When Melanie Anne Safka [1947-2024] graduated Long Branch High School, she had no idea she’d become a cultural icon (known only by her first name), perform bravely by herself at the Woodstock festival in 1969 (capturing the heart of a generation) or have a composition of hers that she never even properly recorded be brought back to life by an acoustic goth folk cabaret duo from Brooklyn, Charming Disaster.

Known for her iconic performance at the 1969 Woodstock festival, Melanie [Long Branch] once recorded a cover version of “Rag Doll” by The Four Seasons [Newark] in 1984. The Fabulous Courettes, the duo from Brazil and Denmark, have taken Melanie’s cover and made a monster out of it that should fire-breathe your speakers into oblivion.