MELANIE MAKES HER STAND

Melanie Safka — generally referred to by her first name only — epitomized the persona of the eternal flower child, a shy, waif-like artist whose memorable appearance at Woodstock summed up the sentiments of the time: innocent, unassuming and singing songs that resonated with the optimism of the age. Her songs shared that sensibility, with “Beautiful People,” “Brand New Key,” “Peace Will Come” and “What Have They Done to My Song, Ma” among the many.

Now, as she celebrates the 50th anniversary reissue of her landmark classic Gather Me, as well as the half-century reissue of “Brand New Key,” its standout single, Melanie is looking back on a career that spawned more than 40 albums, some of which were released on her own record label, Neighborhood Records. That in itself was an unheard-of accomplishment at the time, one that came about as the result of her decision to defy her record company, ensure ownership of her material and make the music that she wanted to do, even despite the attempts of others to turn her into a cookie-cutter machine.

Woodstock wasn’t her only appearance of note; she also performed at the Isle of Wight, Glastonbury, the Meltdown Festival and the infamous Powder Ridge Rock