Melanie Janene Thornton May 13, 1967 November 24, 2001
» I know we don't have any guarantee that we're gonna live tomorrow, that's why I live every day
as it was my last «
Melanie Thornton was an american Soul and R&B Singer
who fronted the famous Eurodance group »La Bouche«
who formed worldwide hits such as »Be My Lover« and »Sweet Dreams« in the mid-1990s.
She forged a successful solo career in Germany before her untimely death in November 2001 Melanie Thornton is most famous for her popular Christmas ballad »Wonderful Dream (Holidays are coming)«
Personal Life & Music Career
Melanie was born in Charleston, South Carolina and began studying voice from the age of six, as well as learning to play the piano and the clarinet. She financed her college studies with appearances in talent shows and smaller band concerts. She had long dreamed of a career in music and in February 1992 Melanie went to Germany. Her sister lived there with her U.S. Army husband. His uncle, a singer and piano player, encouraged Melanie to give a german nightclub a try. She tried it and soon found work in studios recording demos. It was her recording of the song »Sweet Dreams«
that caught the attention of producer Frank Farian, the mastermind of the '80s duo Milli Vanilli. Farian took Melanie under his wing, teaming her with rapper Lane McCray, after the first few notes Melanie sang, the two men decided she would be the right fit as female vocalist for their long dreamed of project »La Bouche« Melanie left La Bouche in February 2000 and signed a record deal with Sony BMG/Epic Records. Her first solo single was released in November 2000, titled »Love How You Love Me«
The follow-up single was »Heartbeat«. On May 7, 2001 Melanie released her first solo album »Ready To Fly« under the label X-Cell Records
Melanie has been a very religious woman, before her performances she would always say a small prayer with her background singers backstage. During her final interview which may have eerily foreshadowed her tragic death, she is quoted as saying » I know we don't have any guarantee that we're gonna live tomorrow.
That's why I live every day as it was my last «
November 24, 2001
the night Melanie died in a plane crash near Bassersdorf by Zurich in Switzerland. This was just two days before her new single and album was going to be released. She gave her final performance in Leipzig and then drove to Berlin where she took the ill-fated plane to Zurich for radio and TV appearances to promote her new single »Wonderful Dream« and her album »Ready To Fly«
»Wonderful Dream« is a a very popular classical Christmas ballad which was recorded for an annual german Coca-Cola TV commercial. It has also been used in Christmas Coca-Cola TV commercials in the UK. The single »In Your Life«
was released on November 25, 2002
to commemorate the first anniversary of Melanie’s death
The Melanie Thornton Youth Arts Foundation
The Melanie Thornton Youth Arts Foundation, founded by Melanie’s family,
is a non-profit organization that provides creative arts avenues for young children and teens
» I really hope that my life can encourage other people, no matter what their dream is, to at least go for it, go after it, because nothing will make you happier than
doing what you really love doing « - Melanie Thornton
I JUST WANT TO TAKE THE TIME TO SAY, THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE FOR US. LORD, THERE IS NONE LIKE YOU. WE PRAY FOR YOUR KINGDOM TO COME, THY WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN..." LORD, LET US BE EVER SO SENSITIVE TO THE CALLING THAT YOU HAVE ON OUR LIVES.. LET US NOT FORGET THAT IT'S NOT BY MIGHT, NOT BY POWER, BUT BY YOUR SPIRIT, SAYS THE LORD...." WE ARE YOUR VESSELS, USE US LORD. AS I PRAY ALWAYS MORE OF YOU AND LESS OF US, "IN THE MATCHLESS NAME OF JESUS CHRIST..." AMEN
"Living the gospel does not mean the storms of life will pass us by, but we will be better prepared to face them with serenity and peace. 'Search diligently, pray always, and be believing,' the Lord admonished, 'and all things shall work together for your good, if ye walk uprightly.'" --Joseph B. Wirthlin,
