Kate Bush

Catherine "Kate" Bush, born on July 30, 1958, in Bexleyheath, Kent, England, is a highly influential British singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. Raised in an artistic family, she taught herself to play the piano at the age of 11 and was composing her own songs by her early teens. Her talent was recognized early on when a demo tape, funded by Pink Floyd's David Gilmour, led to a contract with EMI Records when she was just 16.

Early Career and Breakthrough

In 1978, at the age of 19, Bush burst onto the music scene with her debut single "Wuthering Heights," inspired by Emily Brontë's novel. The song's unique high-pitched vocals and literary theme made it a surprise hit, reaching number one on the UK charts and making her the first female artist to achieve a UK number one with a self-written song. Her debut album, "The Kick Inside" (1978), which included songs written in her early teens, was also a commercial success. This was followed by the album "Lionheart" later the same year. In 1979, she embarked on her only concert series for many years, "The Tour of Life," which was noted for its theatricality and use of a custom-made wireless headset microphone to allow for simultaneous singing and dancing.

Artistic Evolution

With her third album, "Never for Ever" (1980), Bush became the first British solo female artist to top the UK album chart and the first female artist ever to enter the chart at number one. This album marked a shift as she began to co-produce her work, a role she took on fully from her fourth album, "The Dreaming" (1982). "The Dreaming" saw her experiment with new musical technologies like the Fairlight CMI synthesizer, creating a more avant-garde and experimental sound.

Her 1985 album, "Hounds of Love," is often regarded as her masterpiece. It was a commercial and critical success, featuring the hit single "Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God)." The album is divided into two parts, with the second side, "The Ninth Wave," being a conceptual suite of songs.

Later Career and Hiatus

Bush continued to release acclaimed albums with "The Sensual World" (1989) and "The Red Shoes" (1993). Following "The Red Shoes," she took a 12-year hiatus from the music industry to focus on her family life.

She returned in 2005 with the double album "Aerial," which was met with widespread critical acclaim. This was followed by "Director's Cut" (2011), a project where she re-recorded songs from her previous albums, and "50 Words for Snow" (2011), an album of new material. In 2014, she returned to the stage for the first time in 35 years with a residency of 22 shows called "Before the Dawn," which sold out instantly.

Legacy and Influence

Kate Bush's eclectic and experimental musical style, her use of literary and historical themes, and her pioneering work in music video and stage performance have made her a significant influence on a wide range of artists. Her music has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years, notably when "Running Up That Hill" was featured in the Netflix series "Stranger Things" in 2022, bringing her work to a new generation of fans and topping charts worldwide. She was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2013 for her services to music.