Melissa Etheridge
Melissa Etheridge was born May 29, 1961, in Leavenworth, Kansas. Etheridge attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston, but dropped out after a year to move to Los Angelos, California. Etheridge got her break in 1986 when Island Records signed her to sing for movie soundtracks. Although she produced several albums, it was not until her third and fourth albums that Etheridge reached musical stardom. She won a Grammy for best female rock vocal performance in 1992 and 1994 for her hits “Ain’t It Heavy” and “Come to My Window.” Etheridge had several other songs nominated for Grammys as well. She and her partner Julie Cypher, had two children. The couple separated in 2000. Etheridge and her partner Tammy Lynn Michaels, had twins. In 2004 Etheridge was diagnosed with breast cancer, which she defeated. In 2011 Etheridge and Michaels separated after the production of her 11th album, Fearless Love.
Entry: Etheridge, Melissa
Author: Kansas Historical Society
Author information: The Kansas Historical Society is a state agency charged with actively safeguarding and sharing the state's history.
Date Created: May 2012
Date Modified: May 2019
The author of this article is solely responsible for its content.
