Siva Kaneswaren, a member of the band The Wanted alongside the late Tom Parker, has opened up about the profound impact of Tom’s untimely death at the age of 33.
Currently, Siva is endorsing Memory Bank, an innovative art display that pays tribute to the journey of brain cancer patients and their loved ones, leading him to introspect on his own experiences.
In an exclusive conversation with the Express, Siva shared how Tom’s passing motivated him to confront his deepest fears.
“Tom lived life to the fullest despite his diagnosis, and his passing reminded me that death teaches us how to truly live. Following that realization, I decided to tackle all the things that scared me the most because they paled in comparison to what he endured. Despite my fears, I participated in Celebrity SAS, competed on Dancing on Ice reaching the semi-finals, and dedicated a performance in his honor on the show,” he recollected.
“I pushed myself to do things I had always feared. I took on a theater role to learn Spanish, and coincidentally, it required singing in Spanish. All of this happened right after his passing. I also reconnected with my family,” he disclosed, mentioning a surprising visit to Ireland for his mother’s birthday.
Reflecting on his final moments with Tom, Siva revealed a deep emotional connection. “As our time together neared the end, we shared tears, cleared misunderstandings, and expressed sentiments we never imagined voicing. Our past disagreements and conflicts suddenly seemed trivial, overshadowed by the cherished memories we created,” he conveyed, as reported by the Express.
Following Tom’s demise, Siva and The Wanted faced the challenge of mourning in the public eye, a situation he discussed with a fellow artist who understood his sentiments firsthand.
“I recently spoke with Danny from The Script in Malibu. We both lost bandmates – his brother Mark Sheehan passed away in April 2023 at 43. It’s surreal to grieve under public scrutiny,” he shared. “Talking about it publicly can be a form of therapy, even though it’s not easy. During our US tour with The Wanted 2.0, every time I perform ‘Gold Forever,’ which features Tom’s part, I have to address his memory. It’s a necessary release for me to continue,” he admitted.
These emotions have driven Siva to actively support the Memory Bank initiative.
“The fear of losing memories is a significant concern for glioblastoma patients, as memory loss can be sudden. This installation highlights positive memories,” he explained, drawing a parallel to Tom Parker’s optimistic outlook. “When Tom received his diagnosis, he was given a short life expectancy, but he defied the odds and fought for 18 months with different treatments. Witnessing his strength was truly inspiring.”
The Memory Bank display is currently showcased at Westgate Shopping Centre in Oxford before moving to the GenesisCare Centre in Oxford later this autumn. It is also accessible through the GenesisCare website for further details.