Melissa Etheridge
Rock musician, Grammy winner, LGBTQ+ advocate
Melissa Lou Etheridge (born May 29, 1961) is an American rock musician, singer, and songwriter who emerged as one of the most successful female rock artists of the late 20th century. Born in Leavenworth, Kansas, she began performing in Los Angeles clubs before gaining widespread recognition with her 1988 debut album. Known for her distinctive raspy voice, confessional songwriting style, and energetic live performances, Etheridge has sold millions of albums worldwide. Her hits include 'Come to My Window,' 'I'm the Only One,' and 'Like the Way I Do.' Beyond music, Etheridge is a prominent LGBTQ+ advocate who publicly came out in 1997 during an Equality Fund benefit concert, becoming one of the first major rock stars to do so. She won Academy and Golden Globe Awards for the song 'I'm Not Afraid' from the 2002 film 'An Inconvenient Truth.' Etheridge has also appeared in films and television, expanding her artistic reach while maintaining her touring schedule and continuing to release new music.
Entertainment
American
1961
Thinking about the name
Mellisa
Greek origin
“A respelled variant of Melissa, from the Greek melissa, meaning 'honey bee.' The double-l softens the original while the -a ending maintains the classic feminine form. Mellisa was particularly popular in the 1980s-90s as parents personalized the already-common Melissa with fresh spellings.”