On Wednesday, May 16 at 8 pm, South Florida audiences have a chance to hear the raspy voice and poetic lyrics of rock star Melissa Etheridge in her Fearless Love tour. Etheridge is best known for chart-toppers such as “I Need to Wake Up,” “Come to My Window,” “I Want to Come Over,” “The Weakness in Me,” and “Angels Would Fall.” Her latest, Fearless Love, is her tenth studio album, the original title of which was Songs of Love and Fear. Fearless Love was inspired by her children and was produced by longtime friend John Shanks, who also produced Sheryl Crow and Michelle Branch.
Changes for a Rock Icon
Etheridge’s recent past has been marked by turning points. 2011 saw Etheridge, 50, receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and the year before, she split from her wife of nine years, Tammy Lynn Michaels. In 2004, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and responded to her hair loss with trademark bravery, singing a cover of India Arie’s “I Am Not My Hair” while at the Grammy’s. In 2007, she performed at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo, along with several other artists. Before that, she won two Grammy awards – one for 1989’s song “Ain’t It Heavy,” and one for “Come to My Window” off her groundbreaking 1993 album Yes I Am, which playfully hinted at questions then being asked about her sexual orientation. Etheridge is known for her confessional lyrics, classic-rock style, and passionate delivery. She is also a committed LGBT activist since her own public coming out in 1992 and often supports gay rights issues. In spite of her long history as an LGBT activist, she will appear at her very first Pride event in 2012.
Green Activist
In the last several years, Etheridge has been involved in the environmental movement, most notably offering support to Al Gore and contributing the Academy-award winning song “I Need to Wake Up” to his documentary An Inconvenient Truth. Her website offers tips on green living. In 2006, she toured America and Canada using biodiesel and has a long track record of support for environmental and green issues.
If You Go
Melissa Etheridge will be at Hard Rock Live on May 16, 2012 at 8 pm. For more information, including ticket prices and availability, go here.
