In this new episode of the Kate Bush Fan Podcast, Seán introduces Paul and Darrell’s exclusive Bush Telegraph interview with the iconic dancer and choreographer, Anthony van Laast. Anthony was the choreographer for the Tour of Life in 1979, after having featured opposite Kate in the ‘Hammer Horror’ video and European TV appearances. His incredible work with Kate on tour, and subsequent work on the BBC ‘Kate Show’ are discussed in this interview, including his work on the making of ‘The Wedding List’ film. Anthony has been the leading choreographer on many movies and stage works, including ‘Mamma Mia’ and the Royal Variety performances. What was it like to work with Kate, as well as other icons, including Meryl Streep, Cher and Barry Humphries, to name a few.
Note: This being the first Kate Bush Fan Podcast since Del Palmer’s passing, Seán spends some time at the start of the episode talking about Del and what he meant to all of us – of course, Seán intends to make a special podcast episode all about Del at a later date.
Anthony and Kate rehearse for the Lionheart Tour, 1979
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Wishing our inspiring and brilliant friend, the poet, writer and photographer (and of course Kate’s eldest brother) John Carder Bush, an exquisitely wonderful day today as he celebrates his 80th birthday! John, you never cease to astound us with your brilliance, endless creativity, wit and warmth. Your writing is a constant gift. As his little sister Kate once wrote, “Growing up with a writer and poet in the family is a wonderful thing…whenever I read John’s work I can hear his voice, like that of a great actor, and the strum of his acoustic guitar as he speaks.”
You can celebrate John today by listening to our extensive two-part Kate Bush Fan Podcast episode (links: Part One / Part Two), where Seán met up with John at his home in London and discussed John’s early life, how he developed his writing, his days playing in folk bands in London (with a young Kate taking notes), forming the Salatticum Poets with his great friends Tony Buzan and Jeremy Cartland, the story behind “Nicholas Wade” of the Kate Bush Club fame, his involvement in Kate’s career, the 1979 tour, his famous video set and album/single cover photographs, the poetry books, novels and photo books he has published, his collaborations with Vivienne Chandler, his involvement in the Japanese martial art of Kyudo, the re-grouping of the Salatticum Poets in the 21st century, his return to the Jig of Life narration for Before the Dawn – and a lot more! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JOHN! – Seán, Krys, Peter and Dave xxx
Kate performs with Steve Harley (and Peter Gabriel) in aid of Bill Duffield 1979
Steve Harley, the frontman of the rock group Cockney Rebel, has died aged 73. The English singer and songwriter, best known for his 1975 song Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me), had been receiving treatment for cancer. He died at his Suffolk home on Sunday morning.
Two other members of Cockney Rebel, Stuart Elliott (drums) and Duncan Mackay (keyboards) would play on Kate’s albums. Near the end of her run of shows for the Lionheart Tour in 1979, Kate played a special concert May 12th at the Hammersmith Odeon in aid of Bill Duffield, her lighting engineer who tragically died after the first performance in Poole. Steve Harley was her special guest on the night along with Peter Gabriel, performing on versions of Them Heavy People, The ‘Woman’ With the Child in Her Eyes, Best Years of Our Lives, Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me) and Let it Be. Always a staunch supporter of Kate’s work, Steve would report on his BBC Radio 2 shows when he’d hear any Kate news worth reporting, and was interviewed on several radio and television programmes for his impressions on Kate’s return to the live stage in 2014.
“Whoever you know him as, his heart exuded only core elements. Passion, kindness, generosity. And much more, in abundance,” his wife, Dorothy, and daughters Kerr and Greta wrote in a statement.
“The birdsong from his woodland that he loved so much was singing for him. His home has been filled with the sounds and laughter of his four grandchildren.”
Sending our condolences to Steve’s family and loved ones.
New data has revealed the most popular running songs in the US – and Kate’s Running Up That Hill ranks top. The research, conducted by casino sweepstake comparison site Casinos Sweeps, used Spotify’s Playlist Miner tool to determine the top songs included in 1,400 ‘jogging’ and ‘running’ related playlists that Americans turn to when they need encouragement to keep going.
Running Up That Hill is the most loved song by Americans to keep them moving, appearing 196 times. Since music has the power to trigger dopamine release, creating the right playlist can give that final push to lace up your trainers. I’m Good (Blue) by David Guetta ranks second as the next-best choice for keeping energy levels high with 136 (9.7%) placements in jogging and running-related playlists. In third with 124 mentions (8.9%) is The Weeknd’s Blinding Lights. Prada by Cassö claims the fourth spot, featured 91 times (6.5%). [Thanks to Collin Kelley for the info!]
