Catherine Bush is a highly acclaimed English singer, songwriter, record producer, and dancer. At the young age of 19, her debut single "Wuthering Heights" reached number one on the UK Singles Chart, making her the first woman to achieve this feat with a self-written song. Her musical journey began at age 11, and she was later signed by EMI Records with the help of Pink Floyd's David Gilmour. Her debut album, "The Kick Inside," was released in 1978.
Kate Bush's mother, Hannah Daly, was born in 1918.
Kate Bush's father, Robert Bush, was born in 1920.
The horror films Night of the Demon and Man of a Thousand Faces, both of which inspired Kate Bush's music, were released in 1957.
Catherine Bush was born in July 1958 in Bexleyheath, Kent, England.
Kate Bush was born in July 1958 in Bexleyheath, Kent, to Robert Bush, an English doctor, and Hannah Daly, an Irish nurse. She grew up in a farmhouse with her two older brothers, Paddy and John, surrounded by a family engaged in various art forms.
The film The Innocents, an inspiration for Kate Bush's song "The Infant Kiss," premiered in 1961.
François Truffaut's film The Bride Wore Black, an influence on Kate Bush's song "The Wedding List," was released in 1967.
Elton John released his iconic song "Rocket Man" in 1972, a song that Kate Bush would later cover to critical acclaim.
Kate Bush recorded the song "Humming" in 1975, although it remained unreleased until 2019.
Kate Bush formed the KT Bush Band and began performing in London pubs in the months leading up to August 1977. During this time, she also wrote and recorded numerous demos, some of which were circulated as bootlegs. She started recording her debut album in August 1977.
Following his death in 1977, Elvis Presley had a record 12 albums simultaneously in the UK Top 40 Albums Chart.
Kate Bush gave an interview to Melody Maker magazine in 1977.
Kate Bush released her debut album, "The Kick Inside", in 1978. The album featured a blend of session musicians and contributions from her brother, Paddy. Notably, Bush asserted her artistic vision by choosing "Wuthering Heights" as her debut single, despite EMI's preference for the more rock-oriented track "James and the Cold Gun." Two music videos with distinct visual styles were created for "Wuthering Heights," further solidifying Bush's artistic direction.
Kate Bush's performances of "Wuthering Heights" on Top of the Pops in 1978 cemented her public image as an ethereal artist with a unique and captivating stage presence. The song, with its themes of adolescent angst, propelled Bush to pop stardom, a realm she continues to navigate on her own terms.
In 1978, Kate Bush achieved her first UK number one single with "Wuthering Heights."
In 1978, at the age of 19, Kate Bush released her debut single, "Wuthering Heights," which topped the UK Singles Chart for four weeks. This achievement marked her as the first female artist to reach the UK number one spot with a self-written song. The debut album, "The Kick Inside," was also released in 1978.
Following the success of "The Kick Inside," EMI encouraged Kate Bush to quickly record a follow-up album, leading to the release of "Lionheart" in late 1978. Bush later expressed dissatisfaction with the rushed production of the album, feeling it hadn't been given enough time to fully develop.
In April 1979, Kate Bush embarked on her first concert tour, "The Tour of Life," a six-week engagement that showcased her music, dance, and theatrical talents.
Kate Bush's only tour, the Tour of Life, concluded in May 1979. While Bush found it enjoyable, it proved to be incredibly demanding. Various reasons, such as the tragic death of a lighting engineer and the sheer exhaustion of touring, contributed to her decision to step back from live performances.
August 1979 marked a milestone in Kate Bush's career with the release of her live "On Stage EP," notable for being her first experience as a producer.
Kate Bush's debut album "The Kick Inside" achieved platinum status in the United Kingdom in 1979, selling over a million copies. Her single "The Man with the Child in His Eyes" earned her an Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding British Lyric and charted on the US Billboard Hot 100, reaching number 85.
During the 1979 UK general election, Kate Bush was photographed with Labour Prime Minister James Callaghan while on tour, sparking curiosity about her political affiliations.
Kate Bush embarked on her first concert tour, "The Tour of Life", in 1979.
In a significant decision in 1979, Kate Bush chose to cease live performances after only six weeks on the road. Despite this, she remained a highly influential figure in avant-pop music, creating groundbreaking work at her own pace.
