History of Melissa Etheridge in Timeline
Melissa Etheridge is an American musician known for her work in rock music. Her self-titled debut album achieved underground success and earned her a Grammy nomination. Subsequent albums like 'Brave and Crazy' and 'Never Enough' further solidified her career, with the latter's single 'Ain't It Heavy' securing Etheridge her first Grammy Award.
May 29, 1961: Birth of Melissa Etheridge
Melissa Lou Etheridge was born on May 29, 1961.
1979: High School Graduation
Melissa Etheridge graduated from Leavenworth High School in 1979.
1986: Discovery and Songwriting for Film
Melissa Etheridge was discovered at a bar in Pasadena, California, which led to her signing a publishing deal with Island Records to write songs for films, including the movie "Weeds" in 1986.
1988: Diamond Spotlight Award
Melissa Etheridge received the "Diamond Spotlight Award" at the Diamond Awards Show in Belgium in 1988.
1988: Release of Debut Album
Melissa Etheridge released her self-titled debut album in 1988, which became an underground hit.
1988: Melissa Etheridge's Debut Album Release and Underground Success
Melissa Etheridge released her self-titled debut album in 1988. The album achieved underground success, reaching number 22 on the Billboard 200.
1989: Release of "Brave and Crazy" and Building a Fanbase
Melissa Etheridge released her second album, "Brave and Crazy," in 1989 and embarked on a tour, building a loyal fanbase.
1989: Release of "Brave and Crazy" and Grammy Nominations
Melissa Etheridge released her second album, "Brave and Crazy," in 1989. The album, following a similar style to her debut, earned her two Grammy nominations.
1990: Juno Award for International Entertainer of the Year
Melissa Etheridge won the Juno Award for International Entertainer of the Year at the 20th Annual Juno Awards in 1990.
1990: Establishment of the GLAAD Media Awards
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) established the GLAAD Media Awards in 1990 to acknowledge fair, accurate, and inclusive portrayals of the LGBT community in mainstream media.
August 1991: Death of John Etheridge
John Etheridge, Melissa Etheridge's father, died in August 1991.
1992: Establishment of Performing Arts Scholarship
Melissa Etheridge established a performing arts scholarship at Leavenworth High School in honor of her father in 1992.
1992: Release of "Never Enough"
Melissa Etheridge released her third album, "Never Enough," in 1992, which, while not reaching the top of the charts, was seen as a more personal and mature work.
1992: Release of "Never Enough" and First Grammy Win
Melissa Etheridge released her third album, "Never Enough," in 1992. The album's lead single, "Ain't It Heavy," earned her her first Grammy Award.
1992: Support for Bill Clinton's Presidential Campaign
Melissa Etheridge showed her support for Bill Clinton during his 1992 presidential campaign.
January 1993: Public Coming Out
Melissa Etheridge publicly came out as a lesbian in January 1993 at the Triangle Ball, a celebration of President Bill Clinton's first inauguration.
January 1993: Melissa Etheridge Comes Out as Lesbian
Melissa Etheridge publicly came out as a lesbian in January 1993.
September 21, 1993: Release of "Yes I Am"
Melissa Etheridge released her breakthrough album, "Yes I Am," on September 21, 1993.
1993: Boycott of Colorado Shows
Melissa Etheridge boycotted performing in Colorado in 1993 due to the state's passage of Amendment 2.
1993: Release of Breakthrough Album "Yes I Am"
Melissa Etheridge released "Yes I Am" in 1993, which became her mainstream breakthrough album, achieving significant commercial success and critical acclaim.
July 1994: Interview in The Advocate
In July 1994, Melissa Etheridge's relationship with Julie Cypher was covered in The Advocate, featuring an interview where she discussed their decision to have children.
1994: VH-1 Honor and Performance
Melissa Etheridge was honored by VH-1 for her work with AIDS organization L.A. Shanti in 1994. She performed "I'm the Only One" and a duet with Sammy Hagar, covering The Rolling Stones' "Honky Tonk Women."
