Lisette Melendez: Biography

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Genres:

Rock Music, Club Dance Music, Dance Pop Music

Decades Active:

1990's

Vocalist Lisette Melendez dedicated herself to singing at age 12. The East Harlem native needed to set herself apart from the dangers of growing up in the barrio, and took refuge in the sweet sounds of Bette Midler and Barbra Streisand. Singing along as she listened, Melendez studied their techniques and developed her own voice.

While in high school, the success of Lisa Lisa spurred Melendez into forming her own group. Their performances caught the attention of producer Carlos Berrios, who soon had Melendez providing backup and lead vocals on some of his club hits, including 1988's "Make Noise."

In 1991, Melendez's second single "Together Forever" was noticed by the heads of Fever Records, who signed her to a deal with their label; her debut for Fever, A Day in My Life, charted as a Hot 100 charts album and had two Hot 100 singles. Her second album, 1993's True to Life, also scored chart hits and acclaim, particularly in Japan, where she won a Grammy for Best New Artist. In 1998 Melendez released an album of Latin-based pop, Un Poco de Mi; later that year, she also released Imagination, on which she worked with producers like Kenny Diaz, Carlos Berrios, and Sal Abbatiello. Her greatest-hits album, which is a continuous mix by Carlos Berrios, was released in late 2000.

- Heather Phares, All Music Guide