Watch CBS News

Woodstock-Era Legend Melanie To Play Free Concert In Evanston

EVANSTON, Ill. (CBS) -- Paul McCartney is not the only icon of 1960s pop music coming to town this month.

On Tuesday night, folk-pop singer and original Woodstock Festival veteran Melanie will play a one-night-only concert along the lakeshore in Evanston.

Melanie, whose full name is Melanie Safka, will appear for a free concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Dawes Park, at Church Street and Sheridan Road, about a block from the southern edge of the Northwestern University campus.

Melanie is known for the songs "Brand New Key" and "Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)," as well as a rain-soaked performance at the Woodstock Festival in 1969.

She was voted top female vocalist by Billboard in 1972, and has appeared twice at the Wight Festival, in 1970 and 2010, the City of Evanston recalled, posting on Evanston Patch.

She has put out 30 albums and has been performing for more than 40 years, but she has been making fewer and fewer appearances in recent years, the city says.

The series continues Thursday night, when Classic Rock cover band Expo '76 appears at Brummel Park, at Brummel Street and Elmwood Avenue just north of the border with Chicago. The first and only food truck in based Evanston, Hummingbird Kitchen, will be offering street food, along with four other Chicago-based food trucks.

As for McCartney, he will appear at Wrigley Field on Sunday and Monday night. The shows are both sold out.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.