FEATURE:
A Christmas Special
Kate Bush: Live at the BBC
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I have covered this a bit…
in a forthcoming feature where I was discussing Kate Bush T.V. appearances through the years. Having watched BBC Two’s Paul McCartney night on Saturday, I was especially struck by the show focusing on his performances at the BBC. I have been thinking how, given Kate Bush’s latest studio album, 50 Words for Snow, was released ten years ago yesterday, that anniversary should be marked. I am not sure whether there has been an equivalent to the trio of BBC shows about McCartney for Kate Bush. The BBC did broadcast a special some time ago of Bush’s appearances on the Beeb through the years:
“Wuthering Heights (Top Of The Pops, 23 March 1978)
Them Heavy People (Saturday Night At The Mill, 25 February 1978)
Moving (Saturday Night At The Mill, 25 February 1978)
Don't Push Your Foot On The Heartbrake (Sounds Like Friday: Leo Sayer, 17 November 1978)
Wow (Abba Easter Special, 21 April 1979)
Hammer Horror (Nationwide, 3 March 1979)
The Wedding List (Kate, 28 December 1979)
The Man With The Child In His Eyes (Kate, 28 December 1979)
Babooshka (Dr. Hook, 20 March 1980)
Running Up That Hill (Wogan, 5 August 1985)
Hounds Of Love (Top of the Pops, 6 March 1986)
Experiment IV (Wogan, 31 October 1986)
The Sensual World (music video, 1989)
This Woman's Work (Wogan, 6 December 1989)
Rocket Man (Wogan, 16 December 1991)
And So Is Love (Top of the Pops, 17 November 1994)”.
Because The Beatles’ documentary-film, The Beatles: Get Back, is on Disney+ on 25th, 26th and 27th November, I can understand why there was a Paul McCartney special. That and the fact he released his book of lyrics recently. Because there are a couple of Kate Bush anniversaries – her latest studio album at ten; the live album of Before the Dawn is five on 25th November -, it would be good to have a night on BBC Two where Kate Bush at the BBC was first. Like McCartney’s gig at The Cavern in 2018 was shown in full, maybe a broadcast of Kate Bush’s The Tour of Life in 1979? There is a lot to choose from. There have been a few documentaries about her through the years, so mixing them together with the BBC’s 2014 documentary would be awesome. Kate Bush’s 1993 film, The Line, the Cross and the Curve has not been seen much - so there would be a spot for that. The third part of the McCartney trilogy was his chat with Idris Elba from last year. There has not been anything like that with Kate Bush. There have been some extensive interviews so, whereas it would be hard to organise a special interview, fans would love to either see an interview compilation or a collection of her best music videos.
I have written a lot about how there has not been much representation of Kate Bush on T.V. through the years. No new documentaries or shows. She was interviewed a lot at the BBC and performed on many BBC shows too. I think that it would be very fitting having a three-show special night. Many fans would definitely be behind that! Ten years after her most-recent studio album, 50 Words for Snow, we have not heard anything in the way of new music. There have been books and articles written about her, but there is this hole regarding television. Maybe there is something in the works. Thinking about it, in 1979, Bush’s Christmas Special was broadcast. That is a really great broadcast where she performed her studio album songs (and other tracks). Peter Gabriel was a guest. Maybe that, if there was a broadcast at Christmas, it could be included. I know it might be a bit late to organise anything that would be shown at Christmas this late in the year. There is this archive and fascinating assortment of interviews and live performances that would bring in new Kate Bush fans. I feel there would be just as strong a wave of appreciation and fascination as there was with the Paul McCartney night. The closer we get to Christmas, the more I would love to watch a heart-warming and wonderful selection of Bush treasures! I am not sure whether the BBC have any plans, though many people would love if they could…
MAKE it happen.