In 1979, Kate Bush provided vocals for Peter Gabriel's hits "Games Without Frontiers" and "Don't Give Up." She also collaborated with Roy Harper on his album "The Unknown Soldier," showcasing her vocal talents and collaborative spirit.
In 1979, Kate Bush experienced the loss of her guitarist, Alan Murphy, who had been working with her on "The Tour of Life". This period also marked other personal losses for Bush. She paid tribute to those she lost with her ballad "Moments of Pleasure." Notably, she shared a close relationship with her mother, Hannah, who, despite being referenced in the song, was still alive at the time of its writing and recording.
During her 1979 Tour of Life, Kate Bush became a pioneer by using a headset with a built-in wireless microphone. This innovative setup, crafted with a compact microphone and wire clothes hangers, allowed her to perform elaborate choreography while singing, influencing future artists like Janet Jackson, Madonna, and Peter Gabriel.
Kate Bush released her third studio album, "Never for Ever," in September 1980, marking a departure in her sound by incorporating synthesizers and drum machines.
Adding to her musical repertoire, Kate Bush released the standalone Christmas single "December Will Be Magic Again" in November 1980.
Kate Bush released "The Dreaming" in 1980.
Kate Bush released her album "Never for Ever" in 1980, which became her first album to reach number one on the UK Albums Chart.
In July 1982, Kate Bush participated in the inaugural benefit concert for The Prince's Trust. She performed "The Wedding List" alongside a star-studded backing band, including musicians like Pete Townshend, Phil Collins, and Midge Ure.
Kate Bush took full creative control with the September 1982 release of "The Dreaming," her first self-produced album, showcasing her experimental approach to music production.
Kate Bush took full control of her artistic vision and produced her album "The Dreaming" entirely by herself in 1982.
In a 1982 interview with NME, Kate Bush addressed the British media's tendency to objectify her, emphasizing her role as a songwriter and musician. She criticized EMI's promotional tactics that focused on her physical appearance rather than her artistry.
Kate Bush's song "Running Up That Hill" reached number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100 in November 1985, reintroducing her to American audiences.
Kate Bush originally released "Running Up That Hill" as a single in 1985.
Similar to her 1985 album "Hounds of Love," Kate Bush's "Aerial" is structured in two distinct sections, each carrying its own theme and atmosphere.
Kate Bush released "Hounds of Love" in 1985, which topped the UK Albums Chart.
"Running Up That Hill" originally peaked at number 30 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1985.
In a 1985 interview with The NewMusic, Kate Bush addressed the presence of political and social themes in her music, such as nuclear fear in "Breathing" and the impact of war on mothers in "Army Dreamers." She clarified that her perspective stemmed from an emotional place rather than a political stance.
In 1985, Kate Bush released "Hounds of Love," which topped UK charts, featuring a distinctive two-sided format and hit singles such as "Running Up That Hill."
A new remix of Kate Bush's 1985 hit "Running Up That Hill" was played at the 2012 Summer Olympics closing ceremony in London.
"Running Up That Hill" originally peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart in 1985.
In a 1985 interview with Hot Press, Kate Bush declined to reveal her political leanings, stating that she didn't consider herself a political thinker and emphasizing the personal nature of her voting choices.
Kate Bush lent her vocals to the title track of Big Country's 1986 album "The Seer," expanding her musical reach and influence.
Kate Bush showcased her comedic timing and vocal talent during a performance for the British charity event Comic Relief in 1986. Her memorable duet with Rowan Atkinson for "Do Bears... ?" and rendition of "Breathing" brought laughter and awareness to the important cause.
Kate Bush's greatest hits compilation album, "The Whole Story," was released in 1986 and reached number one on the UK Albums Chart.
The year 1986 saw Kate Bush collaborating with Peter Gabriel on the hit single "Don't Give Up" and releasing her "greatest hits" album, "The Whole Story."
Kate Bush graced the stage at The Secret Policeman's Third Ball in March 1987, captivating the audience with a performance of "Running Up That Hill." Her appearance alongside David Gilmour added another layer of musical brilliance to the event.
Kate Bush won the award for Best British Female Solo Artist at the 1987 Brit Awards, solidifying her influence and impact on the music scene.
