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Kate Bush

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Kate Bush was born on 30 July 1958 in Bexleyheath, in the south-east of London. She grew up in an artistic family: her father played piano, her mother danced Irish folk dances and her brothers were on the folk scene. At eleven she taught herself to play piano and began writing songs. David Gilmour of Pink Floyd helped pay for a demo, after which she was signed by EMI.

Music and breakthrough

In 1978, aged nineteen, she spent four weeks at number 1 in England with Wuthering Heights, inspired by the novel by Emily Brontë. She was the first woman to reach number 1 there with a song she had written entirely herself. Albums followed such as The Kick Inside (1978), Never for Ever (1980) and Hounds of Love (1985), with hits such as Babooshka and Running Up That Hill. In 1986 she sang the duet Don't Give Up with Peter Gabriel. From The Dreaming (1982) onwards she produced all her albums herself. She often takes years over a record: between The Red Shoes (1993) and Aerial (2005) there were twelve years.

Influence

Bush is known for her idiosyncratic style, unusual lyrics and innovative dance on stage. She was one of the first artists to work with the expensive Fairlight sampler. After a tour in 1979 she did not appear on stage again until 2014, with a series of concerts in London. Her sound and her way of moving have influenced many later artists. In 2023 she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Wuthering Heights (1978). Notice the very high voice with which Kate Bush has the ghost of Cathy from Emily Brontë's novel sing, and how the piano carries the song.

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

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Mentioned in other articles

See also

Categories: Artists