This week director/producer Ross Duffer (of the Duffer Brothers) has posted several new images on his Instagram account from the set of the Netflix TV show Stranger Things, currently filming its fifth and final season. Among them are shots of the actors Sadie Sink and Caleb McLaughlin who play the characters of Max and Lucas. He also draws attention in another photo to the cassette tape lying on the bedside locker in Max’s hospital room – Kate’s Hounds of Love. While the actress Sadie Sink is awake and smiling in the snap we are to understand that in the show she is in a coma due to the injuries she sustained in the dramatic finale of season 4 with the monstrous Vecna. Season 5 is expected to be released in 2025. The artwork shown is a slightly different Greek edition of the Hounds of Love cassette so we presume her kind pals in the town of Hawkins have replaced it for her!
Max and her original Kate Bush cassette – Stranger Things season 4 (2022)
As everyone knows, Kate’s Running Up That Hill featured extensively in season 4 of the show as the character of Max found salvation through the use of her favourite song. Consequently, in 2022 Kate had the biggest global smash hit single of her career! [our podcast recap of that ‘Summer of Kate’ is below] Does the photo from Ross Duffer signal more use of Kate’s music in the next season? Who knows…
Lucas holds Max’s hand in a new behind the scenes photo
Eat The Music 10″ picture disc front artwork and sticker
Kate has been announced as the official UK ambassador for this year’s Record Store Day, on 20th April! To mark this she will release a limited 10″ UV-printed picture disc of Eat The Music on the day. The BBC were first to break the news this morning with quotes from Kate’s statement. Since 2009 artists such as Ozzy Osbourne, Iggy Pop, Jack White, Chuck D, Dave Grohl, Metallica, St. Vincent, Pearl Jam, Brandi Carlile and Taylor Swift have worn the annual “ceremonial sash” and used their high profiles to help promote the event online. The band, Paramore, have been named US ambassadors for the 2024 event. Find your local participating record store here.
Following on from her vinyl single releases to support independent stores on Record Store Day in previous years (Hounds of Love, Lake Tahoe and Running Up That Hill 2012 remix) on Saturday April 20th 2024 Kate will release a limited 10″ 3-track picture disc single of her joyous, Madagascan-infused 1993 song, Eat The Music, taken from The Red Shoes album. The 10″ disc features the cover art as a colour UV print on a side without grooves, with all three tracks on the other side, additionally including Lily and Big Stripey Lie, both also taken from The Red Shoes album.
The Eat The Music front disc artwork features the original single cover photo by John Carder Bush of Kate’s hands delving into the luscious fruit…”Split me open, with devotion, you put your hands in, and rip my heart out, eat the music….rip them to pieces, with sticky fingers…” The reverse side is white vinyl pressed with grooves playing the 3 tracks.
Kate’s statement in full:
What a huge honour to have been asked to be Ambassador for this year’s Record Store Day. It really is a great privilege.
Isn’t it great to see how the resurgence in vinyl has taken the Music Industry by complete surprise? It had decided to leave vinyl far behind, but it would seem that not everyone agrees! I love that!
I know there are many, many artists who are just as excited to see the audience turning the tide.
In the same way that some people like to read a book on Kindle but also want to have a book as a physical object, a lot of people like vinyl and streaming. Both have different appeals.
The added bonus of vinyl is that it encourages people to listen to albums. An art form that I’ve always thought can be treasured in a unique way.
An album on vinyl is a beautiful thing, given a strong identity by its large-scale artwork. There’s a much more personal connection with the artist and their work.
It’s been fun putting designs together for some of the previous RSDs. This year’s design echoes the cancelled release of ‘Eat the Music’ as the first single from the album, ‘The Red Shoes’. The image was intended to be on the cover of the single bag and is now on the disc as a UV print. The title, ‘Eat the Music’, is meant to be a playful nod to ‘If music be the food of love, play on,’ from Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night.
Each year Record Store Day gathers more attention, more momentum, and attracts more people who cram into indie record stores all over the world to see what’s up. What’s new? This year, I hope you have a fantastic time at this very important event, and that you get to celebrate music that’s been specially released for you.
Very best wises,
kate
Eat The Music 10″ picture disc rear disc artwork with grooves and label
Kate has posted a clip of the disc being manufactured:
Columbia Records released Eat The Music as the lead single from The Red Shoes in the US, while EMI chose Rubberband Girl everywhere else in the world. Eat The Music was also released in The Netherlands and Australia, along with a handful of other countries. The single reached #10 on the US Modern Rock Tracks chart.
SOOZ KEMPNER SINGS KATE BUSH AT THE RVT, LONDON – WITH SPECIAL GUEST MICHAEL MAYELL – Friday 15th March 2024 (Tickets)
Sooz Kempner is the brilliant stand up comedian, with sell out Edinburgh shows and a Doctor Who spin off, who has one of the best voices on the UK cabaret scene, AND who just happens to be a massive Kate Bush fan.
