Mellissa Etheridge, born May 29, 1961 is known as being a charitable rights activist, breast cancer survivor, singer songwriter, soulful, rock, female vocalist, mother, and gay rights activist. She grew up in Leavenworth, Kansas to a Psychology teacher father, John and a dedicated homemaker, her mother, Elizabeth. She got her start in Los Angeles when she was noticed singing in the local venues by Bill Leopold, her first music representative. She was originally signed by A&M Records as a staff songwriter.