Once a dazzling voice on global airwaves, Maria McKee has decided to embrace a slower rhythm—one far removed from spotlights and screaming crowds.
The singer who once ruled the UK charts with “Show Me Heaven” is now reflecting on her incredible, complex journey, sharing stories that go beyond the music and deep into her heart.
Saying Goodbye to the Stage
At 60, Maria McKee isn’t just slowing down—she’s stepped away entirely.
“I’m officially retired, and honestly, I’m loving it,” she said, clearly at peace with her decision.
Her last album, La Vita Nuova, released in 2020, left her drained. “Touring was awful for me.
Just knowing I had a show later felt like heading to the guillotine. Nothing beat stepping offstage and going home.”
These days, even the thought of performing again sends a chill down her spine. “Even one show… oh God, I can’t,” she admitted.
A Tumultuous Childhood and Musical Beginnings
Maria’s path to fame wasn’t smooth. Born to a builder father and a dancer mother, she described her early years as “traumatic, crazy, and sometimes violent.”
She also had to care for her half-brother, Bryan MacLean, a guitarist for the band Love, who struggled with mental health and drug issues.
Despite studying alongside future stars like Nicolas Cage and Crispin Glover, Maria abandoned acting school early.
“I quit because I just wanted to play rock and roll,” she said.
That decision led her to co-found Lone Justice in 1982—a band that quickly caught the attention of music legends.
A Star Among Icons: Bob Dylan, Dolly Parton, and U2
Lone Justice’s potential was huge. With praise from Dolly Parton and support from Linda Ronstadt, the band landed a deal with Geffen Records.
Bob Dylan even wrote a song for them—though his collaboration with Maria wasn’t exactly smooth.
“He made me sing it over and over, and I got really pissed off,” she recalled.
“But I think he respected me for standing my ground. Most people just kiss his ass, and I didn’t.”
Maria also shared a more whimsical moment from her time with U2. Living in Ireland in the early ‘90s, she became close with Bono and his family.
“One Sunday, I brought my pet rabbit to their house… it ended up chewing through the phone wire just as they were waiting to hear if their record had gone to No.1!”
Navigating a Male-Dominated Industry
Though Maria avoided major #MeToo-type experiences, she wasn’t immune to the industry’s darker undercurrents. “I gave off an air of ‘F*** off’,” she said.
But she still faced situations that made her uncomfortable, particularly with how older male figures handled her early work.
One example? The lyrics to “Ways To Be Wicked,” written by Tom Petty.
“It was clearly written for a man, and I begged them to change the words.
They refused.” On her first UK tour, she faced chants from young fans yelling the more suggestive lyrics back at her.
Show Me Heaven and Chart-Topping Success
While Lone Justice dissolved in 1987, Maria soared as a solo artist.
She wrote “A Good Heart,” a No.1 hit for Feargal Sharkey, and later transformed a generic love song into the powerhouse ballad “Show Me Heaven” for the Tom Cruise film Days of Thunder.
“I didn’t even meet Tom Cruise,” she laughed.
“But the song blew up worldwide—just not in the States, oddly enough.”
Acting Offers, Missed Roles, and Tarantino’s Nod
Though music was her mainstay, Maria dipped her toes into acting.
Quentin Tarantino used her song “If Love Is A Red Dress” in Pulp Fiction, and she nearly landed roles in High Fidelity and other major films.
But she admits she sabotaged many of those chances. “I was terrified of being famous.
I just couldn’t see my face up on a big screen,” she confessed.
Still, one memorable moment came when she filmed a sultry music video with Robbie Robertson under the direction of Martin Scorsese.
“They thought I’d be terrible at it, but by the end, they were calling me the next Jessica Lange!”
A Sweet Connection with Johnny Depp
Back in the day, Maria shared a gentle, platonic connection with Johnny Depp.
“He used to come to my shows before he was famous, just hanging around with Nicolas Cage,” she remembered.
Their bond continued into the ‘90s. “He once sent a chimpanzee holding a bouquet of carnations to my door while filming Gilbert Grape! That’s just Johnny—funny and a little magical.”
Struggles with Alcohol and the Spotlight
Despite her talent and acclaim, Maria admits she battled inner demons.
“My brother’s addiction made me scared of drugs, but I still became an alcoholic,” she said.
Vodka was her weakness, and she sometimes needed it to get through performances.
She’s been sober since 1996 and credits therapy with helping her reclaim peace.
“Maybe that’s part of why I no longer want to perform—it was all too much.”
Love, Identity, and Living Authentically
Maria married musician Jim Akin in 1999, and though they now live in separate apartments in the same LA building, their relationship remains deep and loving.
“It’s platonic now, but he’s my rock. I feel so safe knowing he’s downstairs.”
Her journey of self-discovery includes her sexuality. “I probably knew I was gay at four, watching King Kong and seeing Faye Wray,” she laughed.
Though she still liked boys and flirted with Joan Jett, coming out back then was hard.
“Now? I’m basically an old celibate lesbian,” she joked.
Trans Rights, Heartbreak, and a Message for JK Rowling
Maria has become a fierce advocate for trans rights, especially in the face of recent U.S. rulings.
“My heart breaks. Most of my UK friends are young trans kids. They call me Mom,” she said.
She also called out author JK Rowling for her views.
“I think something happened to her spiritually,” Maria said. “But I believe she could still wake up and change.
Imagine the good she could do if she said, ‘I was wrong.’ That’s what I pray for.”
Still, she added, “She’s been a villain to my most beloved people.
She’s the voice and money behind so much harm. As someone on a spiritual path, I have to hope for her awakening, not hate her.”
A Legacy of Passion and Honesty
From storming stages with Lone Justice to becoming a quiet spiritual advocate, Maria McKee’s life has been anything but boring.
Though she’s stepped out of the spotlight, her voice—raw, bold, and deeply human—still resonates in the hearts of those she touched.
And whether it’s through an old ballad or a candid memory, Maria continues to show us heaven in her own, deeply personal way.