswinehart7928]

@Reverend Liberal Avenger Let's see. acid was good. getting out of Johnson's viet nam was bad. Everything can be cherry picked. One thing is certain: Melanie was awesome!

[@tonyreynolds5112]

I've always loved this lady and her music. She epitomized peace and love. ☮️☮️☮️🇺🇸

[@JacoKruger.]

looking at this tv show, how "old" it looks, hearing them say, "go and buy a cd player", im like wait, what? lol, 22 years ago? feels like 100 years ago lol, shocking how fast technology just shot up

[@andyrudy8627]

Very cool person! An individual!

[@danielmesery2904]

She's a Sweetie...I was lucky,,,and met her 😁☮️ Concert in Tampa....

[@jongreen4893]

She was a real doll back in the day. So was Carly Simon, Grace Slick, and Joany Mitchell! But with time it becomes irrelevent!!

[@catchyadreams]

91 mi goodness - 23 years ago

[@MrVampiredog]

WE LOVE YOU MELANIE

[@goodkawz]

Rock n roll, jelly roll and the Beatles' "Why Don't We Do It In The a Road." What's that all about, anyway? Lots of songs have different meanings to different listeners. The creators own the music only for financial purposes. It means to you what it means to you, It mostly is about freedom and friendship to me. But I get the entendre. We didn't all tune in, turn on, and drop out. We didn't all live in a world of constant sex, drugs, and rock n roll. Lots of us only went for, or only got, 2 out of 3. Some of us bathed, stayed in school and in relationship with family, but we also were somewhat tuned out to the "establishment" and went a bit experimental. We can't claim the term "hippie" if it is title of respect that must be earned. On the other hand if it means "longer term part-time fool", "wannabe libertine" and "protester" then the term encompasses many more who lived in homes and bathed. We were also generally politically either unconscious or liberal. I think Zappa called us plastic hippies, or something like that. And some have still not grown up. But there really was some unbelievable and barely-credible music. Anyway, shucks, Ma -- Look what they've done to my song.

[@alexandraasbury9974]

Interesting, but what I don't get is why were hippies so against the establishment--it was their mantra, wasn't it, just to turn around and embrace the establishment today when it sucks more than it ever did (as far as I'm concerned)? I was too young to be a hippie, but I do remember fifth grade and tie-dyeing a couple of shirts with my friends and buying beads at an art store with which to string up necklaces. I even remember seeing a few older kids (like older teenage-range) acting super rebellious, spray-painting things and stuff like that. And I still honestly can remember a couple of guys that even looked like Charles Manson. I liked the clothes and music but didn't think much of hippies mostly for the reasons you've listed above.Seems to me that a lot of them were really starving for attention. I'm sure I will get some angry comments from the old "not so tolerant" hipsters. :D I'm just doing my own thing, not trying to offend, just asking a question

[@nancycordero8566]

still looks good

[@guitarsandbanjos]

18 years old at Woodstock? But she was born in Feb. of '47. Wouldn't she have been 22? Maybe Wikipedia has her birth year wrong. I love her and always have. She inspired me my whole young life with her songs.

[@IanWalkerMelmanian]

No, you're correct! She's never been very good with years and dates, as she freely admits, and for years really thought she'd been 18 at Woodstock. These days she knows better! LOL

[@guitarsandbanjos]

@Ian Walker Oh, lol! Thank you. She was close. haha! Do you know anything about Melanie's mother? I think that I am discovering that Melanie's mother was a singer too. Wikipedia names her mother as :Pauline (Polly)Altomare. But I am finding here on KZbin a few songs by Polly Safka-Bertolo, an album called "Yesterdays" .One song is called Black Coffee. The youtube songs say they are sung by the mother of Melanie ( Melanie Safka.)

[@IanWalkerMelmanian]

@@guitarsandbanjos Yes, Polly was Melanie's mother, born Pauline Altomare, became Polly Safka, then married again and became Polly Safka Bertolo.

