Kaori Kawamura
January 23, 1971 – July 28, 2009
R.I.P.

Rock and Roll Heaven has another angel.

Kawamura Kaori had great professional success since age 17 with the release of her first single Zoo in 1988. Originally from Moscow with a Japanese Father and Russian mother she relocated to Japan at age 11. Performing music both as a solo artist and with her rock / rockabilly project Sorrow, Kaori created a lengthy list of popular singles, albums and books, she appeared in movies as well.

Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004, her left breast was removed. The disease had claimed her mother’s life as well. Kaori became a cancer awareness activist. In 2008, she posted online that the cancer had returned and spread to other parts of her body.

Kaori worked until the end on her final project the album “K”, performing live and celebrating the 20th anniversary of her debut. Kaori died on July 28, 2009 at age 38 and leaves behind both a daughter and a considerable musical legacy.

video courtesy youtube / arukimono

photo courtesy flickr / umitomo