Kate Bush

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30 Jan 2024

Kate Bush

Catherine Bush CBE, born on July 30, 1958, is an English singer, songwriter, record producer, and dancer. In 1978, at the age of 19, she achieved a remarkable feat by topping the UK Singles Chart for four weeks with her debut single "Wuthering Heights," making her the first female artist to achieve a UK number one with a self-written song. Bush's career has been marked by significant success, including 25 UK Top 40 singles, among them the Top 10 hits "The Man with the Child in His Eyes," "Babooshka," "Running Up That Hill," "Don't Give Up" (a duet with Peter Gabriel), and "King of the Mountain."

All nine of her studio albums have reached the UK Top 10, with all but one reaching the top five. Her albums include the UK number one albums Never for Ever (1980), Hounds of Love (1985), and the greatest hits compilation The Whole Story (1986). Notably, she was the first British solo female artist to top the UK album charts and the first female artist to enter the album chart at number one. Bush's influence and impact on the music industry have been profound, solidifying her status as one of Britain's most acclaimed and innovative artists.

Bush's journey in music began at the age of 11 when she started writing songs. Her talent was recognized by EMI Records after Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour assisted in producing a demo tape for her. This led to the release of her debut album, "The Kick Inside," in 1978. As her career progressed, Bush asserted more control over her artistic direction, eventually producing all her studio albums independently starting from "The Dreaming" in 1982.

She took a hiatus between her seventh and eighth albums, "The Red Shoes" (1993) and "Aerial" (2005), during which she focused on other pursuits. However, Bush returned to the spotlight with her concert residency titled "Before the Dawn" in 2014, marking her first live performances since 1979's "The Tour of Life."

In 2022, Bush experienced a resurgence in popularity when her iconic song "Running Up That Hill" was featured in the Netflix series "Stranger Things." The song climbed the charts, reaching number one in the UK for the second time and also achieving significant success on the US Billboard Hot 100. This renewed attention also propelled her album "Hounds of Love" to the top of the Billboard albums chart, marking a significant milestone in her career.

Bush's influence on music and culture is profound, characterized by her eclectic musical style, unconventional lyrics, and captivating performances. Her work has inspired a diverse array of artists across genres. Throughout her career, she has received numerous accolades and honors, underscoring her significant contributions to the music industry.

She has been recognized with 13 nominations for Brit Awards, winning Best British Female Artist in 1987. Additionally, Bush has been nominated for three Grammy Awards, showcasing her international acclaim. In 2002, she received an Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Contribution to British Music, further solidifying her impact on the music scene.

Her contributions to music were acknowledged on a national level when she was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2013 New Year Honours for her services to music. Furthermore, she was honored as a Fellow of The Ivors Academy in the UK in 2020, highlighting her enduring influence and importance in the industry.

Bush's albums have also been celebrated critically and commercially. Rolling Stone magazine recognized her album "Hounds of Love" by ranking it at number 68 on their prestigious list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time in 2020. Similarly, her iconic song "Running Up That Hill" was honored by Rolling Stone in 2021, ranking at number 60 in their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Furthermore, in 2023, Rolling Stone magazine acknowledged Bush's vocal prowess and influence by ranking her at number 60 on their list of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time. Her enduring impact on music history was solidified when she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2023, cementing her legacy as one of the most influential artists of her generation.

Bush's upbringing was deeply rooted in artistry and creativity. Born on July 30, 1958, at the maternity hospital in Bexleyheath, Kent, she was the daughter of an English doctor, Robert Bush (1920–2008), and Hannah Patricia (née Daly) (1918–1992), an Irish staff nurse hailing from County Waterford. Bush grew up alongside her elder brothers, John and Paddy, in a historic 350-year-old farmhouse located in East Wickham near Welling, adjacent to Bexleyheath.

The Bush household resonated with artistic expression. Her mother, Hannah Patricia, was an amateur traditional Irish dancer, while her father, Robert, pursued his passion as an amateur pianist. Bush's brothers, Paddy and John, contributed to the family's artistic ambiance as well—Paddy as a musical instrument maker and John as a poet and photographer. The family's immersion in the local folk music scene further enriched their creative environment.

Bush's upbringing also included a foundation in Roman Catholicism, reflecting the spiritual dimension of her early life. This blend of artistic influences and cultural background laid the groundwork for Kate Bush's future artistic endeavors and her profound impact on the music industry.

During her formative years, Bush attended St Joseph's Convent Grammar School, a Catholic girls' school situated in nearby Abbey Wood. It was during this period that her family undertook a significant effort to showcase her burgeoning talent. They compiled a demo tape featuring over 50 of Bush's original compositions, intending to secure a record deal. However, their initial attempts were met with rejection from various record labels.

The turning point came when Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour, facilitated by Ricky Hopper, a mutual acquaintance of Gilmour and the Bush family, received the demo tape. Recognizing Bush's potential, Gilmour took it upon himself to support the 16-year-old artist in recording a more polished demo tape. With Gilmour's assistance, Bush recorded three tracks, financed by the guitarist himself.

The production of the demo tape was overseen by Andrew Powell, a close associate of Gilmour's who would later produce Bush's first two albums. Additionally, the renowned sound engineer Geoff Emerick, celebrated for his work with the Beatles, contributed to the tape's production. Subsequently, the demo tape found its way to Terry Slater, an executive at EMI, who recognized Bush's exceptional talent and promptly signed her to the label. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of Kate Bush's journey into the music industry, setting the stage for her remarkable career ahead.