Kate Bush won the Brit Award for Best British Female Artist in 1987.
In a 1987 interview, David Gilmour shared his perspective on Kate Bush's early career, suggesting that EMI's choice of producers may have initially hindered her success in the United States.
In 1987, Kate Bush joined the ensemble effort for Ferry Aid's charity single "Let It Be," a cover of the Beatles classic, demonstrating her willingness to contribute to charitable causes.
The Copyright, Designs and Patents Act of 1988 was enacted in the UK. This legislation, which governs copyright regulations, would later become a point of contention for artists, including Kate Bush, regarding royalty payments for streaming.
Bush collaborated with Midge Ure in 1988, contributing vocals to the song "Sister and Brother" from his album "Answers to Nothing," marking another instance of her collaborative work.
Kate Bush released her seventh studio album, "The Sensual World," in 1989, exploring personal themes and drawing inspiration from James Joyce's "Ulysses."
Expanding her discography, Kate Bush released the boxed set "This Woman's Work" in 1990, featuring her albums and B-sides from 1978 to 1990.
In 1990, Kate Bush furthered her collaborations, working with Roy Harper on his album "Once" and producing a song for Alan Stivell's album "Again." This marked her first time producing for another artist.
Kate Bush took on the role of producer for Alan Stivell's song "Kimiad" from his album "Again" in 1990, demonstrating her versatility in the music industry.
Prince acknowledged Kate Bush's influence in the liner notes of his 1991 album, "Diamonds and Pearls." This recognition highlighted her impact across musical genres.
Kate Bush paid tribute to Elton John with a cover of "Rocket Man" in 1991 and showcased her acting skills in the BBC film "Les Dogs."
Bush recorded a captivating cover of Elton John's "Rocket Man" in 1991 for the tribute album "Two Rooms: Celebrating the Songs of Elton John & Bernie Taupin," showcasing her reinterpretative talent.
Kate Bush met guitarist Dan McIntosh in 1992.
Kate Bush's mother, Hannah Bush, passed away in 1992.
Kate Bush returned to the music scene in November 1993 with her seventh studio album, "The Red Shoes," which achieved significant chart success.
Kate Bush and Prince collaborated in 1993, with Prince contributing to the song "Why Should I Love You?" from Bush's album "The Red Shoes," signifying a notable artistic partnership.
Kate Bush recorded "Eat the Music" in 1993, though it was not released at that time.
Kate Bush released the album "The Red Shoes" in 1993.
In January 1994, Kate Bush's single "Rubberband Girl" reached number 88 on the US charts.
Expanding her repertoire of covers, Bush recorded a rendition of George Gershwin's "The Man I Love" in 1994 for the album "The Glory of Gershwin," a testament to her musical versatility.
Bush's collaborations continued in 1996 as she worked with Prince on his song "My Computer" and contributed a rendition of "Mná na hÉireann" to the compilation album "Common Ground: The Voices of Modern Irish Music," for which she learned to sing in Irish phonetically.
In 1996, Kate Bush participated in the "Common Ground: The Voices of Modern Irish Music" project, contributing her version of "Mná na hÉireann" ("Women of Ireland") sung in Irish, highlighting her respect for different cultures and languages.
In 1998, Kate Bush gave birth to her son, Albert, affectionately known as "Bertie," with her partner, guitarist Dan McIntosh.
In 1998, an asteroid was named after Kate Bush, signifying her lasting impact and influence beyond the realm of music.
Kate Bush and her husband, Danny McIntosh, welcomed their son, Albert, affectionately known as Bertie, in 1998, marking a significant personal milestone.
VH1 named Kate Bush the 46th greatest woman in rock and roll in 1999, solidifying her influence and impact on the music industry.
Kate Bush was honored with the Q Award for Classic Songwriter in 2001.
Kate Bush received an Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Contribution to British Music in 2002.
In 2002, Kate Bush reunited with David Gilmour for a special performance at the Royal Festival Hall in London. Their rendition of Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb" was a testament to their enduring musical chemistry and captivated the audience.
In 2002, Kate Bush received the Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music. That same year, she also delivered a performance of "Comfortably Numb" at David Gilmour's concert held at London's Royal Festival Hall.
