Welcome, Music Lovers! Here we are, in the SEVENTH Women Music March! I hope you are looking forward to the next 31 days of music by creative female singers, songwriters, instrumentalists, and band leaders.
Thanks to a question by Jim Adams, I was reminded not everyone is familiar with Women Music March. As I responded to him: one woman artist per day for every day in March, so 31 artists are covered each March. I have an index of who’s been covered since 2020, separated by year.
Not sure why I didn’t make one before, but please notice the new banner. Now … here we go!
Nederlands: Katrina Leskanich tijdens Het Grote Songfestivalfeest in het Ziggo Dome 15 december 2019
I thought at the time (in the 80s) no one would ever want to hear this music again as I thought a lot of it was quite pompous and took itself way too seriously. The same as for the clothes! Now it’s just nice for me that people still want to hear it and I kinda like a lot more of the music more than I used to. I was a bit of a snob and thought only the old music of the ’60s and ’70s was any good. These days ’80s music IS the old music. Ha, ha! –Katrina, from interview on OldSchool80s
Katrina Elizabeth Leskanich (b. 4/10/60) is an American-born, UK-based singer and musician and the former lead singer of the British pop rock band Katrina and the Waves. She was born in Topeka, KS. Her father was a Vietnam Veteran who became a colonel in the US Air Force. Katrina and her five siblings (four sisters and one brother) moved frequently as children. The family arrived in the United Kingdom in 1976. She graduated from RAF Lakenheath high school in 1978.
Mama’s Cookin’, a pop cover band from Feltwell, Norfolk, England, was founded in 1978. It featured Leskanich on vocals and keyboards, Vince de la Cruz on vocals and lead guitar, and Marcos de la Cruz on drums. By late 1980, Alex Cooper had joined the band on drums, with Bob Jakins on bass. Mama’s Cookin’ proceeded to gig steadily in England over the next two years, specializing in covers of songs by American acts.
In 1981, singer-songwriter Kimberley Rew joined Mama’s Cookin’, and the five-piece group was quickly renamed The Waves after a band Rew and Cooper had been in together in the mid-1970s. Rew initially fronted the Waves. However, over the first year of the Waves’ existence, Rew began to write material for Leskanich to sing, and she was soon the primary vocalist.
Katrina and the Waves broke up in 1999. In 1999, Leskanich launched a solo career. She released her first solo CD, Katrina Leskanich, through Universal Records in Britain in 2005.
Katrina and the Waves had 12 studio albums, 7 Best Of albums, and 27 singles.
Katrina has had 8 solo albums, 6 compilation albums, and 9 singles, as well as 5 “other appearances.”
artist’s official website
source: wikipedia
Tao-Talk 
She played in our town at an 80’s festival a couple of summers back. She nailed it and was awesome fun.
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So awesome you’ve seen her live, Steve. I’m glad such talented blasts from the pasts keep on keepin’ on. Live music is so much better than any recording could ever be.
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Sweet. I’m so excited for a month of women in music. Love these posts. Thanks, Lisa.
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KF, I’m glad you’re geeked for it. I have been having a delightful time learning as I write them up. You are welcome <3
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PowerPop right up Max’s alley.
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Yes, it is, Steve. I hope Max reads this and covers her on PowerPop.
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Another great intro, thanks for this Li (Something I’ve come across – if you haven’t already – track down the Yee Loi)
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They weren’t on my list, but they are now! Sometime in 2029 at this point you’ll see them. Thanks for the suggestion <3
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It gets like that, same with books :)
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:)
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Oh I loved the song walking on sunshine! That is such a catchy tune! :D
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CA, yes it is! It’s her signature song, I think?
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Nice music, Lisa going with these two rockers. Katrina Leskanich has a lovely voice, and she sounds like a cross between Ann Wilson and Debbie Harry.
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Thanks, Jim. I can go with that assessment.
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Wow! Looking forward to this March!
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Walt, March is always a happy music month for me because of it and I’m you are looking forward to it :)
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OH GEEZ!!!
I gotta get busy Lisa! I can’t believe it’s March already!
Anyway…I love Katrina…I remember hearing her voice all the way to Cocoa Beach Florida when I graduated…Walking on Sunshine…such a happy up beat song. I’ve listening to her other stuff and I like it including both of these…so she has a special place in my heart.
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Max, I remember you talking about those road trips to FL. Happy Katrina and The Waves traveled along :)
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Great start Lisa! I knew very little about Katrina. She’s been quite prolific and based on those two videos, I think I want to give her material a listen.
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Thanks, Randy. I knew their hit song from way back when but had no idea she’d gone solo and was making new music.
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She really sounds great!
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She’s got a distinctive sound for sure.
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Great dance music. I never knew she had a solo career. Love the poodle video. (K)
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I like that one also, K. She’s still going strong.
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Definitely not someone I was aware of beyond the one big hit.
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Glad to make you aware, Liam.
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Nice way to start the month, Lisa. I still remember when Katrina turned pop-rock on its ear with “Walking on Sunshine,” a song that carries all the vibes of that time for me. Such an upbeat song, and that opening “Ow!” – timeless. I hadn’t heard “That’s the Way” in a very long time and forgotten what a solid song it is! I didn’t know of her solo career but “Drive” is a catchy offering. What a distinctive voice.
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Steve, thanks and glad you like Katrina and remember her from before.
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My pleasure!
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