Folk singer Melanie Safka, best known for 1970s hits like “Brand New Key” and “Lay Down (Candles in the Rain),” passed away on January 23, 2024, at age 76. Rising to fame after her 1969 Woodstock performance, she went on to create her own label, Neighborhood Records, becoming the first woman to own an independent rock label. Her children described her as “one of the smartest, bravest, and most passionate women of her time.” Fans were invited to light a candle in her honor on January 24. Safka had been working on a new album before her passing.