In 2004, Kate Bush invested in a second home in Devon, suggesting a desire for a peaceful retreat.
September 2005 saw the premiere of "King of the Mountain," the lead single from Kate Bush's album "Aerial," on BBC Radio 2.
Kate Bush's eighth studio album, "Aerial," was released in November 2005 in both double CD and vinyl formats.
In 2005, "This Woman's Work" experienced a resurgence, reaching number eight on the UK download chart after its feature in a British television advertisement.
Kate Bush returned from a hiatus with the release of her album "Aerial" in 2005.
Kate Bush received two nominations for the 2006 Brit Awards for her work on "Aerial": Best British Female Solo Artist and Best British Album.
Kate Bush's rendition of "Rocket Man" received enduring acclaim, being voted the greatest cover ever by readers of The Observer newspaper in 2007.
In 2007, Kate Bush composed "Lyra" for "The Golden Compass" film soundtrack. The song, inspired by the main character, Lyra Belacqua, played during the end credits and earned a nomination for the International Press Academy's Satellite Award for original song in a motion picture.
Bush's cover of Elton John's "Rocket Man" garnered significant recognition in 2007 when it won The Observer readers' award for "Greatest Cover of all time," solidifying its place as a beloved rendition.
Kate Bush's father, Robert Bush, passed away in 2008.
In 2009, the Beatles achieved the feat of having 11 albums simultaneously in the UK Top 40 Albums Chart.
May 2011 marked the release of Kate Bush's "Director's Cut," featuring 11 reworked tracks from her albums "The Sensual World" and "The Red Shoes." The album, described as a fresh project rather than a remix collection, was released on Bush's new label, Fish People, and included new lead vocals, instrumentation, and some lyrical changes.
Kate Bush's ninth studio album, "50 Words for Snow," was released on November 21, 2011. The album notably features a duet with Elton John on the track "Snowed in at Wheeler Street." The album features seven songs, totaling 65 minutes of listening.
During a 2011 BBC Radio 4 interview, Kate Bush addressed the lengthy gaps between her albums, acknowledging the frustration but emphasizing the importance of life outside of music. She refuted claims of being a perfectionist, highlighting the value of imperfections in art.
Elton John and Kate Bush reunited musically in 2011 for the song "Snowed in at Wheeler Street" featured on Bush's album "50 Words for Snow," marking another chapter in their collaborative journey.
Kate Bush released two albums in 2011: "Director's Cut" and "50 Words for Snow".
In 2012, Kate Bush's album "50 Words for Snow" earned numerous accolades, including a Best Female Artist nomination at the Brit Awards, the Best Album award at the South Bank Arts Awards, and a Best Album nomination at the Ivor Novello Awards.
Though Kate Bush declined to perform at the 2012 London Olympics closing ceremony, a remix of her 1985 single "Running Up That Hill" was featured.
By 2013, Kate Bush achieved a significant chart milestone, becoming the only female artist to have top five albums in the UK charts across five consecutive decades.
Elton John and Kate Bush collaborated on a duet in 2013, showcasing their mutual admiration and musical synergy. John praised Bush's groundbreaking artistry, comparing her to Freddie Mercury.
In March 2014, Kate Bush announced her first live concert series in decades, titled "Before the Dawn." The 22-night residency was set to take place at the Hammersmith Apollo in London, running from August 26 to October 1, 2014.
Kate Bush made her highly anticipated return to headline performances with her Before the Dawn residency. Running from August to October 2014, the 22-night engagement at London's Hammersmith Apollo featured tracks spanning her career, with a special focus on "Hounds of Love" and "Aerial."
Kate Bush concluded her critically acclaimed "Before the Dawn" residency at the Hammersmith Apollo in London in October 2014.
Rolf Harris was convicted of multiple sexual assault charges in 2014.
Kate Bush's son, Bertie, made an appearance in her 2014 concert series "Before the Dawn," creating a special family connection within her musical endeavors.
Kate Bush returned to the stage with her concert residency "Before the Dawn" in 2014, marking her first live performances since 1979.
Kate Bush made a significant comeback to the stage in 2014, inspiring artists like Adele. Her return marked a pivotal moment in her career, reigniting her influence on the music industry.
