Melissa Manchester, born on February 15, 1951, in the Bronx, New York, is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She grew up in a musical family; her father, David Manchester, was a bassoonist for the New York Metropolitan Opera, and her mother was a pioneering fashion designer.

She started her musical journey early, learning the piano and harpsichord at the Manhattan School of Music and singing commercial jingles at the age of 15. She studied songwriting at New York University under the guidance of Paul Simon.

Her career took off in the 1970s when she became a member of the Harlettes, Bette Midler's backup singers. Her debut album, "Home to Myself," was released in 1973, and she gained commercial success with her second album, "Melissa," which included the hit single "Midnight Blue" in 1975.

Throughout her career, she has released numerous albums and singles, including "Don't Cry Out Loud" and "Hey Ricky," which won her a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 1983.

Melissa Manchester has also appeared in various films and television shows, showcasing her versatility as an artist. She made a cameo appearance as a piano player in the 2011 independent film "Dirty Girl" and has been a guest host on shows like "Solid Gold."

She married Kevin De Remer on May 1, 1982, and they have two children together, Nathan Lewis Colville DeRemer and Hannah Zoë DeRemer.