I don't begrudge Melanie Safka's success with the roller skate love song, "Brand New Key", which I still sing along with-- in private. I would guess that song fed and clothed her (and her family) for many a year (although her husband, her record producer, was successful as well). The song probably brought otherwise unaware listeners to her body of work. Like me, a high school hard rocker. I still have "Gather Me". the first Melanie record I bought. I used to be asked to bring records to parties. Melanie's face on that cover was vandalized one night. I took it personally. But the act bonded me to her. She and I were of the same generation. God speed, Melanie
