Although only active from 1986 through 1990, The O'Kanes left a significant mark upon the country music market, releasing five consecutive Top 10 hits and one enduring chart-topper, "Can't Stop My Heart from Loving You," before calling it quits. Bandmates Jamie O'Hara and Kieran Kane had both pursued successful solo careers before forming the duo in Nashville. O'Hara worked as a songwriter, penning hits like Ronnie McDowell's Number 1 smash "Older Women" and the Judds' Grammy-winning "Grandpa (Tell Me 'Bout the Good Old Days)," while Kane was a recording artist with several hits of his own, including the Top 40 singles "You're The Best" and "It's Who You Love." After working together as cowriters in 1985, the two musicians formed The O'Kanes in 1986 and released a self-titled debut album that same year. The record peaked at Number 9 on the US Country chart and sparked The O'Kanes' run of successful singles, with "Can't Stop My Heart from Loving You" climbing to Number 1 in America and Canada in 1987. "Oh Darlin' (Why Don't You Care for Me No More)," "Daddies Need to Grow Up Too," and "Just Lovin' You" all became Top 10 hits, too, as did two singles from The O'Kanes' second album, Tired of the Runnin'. Released in 1988, Tired of the Runnin' proved to the band's last brush with success, as 1990's Imagine That failed to crack the Top 40. After splitting up that same year, O'Hara and Kane both resumed their solo careers. O'Hara lost a battle with cancer on January 7, 2021.
