FEATURE:
It’s Me, Cathy!
IN THIS PHOTO: Kate Bush during 2014’s Before the Dawn/PHOTO CREDIT: Ken McKay/Rex
Will It Finally Be Kate Bush’s Time for Inclusion in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame?
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BACK in 2018…
IN THIS PHOTO: Kate Bush during 1979’s The Tour of Life/PHOTO CREDIT: Max Browne
Kate Bush was among the nominees for inclusion in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. This year, as Under the Radar Mag explain, she is in the mix again with some legends:
“Nominees for the 2021 induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame have been announced. They include Kate Bush, Foo Fighters, The Go-Go’s, New York Dolls, JAY-Z, Tina Turner, Devo, Carole King, Rage Against the Machine, LL Cool J., Fela Kuti, Todd Rundgren, and more. The full list is below.
To be eligible an artist needs to have released their first album or single at least 25 years ago. First time nominees include Foo Fighters (which is their first year of eligibility), JAY-Z (which is also his first year of eligibility), Mary J. Blige, Fela Kuti, The Go-Go’s, Iron Maiden, and Dionne Warwick. Whereas Rage Against the Machine, Kate Bush, Devo, Tina Turner, Chaka Khan, Todd Rundgren, New York Dolls, Carole King, and LL Cool J have been nominated in previous years.
Turner was previously inducted as a duo with Ike Turner, Carole King was previously inducted as a songwriter with Gerry Goffin, and Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl was previously inducted with Nirvana.
Fans can vote for their favorite nominees at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame website and have until April 30 to do so. The inductees will be revealed in May, with a live ceremony planned for the fall.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame announces the Nominees for #RockHall2021 Induction - and the Fan Vote is now open. Watch the official announcement here, then head to https://t.co/9DIz8WWd6Z pic.twitter.com/tGuSzyvEYT
— Rock Hall (@rockhall) February 10, 2021
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2021 Nominees:
Mary J. Blige
Kate Bush
Devo
Foo Fighters
The Go-Go’s
Iron Maiden
JAY-Z
Chaka Khan
Carole King
Fela Kuti
LL Cool J
New York Dolls
Rage Against the Machine
Todd Rundgren
Tina Turner
Dionne Warwick”.
At the time of me writing this (11th February), Bush is quite low out of the nominees so, as it stands, would not win enough public votes for inclusion. I do hope that things change between now and April. I was shocked when she was not inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame a few years back. There are some who would argue that Bush has not really defined herself as a Rock artist. Look at the fifteen names above, and one can see Dionna Warwick, Fela Kuti, LL Cool J, Carole King, Chaka Khan, JAY-Z, and Mary J. Blige – can one really class them as ‘Rock’?” I think that Kate Bush’s impact and innovation since her debut album has warranted her a spot among those already inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. I saw a lot of support for her on social media when the announcement was made on Wednesday. This year’s list of nominees is really strong - but I do think that Bush’s brilliance and obvious impact on other musicians should be noted and rewarded.
Of course, it is not the be-all-and-end-all being in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. She has accrued many honours through her career so, if she was overlooked for a second time in four years, then that would not be too devastating. My five choices from the names above would be Kate Bush, The Go-Go’s, Tina Turner, Chaka Khan, and Rage Against the Machine. There is still a way to go and many more votes will come in. I have written various features pertaining to Bush’s influence and how she is one of these artists who continues to shape music and resonate with a new generation. In terms of her albums, one can hear so many evolutions and sounds. I think, purely as a producer and sonic innovator, she is stronger than many artists nominated this year for a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inclusion. Also, consider live shows like The Tour of Life, and Before the Dawn and how iconic they were. From the experimental nature of The Dreaming (1982), to the peerless Hounds of Love (1985), through to the double album of Aerial (2005), Bush has covered so much ground! It is not only her music that makes her a worthy name for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. She is a very independent artist and has forged her own path since the start of her career. Her grounded and warm personality has made her an international treasure; there are few who would argue against Bush making it into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Even though she is in the lower placings of the fifteen artists so far, with a bit of a push and drive, maybe Kate Bush can soar high…
IN the public vote.