Photos by Shannon Guest – Melissa Etheridge is an American singer-songwriter and musician known for her deep, raspy voice and powerful lyrics. She was born on May 29, 1961, in Leavenworth, Kansas. Etheridge began playing the guitar at a young age and started writing her own songs in her teenage years.
In 1988, Etheridge released her self-titled debut album, which included the hit single “Bring Me Some Water.” The album gained critical acclaim, and Etheridge won her first Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance. She continued to release successful albums throughout the 1990s, including “Yes I Am” (1993) and “Your Little Secret” (1995), which spawned several chart-topping hits.
Etheridge’s music often explores themes of love, heartbreak, and personal growth, and her lyrics are known for their raw honesty. She has been open about her personal life and has used her platform to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and breast cancer awareness, as she herself is a breast cancer survivor.
Throughout her career, Etheridge has received numerous accolades, including two additional Grammy Awards, an Academy Award for Best Original Song for “I Need to Wake Up” from the documentary “An Inconvenient Truth,” and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She continues to release new music and tour regularly, cementing her status as one of the most influential female rock musicians of her generation.
