On June 5th 2024, the sudden passing of Irish singer Rose-Marie Kane filled me with sorrow.
It was only a few days before she passed that we had an interview which developed into a new friendship in my life.
Rose-Marie’s funeral took place on the 20th of June at the St. Michael’s cemetery in Killeen, Northern Ireland. It was a day full of sadness for the ones who’ve known and loved her all along.
I understood why everybody loved her after our chat. She made me laugh and she made me cry for someone who only knew her for a few days.
It’s just the kind of person she was, she was no stranger to the world. Her existence in one’s life was enough to believe that purity, innocence and joy can coexist in a human being.
Her last words to me were, “I could chat with you for hours. This is how I enjoy my interactions with people and I hope to make everyone have a laugh. And I hope I gave you a laugh or two.” as she giggled to herself.
Rose-Marie was set to perform a concert at the Joe Longthorne Theatre in Blackpool on the 28th of June. She was preparing for the show and was ready to make a trip to London to attend viewings and participate in promotions for her future shows.
I would have had the pleasure to meet her and dive deeper into her purpose as an artist who serenaded her audience.
Since she is no longer with us, I have 19 albums to get to know her and it feels comforting to know that her songs came from her omnipresent soul.
The stage was her best friend, her passion to sing for the audience was extraordinary. Her presence was illuminating and like a warm hug tied with invisible strings, made of her powerful yet soothing voice.
She said, “I love interacting with my audience. I prefer to have an intimate show, which is what the trend is now. It gives me a chance to know my audience, know who I’m singing to and at the end of the day, it should be a party.”
If she could make Princess Diana walk up to her after a show at the London Palladium to compliment her performance and her humour, you can imagine how magnetic her personality was.
She had total command over the stage with her heavenly vocals and a few quirks that made everyone fall in love with her instantly.
Her performance of “I Will Love You All My Life” several years ago really stood out to me as a first-time listener. As a typical journalist would do, I sat down with a cup of tea and did some research on her music career before the interview.
Watching this video changed my whole approach towards her as an artist and as a woman. She was not only stunning with her vocals and appearance for the show, but she also made me laugh when she bounced around the stage like a goofball.
She said, “I’ve just got a lot of energy, you know? I love entertaining, I just jump around the stage and enjoy myself. I think it’s important to keep your girlishness as a woman. It’s part of my image, I think, I never grow up, people know it.”
To me as an interviewer, it felt like I was listening to a podcast about her life and I loved every minute of it. There was never a dull moment, her ability to make me feel included in her storytelling was refreshing.
We bonded over being romantics, I asked her what her favourite romantic gesture was. She paused for a moment and answered in a way that I will never forget.
She said, “I find it romantic when someone gets up to give me their seat on the tube. A few years ago I would have found that flattering but now I just wonder if I really look that old for them to offer.”
I laughed for a good minute or two after, her wittiness when it comes to making people laugh was sensational.
The dynamism of her personality didn’t end there, she was also sweet and nurturing when I shared my struggles with sexuality with her.
She took on the role of being my supporter in that moment and shared her experience with the community in a beautiful way.
She said, “It’s all about fun and acceptance isn’t it? I think it’s brilliant to say that there’s never any violence within the community when the marches happen. Everyone’s having a good time and celebrating themselves. What harm could that possibly create when it’s all about love and expressing yourself the way you desire?”
The warmth that radiated through her voice was enough to make me feel safe and protected by her.
Her presence in this lifetime will always be permanently etched in the hearts of her loved ones and her fans.
Rose-Marie ended the interview by suggesting a song of hers for me to listen to. It’s called “The Answer To Everything”, the lyrics question the genuinity of a partner’s love. The whole song is a yearning for reassurance from the one she loves most.
But I believe it’s safe to say that with the way Rose-Marie has touched my life and the lives of others, the answer to everything is that she will always be loved and never forgotten.
At 2shades, we send her family, friends and supporters lots of love and prayers during this difficult time. May her wonderful soul rest in peace.
2Shades Magazine 