Etheridge has produced eight albums since signing her first major recording contract within 1987. 3 of the two use no more multi-platinum: Melissa Etheridge (1988), Yes I Am (1993) and The Little Secret (1996). Both others went atomic number 78 & a second gold.

She has won a Grammy award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance twice within her career, for the song "Ain't It Heavy" inside 1992 and "Come to My Window", in 1994.

Etheridge is besides notable as a gay rights activist, having publicly come out as a lesbian during President Bill Clinton's first inauguration around January 1993. She got an extended-semipermanent partnership by owning Julie Cypher, with whom she experienced deuce tikes vithe a sperm donor, David Crosby. When splitting from either Cypher she went within in 2003 to marry actress Tammy Lynn Michaels.

Though limited within acting case it has been announced that the sitcom is in production to star Etheridge as the lesbian swallow her heterosexual male right friend (together raising a third individual's little one.) Critics use predicted that it is "like Will & Grace except cancelled."

Around October 2004 she was diagnosed using breast cancer, but is potential to produce the fully recovery. At a 2005 Grammy Awards, she made the go to to the stage &, although bald from either chemotherapy, performed in tribute to Janis Joplin with Joss Stone. Etheridge was praised for her performance, which was considered one of a highlights of the indicate. Around August 2005 announced that she & Tammy Lynn Michaels are considering having a child together.

Saturday, September 10th 2005, Melissa participated within ReAct At present: Music & Relief, a telethon in support for the victims of Hurricane Katrina, MTV, VH1, and CMT. ReAct Currently: Music & Relief, part of an ongoing effort by MTV, VH1, CMT, will seek to raise funds for the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, America's Second Harvest. Melissthe introduced a recently song specially written for the occasion known as 4 Times. A a cappella song included themes & images that were on a news in the period of the aftermath of the hurricane.

Discography
Melissa Etheridge (1988) Brave and Crazy (1989) Never Enough (1992) Yes I Am (1993) Your Little Secret (1995) Breakdown (1999) Skin (2001) Lucky (2004) Greatest Hits The Road Less Traveled (2005)

Singles

|rowspan="2"|Year |rowspan="2"| Title |colspan="4"| Chart positions |rowspan="2"| Album |-

|US Hot 100 |US Modern Rock |US Mainstream Rock |UK |- | 1989 | "No Souvenirs" | - | #18 | - | - | Brave and Crazy |}