If you have seen Sooz perform at Sunday Cabaret or one of the Kate themed charity shows at The RVT, you will have heard her stunning versions of songs such as Running Up That Hill, This Woman’s Work and Moments of Pleasure, plus her hilarious versions of Kate singing other people’s songs. NOW, in conjunction with HomeGround and KateBushNews.com, we are bringing you a whole show of Sooz singing Kate, plus she will be joined by the brilliant Michael Mayell, (formerly of the band Cloudbusting) on piano. This show will of course include some of Kate’s biggest hits, but also some real fan favourites, album tracks, b sides… it’s going to be a night for all Kate fans, whether you have loved her since Wuthering Heights or were introduced to her music by Stranger Things. (Tickets)
Go West – The King is Dead – 7″ single cover with hype sticker, 1987
In 1987, English pop duo, Go West, issued their second studio album which featured the single The King is Dead with Kate on backing vocals. The story goes that Kate’s guitarist, Alan Murphy, was working on the album with the band in Denmark and asked Kate if she could do some vocals on the track. Kate obliged by sending tapes over to them to work with. Apart from her repeatedly singing the song title behind much of the second half of the track, at 1 minute 45 seconds Kate belts out:
“You let me in behind the lies, but you’re no use to me life size…”
This month, Chrysalis Records have reissued the album in a deluxe package on CD/DVD and on vinyl record and it features a new previously unreleased version of the song, The King Is Dead (12″ Long Vibe Piano Mix). We can hear more Kate backing vocals, in particular a striking moment at the 4 minute 37 seconds mark! You can hear the track on Spotify here or on Youtube here. Album can be ordered here.
Go West – Dancing on the Couch reissue, clear vinyl edition, January 2024
From vocalist Peter Cox on the band’s official site: “At one point Richard said that it would be great if we could get a female backing vocal on the song ..someone like Kate Bush’. Al (Murphy, guitarist) had played in Kate’s band for many years and said, ‘Why not just ask Kate?’ He called her – she graciously agreed, and we sent her the multitrack tape. It was quite the moment when we heard what she had done – we hadn’t given her any notes or guidance, just let her do her fabulous thing.” Richard Drummie of the band continues: “This song is about meeting a hero and your established perception of them being different from the reality. That’s not their fault.. ‘no one’s to blame.. but it immediately appeared as a poignant situation we could write about. We wrote the song really quickly.”
Kate fan Jeremy Unruh with the first copy of The Kick Inside coloured vinyl we’ve seen
Finally! Yes, of the ten gorgeous new coloured vinyl indie store editions of Kate’s albums this one has taken the longest to perfect and get out there! The Kick Inside on Mango Chutney translucent vinyl is finally being shipped to the US and to fans who ordered it on import elsewhere. Pictured is a beaming fan in France, our friend Jeremy Unruh, who scored the FIRST copy we’ve seen photographed out in the wild! Well done, Jeremy (and well done Jeremy’s husband, our friend Tristan!) – you both now have the full set. Delighted for you guys – enjoy (yes, we’re a little jealous here).
Beautiful! As promised, Kate will continue to release this series of illustrated vinyl editions of her albums, following Hounds of Love (Baskerville Edition), with The Dreaming (Escapologist Edition). As before, this features illustrations by Timorous Beasties, this time the front cover depicting the padlock (and a new ladybird friend!) for which escapologist Harry Houdini’s wife secretly passed the key from her mouth – as famously depicted by Kate and Del on the cover of the original album. Spot a KT symbol?
The Dreaming (Escapologist Edition) rear cover
The rear cover emulates the ivy and lyric quote from the original album sleeve, with some elegant dragonflies among the leaves. The inner sleeve depicts Harry’s successful escape. The album is issued on a single black vinyl disc with the 2018 remastered audio. The sleeve is banded by an obi strip with the album title. It is available for pre-order from Kate’s site and is shipped in late January, in time for Valentine’s Day, Feb 14th.
When we were recording The Dreaming album, I mentioned to my friend, Kevin McAlea, that I’d written a song for the album about Houdini.
Kevin then told me how Houdini’s wife used to pass a key to her husband with a kiss, just before he went on to perform one of his miraculous escapes. It was such a powerful image, I had to write it into the song …
… Then I thought how great it’d be as the front cover of the album, revealing the key in her mouth just before the kiss.
This new Edition tells in its own way, another version of the story –
A story that sets him free …
‘With a kiss, I’d pass the key’
Kate
Kate’s online store has four new items of merchandise which incorporate the new Escapologist Edition illustrated designs – a white t-shirt including back print, a bandana, a padlock enamel pin badge and a ceramic tile with wooden stand.
