Katrina Leskanich

Early Life

Katrina Elizabeth Leskanich was born in Topeka, Kansas, into a military family, with her father serving as a colonel in the United States Air Force. Growing up with five siblings, her family frequently relocated, eventually settling in the United Kingdom in 1976. Leskanich graduated from RAF Lakenheath high school in 1978, marking the beginning of her journey in music.

Career

Leskanich's musical career began in earnest with the formation of Mama's Cookin', a pop cover band, in 1978. The band, which included her then-boyfriend Vince de la Cruz, gained traction in England, leading to a transformation into The Waves after the addition of singer-songwriter Kimberley Rew. As the primary vocalist, Leskanich helped the band achieve international fame with their hit "Walking on Sunshine" in 1985 and a Eurovision Song Contest victory in 1997 with "Love Shine a Light." After the band disbanded in 1999, she embarked on a solo career, releasing her self-titled album in 2005 and participating in Sweden's Melodifestivalen.

Personal Life and Other Work

In her personal life, Leskanich is married to Sher Harper, who also manages her career. Together, they co-authored a quirky photographic guidebook about London and are set to release a dog-friendly travel guide in 2025. Leskanich's connection to sports is notable as she is the cousin of former Major League Baseball player Curtis Leskanic. Throughout her career, she has remained a vibrant figure in the music industry, celebrating milestones such as the 25th anniversary of "Walking on Sunshine" with a live album release in 2010.