Melissa Manchester Biography

Melissa Manchester, born on February 15, 1951, in the Bronx, New York, is a celebrated American singer, songwriter, and actress. Growing up in a musical family, with a fashion designer mother and a professional bassoonist father, Manchester was immersed in the arts from an early age. She developed her musical talents by learning the harpsichord and piano and attended the High School of Performing Arts. By the time she was just fifteen, she was already lending her voice to commercials. She further honed her skills at New York University while performing in local clubs throughout her college years.

Her breakthrough came when Bette Midler discovered her during one of these performances and hired her as a backup singer. In 1973, Manchester released her debut album, "Home to Myself." Two years later, her sophomore effort, "Melissa," produced the hit single "Midnight Blue," which peaked at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. However, it was her iconic song "Don't Cry Out Loud," released in 1979, that truly solidified her place in the music industry, earning her a Grammy Award for Best Pop Female Vocal Performance.

Throughout the late 1970s and 1980s, Manchester continued to release successful music, notably "Through the Eyes of Love," which was nominated for an Academy Award in 1979, and the Grammy-winning "You Should Hear How She Talks About You" in 1982. She enjoyed several chart-topping hits, and her contributions to the adult contemporary genre became a significant part of her identity as an artist.

In addition to her music career, Manchester branched out into acting throughout the 1980s and 1990s. She appeared in films like "For the Boys" alongside Bette Midler and participated in various musical theater productions. Notably, she delivered the title song for the animated film "Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland," showcasing her versatility as both a musician and an actress.

As the years progressed, Manchester continued to evolve as an artist. In 2004, she made a return with "When I Look Down That Road," followed by a successful foray into crowdfunding for her album "You Gotta Love the Life" in 2015. Her collaborations included notable artists like Keb' Mo' and Al Jarreau, and she released her subsequent album "The Fellas" in 2017, paying tribute to male influences in her career.

Recently, Manchester has remained active in her music career, working on her 24th album, "RE:VIEW," which reimagines some of her classic hits while addressing contemporary social and political climates. In 2021, she was honored with the New Standard Award from the Great American Songbook Foundation, recognizing her enduring impact on music. Most recently, in 2023, Manchester took on the role of Mrs. Brice in the US national tour of the Broadway musical "Funny Girl," further demonstrating her commitment to her craft and ability to captivate audiences across various platforms.