[@guitarsandbanjos]

@@IanWalkerMelmanian Why am I finding it impossible to find out more about her mother? I have google searched, and etc. but there appears to be nothing, except her name on Melanie's Wikipedia page and only two songs on youtube from her "Yesterdays" album. Mostly I am just curious as to her influence on Melanie. I have learned here that her mom took her to Woodstock. I have older brothers. One 18 years older, one 13 years older and one 10 years older. The 10 years older brother was at the Woodstock Festival. He has just graduated from High School in Atlanta. We spent our summers in NH with our grandparents on the lake. He went with friends. My mom was fine with it...he was 18 after-all and kids his age were being drafted into Vietnam. The oldest brother was already there. But my grandparents had a fit that mom let him go. lol! I have always loved Melanie. We had all her albums at home, courtesy of my sister who was 6 years older than I. She had great taste in music. All the siblings did and still do. I would borrow my sisters guitar and my girlfriend and I would learn to sing all the Melanie songs. Thank you for answering my question(s)...that's nice of you. :)

[@IanWalkerMelmanian]

@@guitarsandbanjos Article from the Sunday Register, Shrewsbury, N.J. - Sunday, January 10, 1982 SINCE BERTOLO STARTED SINGING, SHE HASN’T STOPPED By Hildy Wils-Fontaine LONG BRANCH - Three generations in the family of Polly Safka Bertolo prove her lifelong philosophy. "Once you sing, you never stop," she maintains. Bertolo, a grandmother now, started singing professionally at the age of 18 in New York. Now she is featured in the lounge at the Gables in Red Bank. Singing has been her life. So has her family. With Bertolo's talent and coaching, one of her daughters, Melanie, rose to stardom as a recording artist in the 1960s. Now Melanie has daughters of her own. Bringing the circle full course, her daughters, Jeordie, 6, and Leilah, 7, recently had a recording released, "Grandma, We Love You." It Is dedicated to Bertolo. At the Gables, Bertolo sings a lot of the songs that Billy Holiday Is noted for. "They are standard songs," she said. She also has picked up songs from the repertoires of June Christy and Chris Connors. She is featured with her husband, Sal Bertolo, who accompanies her at the piano and on the organ and guitar. Dick White is the drummer. They organized themselves professionally "because I wanted to sing." She has been entertaining actively in the nightclub circuit here and in southern New Jersey for the past five years. But Bertolo feels she has found her niche here. "I am back singing again, in the lounge, on the third floor, and I love it," she said. She "returned" to singing professionally after an Interlude of several years, during which she began her own business related to another of her creative talents, art. She is a free-lance artist, and is the owner of Paint ‘n’ Place at Monmouth Mall in Eatontown. That was started, she explained, to fill a need for artists and craftspeople who sought material from a good supply house. Combining the careers of merchant and singer required that she have some help at the business. Her husband runs It now, she said, "and I have the fun part of buying for it and talking to the people." The dual career does not allow her time to paint much. So she delves into another area of art, that of making jewellery. "Some day I will go back to art, the same as I did with singing. When you have so many outlets for crafts, you go from one thing to another," she commented. "Your Imagination runs away with you," she continued. Her challenge in this endeavor is "to try whatever new comes into the store. There Is no limit. When I look at something I feel l can make anything." And she will, she vows, "when I have time." Just as Melanie shares her mother’s singing ability, another daughter, Stephanie Sorentino, shares her mother's background and talents in arts and crafts. She is a dealer In antiques in Elberon, she paints, and she creates a lot of macramé. "We are an 'artsy, craftsy' family," Bertolo said, noting that Melanie, too, dabbles in the arts. Her specialty, Bertolo said, is pottery, and she does some painting. Bertolo has always encouraged her family's creativity. "Melanie has been singing since she was two. She started playing the ukulele when she was three. She was never afraid of the stage," she said. Bertolo had the guidelines and experiences of her own career to follow in encouraging Melanie’s career. "I always wanted to be a singer, so I sang in a high school group. We were called 'Four Cats and a Canary.' I was the canary. She hails from the days of Frank Sinatra concerts In New York, and recalls waiting for four hours in the rain, one time, just to see him. "It was a challenge, I could not get near this man because there were a thousand bobby soxers. " Bertolo had no formal training in voice. Art was the career she pursued initially. But she was always singing. "I remember buying records and singing along with them," she said. She would also purchase records that had only musical accompaniment, with no vocalizing, of the standards of the 1940s. "I would sing with the records, and got the feeling of being with a big band," she said. At the Gables the sound is a bit different It is a light jazz sound. Bertolo, along with her husband and White, and Richard Gaffney on bass, has recorded some selections. But her life these days is divided three ways, among her children, her art and her singing. One basic thread weaves its way throughout it all. “It’s singing. We were always singing somewhere, and I never really stopped,” she said.

