Jan. 26, 2024 By zgewelb Jan. 26, 2024 By Ethan Marshall Musician and Astoria native Melanie Safka, best known for her hit songs “Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)” and “Brand New Key,” died Tuesday at the age of 76, her family said in a statement on Facebook. Better known by her stage name “Melanie,” she was among those who performed at the legendary Woodstock Festival in 1969. She was one of just three solo female performers at the event. It was her experience playing at Woodstock that inspired her to write her song Lay Down (Candles in the Rain),… Read more »