February 1995: "If I Wanted To" Single Debut
The single "If I Wanted To" from the album "Yes I Am" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 25 in February 1995.
1995: Release of "Your Little Secret"
In 1995, Melissa Etheridge released her album "Your Little Secret," which became the highest-charting album of her career, reaching No. 6 on the Billboard album charts.
1995: Platinum Certification for Earlier Albums
Melissa Etheridge's albums "Melissa Etheridge" and "Never Enough" earned RIAA certifications of 2x platinum and platinum, respectively, in 1995.
1996: ASCAP Pop Songwriter of the Year Award
Melissa Etheridge received the ASCAP's Pop Songwriter of the Year Award in 1996.
1997: Birth of Bailey Jean Cypher
Melissa Etheridge's first child, Bailey Jean Cypher, was born in 1997.
1998: Birth of Beckett Cypher
Melissa Etheridge welcomed her second child, Beckett Cypher, in 1998.
October 1999: Release of "Breakdown" Album
Melissa Etheridge released her album "Breakdown" in October 1999, which peaked at No. 12 on the Billboard charts and received a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Album.
1999: Release of "Breakdown" Album
Melissa Etheridge released her album "Breakdown" in 1999.
September 19, 2000: Separation from Julie Cypher
Melissa Etheridge and Julie Cypher announced their separation on September 19, 2000.
2000: Grammy Award Nominations
Melissa Etheridge received two Grammy Award nominations for her single "Angels Would Fall" from the album "Breakdown" in 2000.
2001: Release of "Skin" Album
In 2001, Melissa Etheridge released "Skin," a deeply personal album that explored the aftermath of her breakup with Julie Cypher.
2001: Gibson Guitar Award for Best Rock Guitarist: Female
Melissa Etheridge was awarded the Gibson Guitar Award for Best Rock Guitarist: Female in 2001.
2002: Live Recording at the Roxy
In 2002, Melissa Etheridge recorded the last two songs of her album "One Way Out" live at the Roxy in Los Angeles.
2002: Publication of "The Truth Is: My Life in Love and Music"
Melissa Etheridge released her autobiography, "The Truth Is: My Life in Love and Music," in 2002, sharing her personal and professional journey.
2002: Relationship with Tammy Lynn Michaels Begins
Melissa Etheridge started dating actress Tammy Lynn Michaels in 2002.
September 20, 2003: Commitment Ceremony with Tammy Lynn Michaels
Melissa Etheridge and Tammy Lynn Michaels had a commitment ceremony on September 20, 2003.
October 2004: Melissa Etheridge's Breast Cancer Diagnosis
In October 2004, Melissa Etheridge was diagnosed with breast cancer.
October 2004: Breast Cancer Diagnosis
Melissa Etheridge received a breast cancer diagnosis in October 2004.
2004: Release of "Lucky" Album
Melissa Etheridge's eighth album, "Lucky," was released on February 10, 2004, during which time she was in a relationship with actress Tammy Lynn Michaels.
September 10, 2005: Performance at "ReAct Now: Music & Relief"
Melissa Etheridge participated in the "ReAct Now: Music & Relief" telethon on September 10, 2005, to support victims of Hurricane Katrina, debuting a new song, "Four Days."
October 2005: Appearance on Dateline NBC
In October 2005, Melissa Etheridge and Tammy Lynn Michaels appeared on Dateline NBC to discuss Etheridge's battle with cancer and her use of medicinal marijuana during chemotherapy.
November 2005: Performance on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno"
In November 2005, Melissa Etheridge performed her song "I Run for Life" on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno."
2005: Grammy Awards Performance
Following her chemotherapy treatment, Melissa Etheridge made a powerful return to the stage at the 2005 Grammy Awards, performing a tribute to Janis Joplin.
