Born on 8 May: Rosie Garland, gothic poet and singer of March Violets

She was born in 1960 in London and now takes more pleasure in reading her poetry in public than singing with her former band.

After studying English Literature at the University of Leeds, she joined the March Violets as a singer in 1981. She also crafts texts that are enigmatic or even esoteric, and shape the group's image. Released on A Merciful Release, the same label as the Sisters Of Mercy, their first 4-track EP "Religious As Hell" (1982) blatantly indicates the group's sources of inspiration. And also made the holy rollers scream!

Rosie Garland left The March Violets after the release of "Snake Dance" (1984) and only rejoined her former companions for some occasional reunions. Meanwhile, she published seven collections of highly personal poetry under the pseudonym of Rosie Lugosi. Very committed to the fight for sexual minorities, she often presents herself as a Lesbian Vampire Queen.

Between 2013 and 2024, she also published four novels. The latest is titled "The Fates".

(MH with Stéphane Soupart - Photo: © Etienne Tordoir)

Photo: Rosie Garland with The March Violets on stage at the Futurama festival in Deinze (Belgium) on 23rd September 1984