2023
Big Boi
Kate Bush redefined the role of modern musical artist as both creative force and incorruptible independent entity. Fusing songcraft with dance, theater and film, she presented work as an immersive, often intentionally overwhelming experience. Employing cutting-edge technology, she produced previously unheard sonic textures, all wrapped in bewitching melodies and body-shaking rhythms. Across decades, she inspired artists to take joy in risk and to stay true to a singular vision.
Induction
Impact
Signature Sound
Unique Avant-Garde Art Pop
Kate Bush arrived in ’78 as a wunderkind art-pop phenomenon, with a powerful, theatrical voice unafraid of unleashing any and all emotions, backed by lush, unpredictable instrumentation. In the ‘80s and ‘90s, she pioneered sampling and offbeat sounds, mixed with classicism and accessible melodies. A pop visionary.
Inspired by Brontë’s novel, 19-year-old Bush’s brilliant first single hit No. 1 in the U.K. and is still celebrated at red-garbed flash mob dances.
From the Museum
Kate Bush’sInnovative Tech
Kate Bush was the first artist to use a headset mic onstage, beginning with her 1979 Tour of Life. Wanting to free her hands and showcase her dance and mime training during live performances,
Bush had her sound engineer, Martin Fisher, create a makeshift headset using a wire coat hanger. Here is one of her latterday wireless headsets.
From the Museum
Kate Bush’sInnovative Tech
Kate Bush was the first artist to use a headset mic onstage, beginning with her 1979 Tour of Life. Wanting to free her hands and showcase her dance and mime training during live performances,
Bush had her sound engineer, Martin Fisher, create a makeshift headset using a wire coat hanger. Here is one of her latterday wireless headsets.
Kate’s albums fill my head with ideas and expand my ambitions for what music can achieve.
Big Boi
2023 Hall of Fame Essay
"A career that would wrest the definition of art rock from the grip of her male mentors and open it up not only for women like herself but for the Black and queer innovators of today."
– Ann Powers
Influence
Ludwig Van Beethoven
Burt Bacharach
Teddy Randazzo
Kate Bush
sealed with a signature
This is the signature that appears on the inductee’s plaque at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame to officially commemorate their induction.
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