Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

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BUSH, Kate

(b 30 July 30 '58, Plumstead, England) Singer, composer. Precocious daughter of a Surrey doctor and a friend of Dave Gilmour of Pink Floyd, who subsidized her early demos, landed unusual deal with EMI, allowing her to take time over material. Scored no. 1 '78 with first single 'Wuthering Heights'; gothic Emily Bront‰ novel condensed to three minutes remains one of the most original records by a UK female singer. Unique vocal style showcased on debut album The Kick Inside '78, single 'Man With The Child In His Eyes' proved she was more than a one- hit wonder. 'Wow' '79 (no. 14) was her catchphrase (she had been mercilessly satirized on UK TV, a sure sign she had arrived). Lionheart late '78 followed by several Best Female Singer awards; theatrical sense with mime training made for exceptional live work; On Stage '79 was live EP. Never Forever '80 entered LP chart at no. 1. Sang on eponymous Peter Gabriel LP '80; own fourth album The Dreaming '82 was the only top three LP that year by a UK female singer, the songs inaccessible to some. Controversial 'biography' by Fred Vermorel published '83. 'Running Up That Hill' '85 followed by concept LP Hounds Of Love '86 (with elaborate video): side two of UK no. 1 LP inspired by Tennyson's poem 'The Holy Grail'. The Whole Story '86 compiled hit singles, incl. latest, 'Experimental IV'; she sang on Gabriel's So '86, contributed song to film Castaway '87. The Sensual World '89 had taken four years and was accordingly overproduced, with Nigel Kennedy on violin, piper Davy Spillane, Gilmour's guitar and a Bulgarian vocal trio; some said her little-girl voice was beginning to sound monotonous, others that it always had. David Sinclair in The Times described the album as 'a drifting piece of atmospheric waffle'. Red Shoes '93 was a collection of vivid emotions dedicated to her mother, who had died recently; guests incl. Kennedy, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Prince: at no. 28 the album was her biggest US hit to date.