Melissa Etheridge

Leavenworth, Kansas born blues rocker Melissa Etheridge has unwittingly led a life filled with controversy and society changing intrigue. In 1993, just before the release of her multi-platinum selling breakthrough album Yes I Am, Etheridge came out as a lesbian and announced that she would be exchanging vows with her partner Julie Cypher - ex-wife of award winning actor Lou Diamond Phillips. Yes I Am went on to sell more than six million copies worldwide and spawned three top ten hit singles "Come to My Window", "If I Wanted To" and "I'm the Only One". Etheridge's lyrics are always deeply personal, referencing her politics, social injustice and inequality, and of course her love life. When her album Your Little Secret was released in 1995, there was broad speculation that it reflected Etheridge's struggle to come to terms with Cypher's alleged affair with country singer-songwriter k.d. lang. The three hit singles "I Want to Come Over", "Nowhere to Go" and "Your Little Secret" all suggested betrayal and heartache. Your Little Secret was also her last album to achieve multi-platinum status.

Then, in 1996, she and her wife announced that they were having a child fathered by an anonymous sperm donor, and another child in 1998 from the same donor. The couple refused to disclose the identity of the father however after much media-pressure and speculation, in 2000 Etheridge announced that the father of both children was friend and superstar rocker David Crosby. In 2000 Etheridge's relationship drew controversy again when Etheridge and Cypher announced they were separating and that Cypher was reconsidering her sexuality. In 2001 Etheridge released Skin, an album dealing with her pain, anger and confusion about the break-up of her 12 year relationship.

In 2003 Etheridge exchanged vows in a commitment ceremony with girlfriend, actress Tammy Michaels. They have two children together and Etheridge shares custody of her children with Cypher. In 2005 Etheridge was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent chemotherapy. A lifelong environmentalist Etheridge wrote the theme song, "I Need to Wake Up", for the Al Gore documentary, An Inconvenient Truth. In 2006 she won the Academy Award for Best Original Song, for the track. In September 2007, Etheridge released her ninth studio album The Awakening, that deals with her life journey and includes references to her Christianity and love of God.