Kansas-born, blues-inspired singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge got her start when she picked up a guitar at the age of 8. After graduating from Boston's prestigious Berklee College of Music, she moved to Los Angeles, where her Janis Joplin–style vocals caught the attention of Island Records founder Chris Blackwell. Etheridge released her self-titled debut on Island in 1988, and it remained on the charts for 65 weeks, peaking at No. 22. Since then, she has won two Grammy Awards, Canada's Juno Prize for Best International Entertainer of the Year and has developed a reputation for her political involvement because of her work with women's causes and her open lesbianism. In 2004 she released her sixth album, Lucky, but had to cancel the supporting tour when she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

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• Melissa Etheridge — Deluxe Edition

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• Melissa Etheridge Diagnosed With Cancer, Cancels Tour

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