In 2015, Adele shared that Kate Bush's 2014 stage comeback inspired her own album, "25." This year marked Bush's influence on a new generation of artists.
On November 25, 2016, Kate Bush released "Before the Dawn," a live album recorded during her residency at the Hammersmith Apollo in London.
In a 2016 interview with Maclean's, Kate Bush expressed admiration for Theresa May, who had recently become the UK's Prime Minister. Bush praised May's leadership and expressed her support for women in positions of power.
Mark Beaumont wrote an article for NME in July 2018, describing Kate Bush as an "enigma worthy of the name".
In November 2018, Kate Bush released remastered box sets of her studio albums. These remasters notably replaced vocals by Rolf Harris, convicted of sexual assault charges in 2014, with new recordings by Bush's son, Bertie.
Kate Bush released her first book, "How to Be Invisible," in December 2018. The book is a compilation of her lyrics.
Kate Bush received her first nomination for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018.
Kate Bush released "The Other Sides," a compilation album featuring rare tracks, covers, and remixes, on March 8, 2019. The album includes the previously unreleased track "Humming," recorded in 1975.
September 2019 saw the release of "Ne t'enfuis pas" / "Un baiser d'enfant," a limited-edition promotional single by Kate Bush, issued on vinyl in France.
Following her 2016 comments, Kate Bush clarified her political stance in a 2019 statement on her website, stating that she was not a Conservative Party supporter and that her previous remarks were intended to support women in leadership roles.
French producer Pone released "Kate & Me" in 2019, a tribute album created entirely from samples of Kate Bush's music. Notably, this marked the first album produced using an eye-tracking device.
In September 2020, Kate Bush was honored as a Fellow of The Ivors Academy, a prestigious UK association for songwriters, composers, and music authors.
Kate Bush became a Fellow of The Ivors Academy in the UK in 2020.
In a 2020 interview with Grazia magazine, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson named Kate Bush as one of the five most influential women in his life, recognizing her impact on culture and society.
In April 2021, Kate Bush joined other artists in signing an open letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, advocating for fairer royalty payments from streaming services, aligning with the music industry's call for equitable compensation.
In June 2021, French producer Pone, inspired by Kate Bush, released the "Listen and Donate" EP, using samples of her work to raise funds for the Trakadom association.
Kate Bush was nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for the second time in 2021.
In May 2022, Kate Bush's song "Running Up That Hill" experienced a massive resurgence in popularity after being featured in the fourth season of the Netflix series Stranger Things. The song became a global streaming sensation, topping charts on Spotify in several countries. This renewed interest was particularly notable among Generation Z, who embraced the song on social media platforms like TikTok.
"Running Up That Hill" re-entered the US Billboard Hot 100 in June 2022, reaching number eight and surpassing its original 1985 peak. The song continued to climb the charts, peaking at number three in July. This success also extended to the parent album, Hounds of Love, which reached a new peak of number 12 in the US.
In June 2022, "Running Up That Hill" reached number two on the UK Singles Chart, surpassing its original peak from 1985. Despite being the most popular track that week, a chart rule penalizing older streamed songs initially kept it from the top spot. However, due to its exceptional sales resurgence, the song received an exemption and eventually reached number one.
In September 2022, Kate Bush's song "This Woman's Work" was featured in the film A Man Called Otto, introducing her music to a new audience.
Kate Bush's song "Running Up That Hill" experienced a resurgence in popularity in 2022 after being featured in the Netflix series "Stranger Things." The song became her second UK number one hit and reached number three on the US Billboard Hot 100.
In 2022, Kate Bush received her third nomination for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Kate Bush was recognized for her vocal talents in January 2023 when Rolling Stone included her in their list of the 200 Best Singers of All Time, placing her at number 60.
In February 2023, Kate Bush announced a new distribution partnership with State51 Conspiracy for her record label, Fish People. This deal led to worldwide distribution of her post-1980 releases and the entire catalog in the US, accompanied by new "indie" reissues of her albums.
The use of "This Woman's Work" in the Netflix film The Mother in May 2023 led to another surge in popularity and sales for the song.
Kate Bush was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2023.
Kate Bush was announced as an ambassador for Record Store Day in February 2024.
Record Store Day is scheduled for April 2024.