FEATURE:
Our Honour
IN THIS PHOTO: Kate Bush in 2014/PHOTO CREDIT: Trevor Leighton
Kate Bush: Fellow of The Ivors Academy
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EACH week seems to bring…
something new in terms of Kate Bush news. I saw on Twitter yesterday that Mark Radcliffe (BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 6 Music) has made a film about Bush and her debut single, Wuthering Heights, and that is going out around Christmas time. There is always online fascination and adoration concerning Bush and her music but, today (23rd September), she was made a Fellow of The Ivors Academy. Music Week explains:
“British music legend Kate Bush has been made a Fellow of The Ivors Academy in recognition of her "peerless and enduring achievements in music".
The award is the organisation's highest honour and is only the 20th Fellowship to be awarded in its 76-year history, with Bush joining previous recipients including Annie Lennox, Paul McCartney and Elton John.
“I feel really honoured to be given this fellowship by The Ivors Academy. It means so very much to me," said Bush, who also receives a dedicated Ivor Novello Award, depicting Euterpe, the ancient Greek Muse of lyric poetry.
"Thank you to all my family and friends and to everyone who has been there for me over the years," she added. "I’ll treasure this statue of Euterpe always and ask her to sit on my shoulder while I work.”
Commenting on Bush’s honour, Annie Lennox, who was made a Fellow of the Academy in 2015, said, “I’m delighted beyond words that Kate Bush is being recognised and honoured with an Ivors Academy Fellowship. I cannot think of anyone more deserving than the uniquely innovative singer songwriter, performer, producer and remarkable artist that she is. She is visionary and iconic and has made her own magical stamp upon the zeitgeist of the British cultural landscape.”
Joan Armatrading, the most recent music creator to receive Fellowship prior to Bush, said: "Kate Bush is undoubtedly one of Britain’s best loved legendary singer/songwriters, an inspiration to many and deserving of the Fellowship. This is the highest award The Ivors Academy can bestow on any artist. I’m delighted that she takes her place of recognition and I send my hearty congratulations."
Elton John, who became a Fellow of The Ivors Academy in 2004, described Kate Bush as “A truly inspirational, innovative British songwriter and artist. A legacy full of classic works.
Fellow of the Academy David Arnold said, "I’ve not met an artist in the 30 years of working in music who doesn’t love Kate Bush. Since she emerged, seemingly fully formed as an artist in the 1970s, she immediately claimed a place in the arts as a true original with a raw, pure, visionary talent.
“A writer who pushed the boundaries of what songwriting could be, a producer showing us how exciting and challenging the sound of a record could be and a performer who mesmerised, enchanted and drew her audience in to the worlds she had so beautifully and fully created.
Crispin Hunt, chair of The Ivors Academy, said, “As a music creator it is unnerving when you know that your words will fall short, but this is one of those times. Kate’s talent is incalculable, her achievements are peerless and artistry leaves you breathless. Countless songwriters and composers have referenced how Kate has informed their musical development. On behalf of all songwriters and composers, The Ivors Academy is giving Kate the highest honour we can bestow as a heartfelt expression of our love and admiration”.
Maybe there will be incentive for Bush to release some music this or next year, as there is this continuing wave of affection and appreciation for everything she does. I am glad about her latest honour, as Bush has inspired and affected so many artists and fans since her first single. It makes me wonder, as I have mused before whether Kate Bush should be made a Dame. Already, she is a CBE – which she was awarded in 2013, but I do think there is nobody more deserving of being made a Dame than her! I think everyone would react very positively to that, and I am sure that she would not object! Whatever happens, it is nice to see that Bush is being bestowed with honours in a year that is as hard for her as many other people. Even though Bush has not performed live or put out new music for a while, her influence is everywhere. There are few artists who have connected with such a wide and varied musical audience as Kate Bush. I am excited to see what comes of the Mark Radcliffe programme later this year, and you never know what lays ahead when it comes to Kate Bush news. This latest announcement has been met with hearty congratulations and appreciation, and it is thoroughly deserved! In future weeks, I am going to write features regarding specific songs from Bush, just to highlight what a unique and consistently innovative songwriter she is. In a week that has delivered bad news and very little cheer, it is great that music fans can throw a salute to…
PHOTO CREDIT: Gered Mankowitz
AN icon and musical hero.