[@2uconner]

So cute I love Mel....😊😊😊

[@karenhartigan1603]

I agree completely with her beingm in the rock n roll hall of Fame.

[@SunFlower3Happy]

Interesting Interview. She looks so young. OBEs!

[@aghyde519]

Great song.

[@goodkawz]

..... And some of us still haven't grown up.

[@malasangre583]

Her Over the Rainbow was . I took leave to be there to hear her and at Woodstock. Shortest hair there !

[@chrisbowen9043]

The song is We'll Be Friends

[@1758pk]

That hostess is a pure definition of "square"! Almost like she's trying to pretend she was there and a hippie when really she was turning here her nose up at the time and morally shocked by "those freaks".

[@apocalypseplough8089]

What did she mean when she said she wasn't fondly recognized by the underground press? ( 2:13 ) Not liberal enough for them? She's a Libertarian now, I believe

[@JimDorman]

Not sure, but I don't think she thinks she was given much respect.

[@donaldsmith3926]

You're trolling liberals five years ago? You got Trump; is he all you dreamed.

[@600322]

Which year? Born in the 40´s she is in a dying state as of 2023?

[@stellaercolani3810]

Why label people? So lame. She was a talented free spirit.

[@tomitstube]

until today i was unaware she performed at woodstock, i had the 4 record album that came out back then and don't remember her for some reason. i'll never for get going to the bathroom at home and country joe and the fish started playing their "f.u.c.k." song on my record, i couldn't wipe my ass fast enough before my mom came into my bedroom wanting to know what was playing, in the backround you could hear, "what's that spell? fuck, what's that spell, fuck..." she took my woodstock album from me the day I first played it.

[@timgervais1395]

I just so much Love ya!

[@carrychris2010]

OMG She has not aged!

[@Harvey3rdman]

OMG this was 24 years ago.

[@turtlemcclintock5321]

Good upload Ian, I likes :)

[@gavinh3435]

She is still so cute

[@jadeshannon5583]

A good interview.

[@dlhippie58]

a "Peacenik", as was I...☮♪♫♥♪♫♥☮

[@jadeshannon5583]

Melanie hasn;t lost her sense of humour

[@IanWalkerMelmanian]

Just uploaded the full 21-minute interview: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6W5inl5aciZqNk

[@turdfurgeson1110]

She's so cute in this but could the production be any cheaper with a stand up mic in her shot the whole time???

[@bulow453]

A cute song.

[@robjontay5052]

She gets her big break....at 18....it was called Woodstock...You know it?!

[@Burksforkdave57]

Awe come on, you know they didn't smoke that much pot at Woodstock.

[@markhayne5961]

She's even beautiful with blonde hair

[@desmirage]

❤️

[@stephencarpenteri2223]

There is something wrong with milennials. They can't seem to separate a performance from the performer. Listen to the music and it's message and forget about the irrelevant details.

[@davidfox3374]

I forgot how bad an interviewer Kathy Fountain was

[@knockedoutloaded279]

Hippies were cool..

[@jocolope]

En Francais like Mel Blanc's 57 cartoon words, "Mugsie turn it off the radio...