2005: Grammy Performance and Release of "Greatest Hits"
Melissa Etheridge returned to the Grammy stage in 2005 after battling breast cancer, performing a tribute to Janis Joplin with Joss Stone. She also released her first compilation album, "Greatest Hits: The Road Less Traveled," which achieved commercial success.
May 13, 2006: Honorary Doctor of Music Degree from Berklee College of Music
Melissa Etheridge received an Honorary Doctor of Music Degree from Berklee College of Music during their commencement ceremony at Northeastern University's Matthews Arena in Boston, Massachusetts, on May 13, 2006. She also delivered the commencement address.
August 2006: Production and Vocals for "Brother Bear 2" Soundtrack
Melissa Etheridge contributed her vocal talents and production skills to the soundtrack of the animated film "Brother Bear 2" in August 2006.
October 17, 2006: Birth of Twins
Tammy Lynn Michaels gave birth to fraternal twins, Johnnie Rose and Miller Steven, on October 17, 2006, conceived via an anonymous sperm donor.
2006: Biodiesel Tour
As an environmental advocate, Melissa Etheridge toured the US and Canada using biodiesel in 2006.
2006: GLAAD Media Awards
At the 17th GLAAD Media Awards in 2006, Melissa Etheridge was honored with the Stephen F. Kolzak Award for promoting equal rights and the Outstanding Music Artist award for "Greatest Hits: The Road Less Traveled."
2006: Academy Award and Berklee College Honor
Melissa Etheridge received an Academy Award for Best Original Song for "I Need to Wake Up" from the film "An Inconvenient Truth." She was also awarded an Honorary Doctor of Music Degree from Berklee College of Music in 2006.
2006: Academy Award for Best Original Song
Melissa Etheridge won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for "I Need to Wake Up," featured in the documentary "An Inconvenient Truth."
July 7, 2007: Performance at Live Earth Concert
Melissa Etheridge performed at the Live Earth concert on July 7, 2007, raising awareness about environmental issues.
September 25, 2007: Release of "The Awakening" Album
Melissa Etheridge's tenth studio album, "The Awakening," was released on September 25, 2007.
December 11, 2007: Performance at Nobel Peace Prize Concert
Melissa Etheridge graced the stage at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert on December 11, 2007, in Oslo, Norway, which was broadcast globally.
August 27, 2008: Performance at the Democratic National Convention
Melissa Etheridge showed her support by performing at the U.S. Democratic National Convention on August 27, 2008.
October 2008: Plan to Marry Tammy Lynn Michaels
Following the overturn of California's ban on same-sex marriage, Melissa Etheridge and Tammy Lynn Michaels announced their intention to marry in October 2008.
November 2008: Civil Disobedience Against Proposition 8
In November 2008, in response to the passing of Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriage in California, Melissa Etheridge announced her refusal to pay state taxes as an act of civil disobedience.
2009: Support for Rick Warren's Invitation to Obama's Inauguration
Melissa Etheridge voiced her support for Barack Obama's decision to invite Pastor Rick Warren to speak at his 2009 Presidential inauguration, hoping it would encourage dialogue between gay and straight Christians.
April 15, 2010: Separation from Tammy Lynn Michaels
Melissa Etheridge and Tammy Lynn Michaels announced their separation on April 15, 2010.
2010: Featured in Breast Cancer Docudrama "1 a Minute"
Melissa Etheridge shared her experience with breast cancer in the docudrama "1 a Minute," released in 2010.
September 2011: Hollywood Walk of Fame Star
Melissa Etheridge received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in September 2011.
September 27, 2011: Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Melissa Etheridge was honored with her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on September 27, 2011, becoming the 2,450th recipient.
2011: Broadway Debut in "American Idiot"
Expanding her creative horizons, Melissa Etheridge took on the role of St. Jimmy in the Broadway musical "American Idiot" from February 1st to 6th, 2011.
May 2012: Child Support Settlement
Melissa Etheridge and Tammy Lynn Michaels reached a settlement in their two-year child support battle in May 2012.
