366Art | Kate Bush

Today, July 30th, is the birthday of Kate Bush, singer, songwriter, and producer, known for her unique voice, artistic videos, and eclectic musical style. The editing above and her portrait on the musical reference works/birthday calendars below are made by me. 

Kate Bush was born on July 30, 1958, in Bexleyheath, Kent, England. She is known for her unique vocal sound and theatrical performances, combining elements of pop, rock, experimental music, and classical influences in her work. From a young age, Kate Bush showed an interest in music and dance; her father was a doctor and amateur pianist, and her mother was an Irish dancer. At the age of 16, she secured a record deal with EMI Records. In 1978, at the age of 19, she released her debut album, The Kick Inside, featuring the famous single Wuthering Heights. This self-written song, inspired by Emily Brontë's book of the same name, became an instant hit and brought her international fame.

Kate Bush's music is characterized by her expressive voice, using it in various ways to convey emotions and tell stories. Her songs range from soft ballads to powerful and energetic numbers. Throughout her career, Kate Bush has released several successful albums. Hounds of Love with Running Up That Hill and Cloudbusting., is often considered one of the most groundbreaking and artistic albums in music history. In addition to her musical achievements, Kate Bush is also known for her conceptual and visual approach to music videos and stage performances. Her extravagant and narrative music videos were among the first to use the medium of video as an artistic outlet. Bush's live shows are rare but legendary. Her 1979 tour, called The Tour of Life, was one of the first rock shows to integrate extensive theatrical elements and dance.

After the release of The Red Shoesin 1993, Kate Bush largely withdrew from the public spotlight to focus on her family and personal life. In 1998, Kate Bush became a mother to a son, Albert (Bertie) McIntosh. Although Bush withdrew from public life, she continued to make music and work on new projects, albeit at a slower pace and without the pressure of deadlines. After a 12-year absence, Kate Bush returned with the double album Aerial, released in November 2005.

Kate Bush is known for her reclusiveness and rare public appearances. In 2014, she made a remarkable comeback with her Before the Dawn concert at the Hammersmith Apollo in London. It was her first series of live performances since 1979, and tickets for the shows sold out within minutes.

Kate Bush is still regarded as one of the most influential and respected female artists in the music industry. Her music remains relevant, as evidenced by the renewed success of Running Up That Hill  in 2022 after it was used in the Netflix series Stranger Things. Kate Bush remains an iconic figure in the music world due to her innovative approach to music and her ability to combine personal and introspective themes with an artistic vision.