“Midnight Blue,” “Don’t Cry Out Loud,” “You Should Hear How She Talks About You” — these are among the memorable hits from Grammy award-winning singer/songwriter Melissa Manchester, who will perform “up close and personal” at the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College, Sunday, Feb. 8, 7 p.m.

Few singer/songwriters who debuted the 1970s still retain as large and dedicated a fan base as Manchester, as she continues to perform to enthusiastic crowds across the country.

A native of the Bronx, N.Y., and daughter of a bassoonist for the New York Metropolitan Opera, Manchester launched her musical career at an early age, attending the prestigious High School of the Performing Arts. She began singing commercial jingles at 15, and honed her songwriting craft at New York University, studying under Paul Simon.

Braving the Manhattan club scene, she was “discovered” by Bette Midler and Barry Manilow, who took her on as a back-up singer in 1971. Her first solo release, “Home to Myself,” debuted in 1973, including her original songs, many co-written by renowned songwriter Carol Bayer Sager. Her first Top Ten hit, “Midnight Blue,” came along in 1975 (from the album “Melissa”) and proved to set the standard for the compelling, sensual ballads that would epitomize her career.

Manchester’s credits include penning, “Whenever I Call You Friend,” which became a hit for Kenny Loggins and Stevie Nicks in 1978. In 1980, Manchester was the first singer to have two movie themes — “Looking Through the Eyes of Love” (“Ice Castles”) and “I’ll Never Say Good-bye” (“The Promise”) — nominated in the same year.

Nominated for Grammy’s Best Pop Female Vocal Performance for “Don’t Cry Out Loud” in 1979, she finally received the Grammy for Best Female Vocal Performance in 1981 for “You Should Hear How She Talks About You.”

In addition to writing and touring, Manchester stoked her acting skills, appearing in or writing for movies, theatrical productions and television shows. In 2007, she reconnected with Barry Manilow, recording a cover of the Carole King classic “You’ve Got a Friend,” on Manilow’s, “The Greatest Songs of the Seventies.”

Most recently, Manchester, inspired by a friend living with breast cancer, wrote and released “The Power of Ribbons” — the first single by Manchester available for download and sale on-line. All royalties generated by the sale of the song go directly to breast cancer research. To hear a clip or to purchase, visit www.melissa-manchester.com/.

Manchester has also been honored by the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, recently receiving the Governor’s Award for her contributions to the music and recording arts.

Tickets for Melissa Manchester — $25 for balcony and orchestra and $30 for plaza — are available on the Web at www.durangoconcerts.com or, by calling 247-7657. All sales final.

Showtime is 7 p.m., with doors to the Concert Hall and concessions, serving beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverages and snacks, opening at 6 p.m.