2013: Announcement of Engagement to Linda Wallem
Following the U.S. Supreme Court's rulings in United States v. Windsor and Hollingsworth v. Perry, Melissa Etheridge shared her plans to marry her partner, Linda Wallem, in 2013.
2013: Comments on Angelina Jolie's Double Mastectomy
In 2013, Melissa Etheridge called Angelina Jolie's decision to undergo a preventative double mastectomy a "fearful" choice, sparking criticism from medical experts.
2013: New Year's Eve Performance in Times Square
Melissa Etheridge helped ring in the new year with a performance in New York City's Times Square for the 2013-2014 New Year's Eve celebration, debuting her song "Uprising of Love."
January 28, 2014: Release of "Uprising of Love" Single
Melissa Etheridge's single, "Uprising of Love," was released on iTunes on January 28, 2014.
May 31, 2014: Marriage to Linda Wallem
Melissa Etheridge and Linda Wallem got married on May 31, 2014, at San Ysidro Ranch in Montecito, California.
July 1, 2014: Release of "Take My Number" Single
Melissa Etheridge released "Take My Number," the first single from her 13th studio album, "This Is M.E.," on July 1, 2014.
September 30, 2014: Release of "This Is M.E." Album
Melissa Etheridge's 13th studio album, "This Is M.E.," featuring a unique cover art mosaic created from fan photos, was released on September 30, 2014.
December 12, 2014: Closing Show of "This Is M.E." Tour
On December 12, 2014, Melissa Etheridge concluded the U.S. leg of her "This Is M.E." tour with a performance at the Orpheum Theater in Los Angeles, which was recorded for a live album.
2014: Cannabis-Infused Wine Venture
Melissa Etheridge partnered with a California medical marijuana dispensary to produce cannabis-infused wine in 2014.
2014: Performance at WorldPride Opening Ceremonies
Melissa Etheridge was among the performers at the opening ceremonies of WorldPride in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, in 2014.
June 9, 2015: Release of "A Little Bit of Me: Live in L.A." Album
Melissa Etheridge released the live album "A Little Bit of Me: Live in L.A." on June 9, 2015, capturing her performance at the Orpheum Theater in Los Angeles on December 12, 2014.
2015: Appearance on "Who Do You Think You Are?"
Melissa Etheridge was featured on an episode of the genealogy documentary series "Who Do You Think You Are?" in 2015.
October 6, 2016: Release of "MEmphis Rock and Soul" Album
Melissa Etheridge paid homage to blues legends with her 14th studio album, "MEmphis Rock and Soul," a collection of blues covers, released on October 6, 2016.
2016: Use of Hearing Aids
An article in The New York Times revealed that Melissa Etheridge uses hearing aids, in 2016.
April 12, 2019: Release of "The Medicine Show" Album
Melissa Etheridge released her 15th studio album, "The Medicine Show," featuring the single "Faded by Design," on April 12, 2019.
2019: Daughter's Graduation
Melissa Etheridge's daughter, Bailey Cypher, graduated from Columbia University in 2019.
May 13, 2020: Death of Son Beckett Cypher
On May 13, 2020, Melissa Etheridge shared the news of her son Beckett Cypher's death at 21 due to opioid addiction.
September 17, 2021: One Way Out Album Release
On September 17, 2021, Melissa Etheridge released her album "One Way Out" on BMG, featuring songs written in the late 1980s and early 1990s but rerecorded with her original band.
2021: Release of "One Way Out"
Melissa Etheridge released her 16th studio album, "One Way Out," in 2021.
March 2022: Strategic Advisor for Inpink
In March 2022, Melissa Etheridge was announced as a strategic advisor for the Inpink platform by Gritty In Pink, alongside Arlan Hamilton and Live Nation.
September 2023: Premiere of "Melissa Etheridge: My Window"
Melissa Etheridge premiered her one-woman show, "Melissa Etheridge: My Window," at Circle in the Square Theatre in New York City in September 2023.
