Kate Bush will not be in attendance for her induction into the Rock of Roll Hall of Fame this evening (November 3rd).
In a statement released ahead of tonight’s ceremony, Bush said he was “completely blown away by this huge honour – an award that sits in the big beating heart of the American music industry.”
“Thank you so much to everyone who voted for me. I never imagined I would be given this wonderful accolade,” Bush continued. “Last year was such a surprisingly successful time for my track ‘Running Up That Hill’ and I’m sure that a lot of you who’ve voted me in to the RRHOF also drove that track up the charts. Thank you!”
Related Video
Bush did not give a reason for her decision to skip the ceremony, writing only: “I’m afraid I won’t be able to attend the ceremony tonight, but for me the real honour is knowing that you felt I deserved it.”
The 65-year-old singer also marveled at being welcomed “into the most extraordinary rostrum of overwhelming talent,” which include Elton John and his writing partner, Bernie Taupin, who is also being inducted during tonight’s ceremony.
“When I was growing up my hero was Elton John. I poured over his music, longed to be able to play piano like him and longed to write songs that could move people in the way his work moved me,” Bush wrote.
“That little girl in South East London could never have dreamed she’d be sharing the event tonight with Bernie Taupin, Elton’s writing partner, an incredible lyricist who inspired me to keep writing songs – to keep trying. Congratulations Bernie! Congratulations to everyone who is being inducted tonight!”
“Music is at the core of who I am and, like all musicians, being on the journey of trying to create something musically interesting is rife with feelings of doubt and insecurity,” Bush wrote to conclude her statement. “I’m only five foot three, but today I feel a little taller.”
Bush has enjoyed a career renaissance in recent years thanks to the inclusion of “Running Up That Hill” in Season 4 of Stranger Things. After appearing on the hit Netflix series, the 1985 single rocketed to the top of the UK and US charts, surpassed 1 billion streams on Spotify, and prompted the reclusive singer-songwriter to give an unexpected interview about its success.
“The whole world’s gone mad!” Bush joked about the renewed interest in her music. “There’s all these really young people hearing the song for the first time and discovering it. I think it’s so special.”
Now that she’s finally receiving the recognition she deserves, the art pop star plans to reissue her back catalog on vinyl with brand new cover art.
In addition to Bush and Taupin, the 2023 Rock and Roll Hall Fame class includes Rage Against the Machine, Willie Nelson, Missy Elliott, George Michael, Sheryl Crow, and The Spinners.