This latest Ultimate Record Collection bookazine reviews and ranks the 500 Greatest Albums of the 1980s, as voted for by Uncut Magazine’s team of experts. While all four of Kate’s 1980s albums make the list, we think everyone can guess which one was honoured with the No.1 spot in this top 500! A great way to remember so much wonderful music from that brilliant decade, the magazine is available to order online here.
As we all come to terms with the loss of Del Palmer, here at katebushnews.com we’ve been discussing ways to remember and celebrate his life with you. We will be putting a podcast episode together, but one idea was to share some excerpts about Del from the pages of HomeGround Magazine. So, just as we shared the 40th anniversary special with you online in 2022 as a free PDF file download, we have put together this special issue of HomeGround which we hope manages to touch just a little on what made Del the incredible man that he was – but we know it only scratches the surface. Del passed away at home on Friday 5th January, surrounded by his family.
Krys, Peter, Dave and Seán have all written about Del for this memorial issue and you will find articles, photos and memories covering his life and career in music, including the indispensable interview with him that was conducted by HomeGround in 2007, not long after the release of the Aerial album. We hope that you find some comfort and happy memories in remembering Del this way, and that this helps to reflect the enormous outpouring of sadness and sympathy from you all around the world since the sad news was announced.
How do I get my copy of HomeGround’s Del Palmer memorial issue?
Option 2) View online. You can read this special issue of HomeGround on any browser/device below as a flipbook. This is quite handy and we think you’ll only have to click away one pesky ad before reading. NB: We recommend that you view it FULLSCREEN. To open in Fullscreen click on the three dots on the top menu and select the Fullscreen option from the dropdown. You may need to close one brief advertisement when the magazine first opens. For iPads/tablets or phones it may be better to use this direct link to view the magazine online. Rotating your device from portrait to landscape orientation will display the magazine in the recommended two page spread.
Photo by Edward Quant – Del playing his “Egly” bass at the Belfast Empire, Nov 25th 2018
We are heartbroken to tell you that Del Palmer passed away at home, yesterday, Friday January 5th, surrounded by his family. Del had dealt with health issues over the last few years and the announcement came today on social media from his niece, Debbii Louise Palmer on behalf of Del’s family. We don’t need to tell anyone out there the monumental role Del has always played in Kate’s work and music – it’s impossible to quantify. As this news sinks in, we will have more to share with you all about our friend Del, and we will be talking much more about his incredible life and career in the coming days as we remember this remarkable musician and wonderful, irreplaceable man.
We extend our deepest sympathies to Del’s family and loved ones, to Kate, to his many friends, and all the people who knew and worked with Del throughout his brilliant career in music. He’ll be so very missed. Rest in peace, Del. You are so loved – Seán, Peter, Krys and Dave x
Update from Kate (10th Jan): Kate has remembered Del on her official site. We again extend our deepest sympathies to you, Kate.
Del
It’s hard to know what to say… He was a big part of my life and my work for many years.
It’s going to take a long time to come to terms with him not being here with us.
He was incredibly creative – talented in lots of different ways. He was a brilliant musician, bass player, a great artist – he was always drawing. Once he covered a whole recording consul in cartoons. It took him days and it looked absolutely stunning.
He taught himself to be a recording engineer, engineering several of my albums and later releasing his own.
The image above is a mosaic that Del made. He called it Tree of Life.
Happy New Year to all our site visitors, our podcast listeners, and to Kate Bush fans everywhere. You are all wonderful and we are so grateful to have had you visit us. 2024 is a brand new year for our beautiful, one and only, planet – the fact that you listen to, embrace and share powerful music like that of Kate’s and other incredible artists has already made next year SO much better. You are amazing. Thank you for making things better. Continue to enjoy and share all the good things in 2024.
A digitally expanded version of the album artwork for The Red Shoes
Hoping that you are all enjoying a wonderful Christmas season! In our latest episode of the Kate Bush Fan Podcast, Paul in the UK, and Darrell in the USA, continue their album anniversary podcast chats and reminiscences. Paul and Darrell have been life-long fans of Kate, and from school friends to the present day, they have much to chat about. Here they discuss Kate’s seventh album ‘The Red Shoes‘, celebrating the 30th anniversary of this iconic album. We get to hear about their first responses to the album in 1993, and how they feel about it today. We also get to hear about Paul’s experience of going to the film premiere of ‘The Line, The Cross, And The Curve’, Kate’s visual companion to the album. Journal reviews are discussed and radio clips are played, bringing us right back to where it all started with this most personal of Kate’s albums. That and whole lot more. Enjoy!
You can subscribe to the Kate Bush Fan Podcast on iTunes or Spotify or on any podcast app you happen to use, such as Podcast Addict or Tunein or listen below on Soundcloud.
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