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Legendary ‘Kate’ BBC Special from 1979 to air on BBC4 Sunday April 26th

Digital channel BBC4 will be screening the full special that Kate made for the BBC in 1979 on Sunday April 26th at 00:10. The 1979 Christmas special features Kate performing Gymnopedie No 1, Symphony in Blue, Them Heavy People, Madrigal, December, Wedding List, Egypt, Waltz/Why Did I Ever Go Marry Her, Man with the Child in His Eyes and Don’t Push Your Foot on the Heartbrake. Guest star Peter Gabriel sings Here Comes the Flood and duets with Kate on Another Day. This seems to be part of an evening of specials devoted to the “Queens of British Pop” featured in the recent BBC documentary.

BBC Documentary – view clips and vote at BBC site

The BBC site has been updated with interview clips (including Del Palmer, John Carder Bush, Peter Gabriel, John Lydon, Anthony Van Laast and Mark Radcliffe all talking about Kate) from Wednesday night’s upcoming documentary “Queens of British Pop” here. And in conjunction with this two-part programme, the BBC are asking site visitors to vote on “your favourite Queen of British Pop” – read more here.

“Queens of British Pop” BBC1 documentary airs 1st April

‘Oh Johnny it sounds like a bag of cats!’
John Lydon’s mum on Kate Bush (Queens Of British Pop, BBC1)

As previously reported Kate will be one of the subjects of a major 2-part arts documentary by Dione Newton that celebrates Britain’s most admired female singers from the Sixties to present day. Kate will be featured in the first of two programmes airing April 1st BBC1 at 22.45 (except BBC1 Northern Ireland 23.25 and BBC1 Scotland 23.35). Del Palmer has been interviewed for this programme. The Radio Times preview the programme: “There are no surprises in this cheery canter through a roster of British pop queens from the 1970s and 80s, but there are some good old clips and some pretty high-quality talking heads.” David Chater in The Times calls it “an engrossing compilation of fresh insight and cheerful nostalgia”. From the BBC: “Queens of British Pop and narrator Liza Tarbuck offer a celebration of 6 female pop stars, singers and icons that lit us up from the early 60s to the late 70s. Programme 1 tells the story of Dusty SpringfieldSandie ShawMarianne FaithfullSuzi QuatroSiouxsie Sioux andKate Bush – some of the female artists that emerged alongside some of Britain’s defining musical movements, from the Swinging Sixties through to glam rock and punk. We give an insight into the lives of these top female artists, offering first-hand or eyewitness accounts of the highs, the lows and the obstacles they had to overcome. Our selected artists have pushed boundaries, played around with gender roles and had their private lives overshadow their success, but it is their experiences that have helped change the face of British pop as we know it today. Includes new interviews with Sandie Shaw, Marianne Faithfull, Suzi Quatro, Siouxsie Sioux and contributions from Tom Jones, Lulu, Burt Bacharach, John Lydon, Martha Reeves, Nancy Sinatra, Mark Radcliffe, Henry Winkler, Marc Almond, Peter Gabriel, Claire Grogan, Jarvis Cocker, Kiki Dee, Nigel Havers, Lily Allen and Adele, to name but a few. The second show takes viewers from the early Eighties to the present day, completing the odyssey by looking at the impact made by Annie Lennox, Alison Moyet, Kylie Minogue, Geri Halliwell, Amy Winehouse and Leona Lewis.” (thanks to Greg Gilligan and Thomas Pilcher)

Kate included in major BBC1 documentary this Spring

Kate will be one of the subjects of a major 2-part arts documentary that celebrates Britain’s most admired female singers from the Sixties to present day, currently scheduled to transmit on primetime BBC1 in Spring ’09. Also featured will be Dusty Springfield, Annie Lennox and others. Del Palmer is to be interviewed for the documentary in the coming week and apparently David Gilmour, Tori Amos, Alison Goldfrapp, Mark Radcliffe, Andrew Powell and John Carder Bush have all been approached to talk about Kate. On his Myspace Del reveals that the BBC will ask him about her unique songwriting style, her creativity in the studio and the songs which have inspired so many musicians. With thanks to Del for this news, read more at his Myspace page hereUPDATE: The documentary is expected to air in March 2009.

BBC runs Greatest Living Icon poll…with Kate

The BBC television programme The Culture Show is running a vote for people’s favourite British Cultural Icon. They have shortlisted the TOP 10 icons nominated by their viewers. Kate is joined in the Top 10 by David Attenborough, Alan Bennett, David Bowie, Michael Caine, Stephen Fry, Paul McCartney, Morrissey, Kate Moss and Vivienne Westwood. You can read more (and more importantly vote for Kate!) at their page hereThe National Portrait Gallery will be exhibiting portraits of the winning icons from early December. Watch Antony Hegarty (of Antony & The Johnstons) explain why Kate deserves the allocade here on YouTube. Apart from voting online, in the UK you can vote by SMStext ICON BUSH to 83199. (Texts charged at your standard rate.) OR you can phone your vote to 09015 22 33 44 (You will hear an automated message which will guide you through a list of the ten icons. To vote you will need to press the corresponding number on your keypad.) Calls cost 15p

Aerial nominated for a South Bank Show award!

The annual South Bank Show awards are the only British awards to cover all areas of the arts including pop, film, dance and opera. The awards ceremony takes place at London’s Savoy Hotel on Friday 27th January. Aerial is one of three nominations in the Pop category along with Gorillaz “Demon Days” and Richard Hawley “Coles Corner”. The awards will be broadcast on ITV1 on Sunday night 29th January, 23:10–00:25. The South Bank Show is one of Britain’s most prominent arts programmes, presented by Melvyn Bragg. Read more about what promises to be a star-studded event here. UPDATE 27th January: Kate eventually lost out to Richard Hawley in today’s award ceremony.

This Woman’s Work becomes surprise instant hit download in the UK!

I have received a large heap of email enquiries from people in the UK who saw the ITV drama“Walk Away And I Stumble” starring Tamzin Outhwaite (pictured) on the 15th November who are desperate to find out the name of the song by Kate featured prominently (and tastefully) in the show. It caused a great deal of interest among the 7 million viewers who watched it. The song was Kate’s This Woman’s Work and it has since rocketed to the number 3 most popular downloaded song on UK iTunes only beaten by the latest offerings from Girls Aloud and Madonna! This Woman’s Work, from Kate’s 1989 album The Sensual World is easily one of the most popular songs Kate has ever recorded, despite originally being a relatively minor hit single for Kate. It has been used many times in TV soundtracks (Alias and Felicity in the US for example). This is also a nice boost for Kate’s profile with Aerial high in the charts and the Christmas spending frenzy kicking in. (cough, cough, ahem…this is how mega-selling Christmas singles are spawned EMI!…just ask Gary Jules) p.s. Read some viewer reaction here

Kate Supports Jaclyn Bell on Tonight’s Stars In Their Eyes

Jaclyn BellIn the Glasgow Evening Times on Thursday 29th it is revealed that Kate has sent a message of support to the 16-year-old Scot, Jaclyn Bell, who will be impersonating her in the grand final of Stars in their Eyes Kids: “Kate was so impressed by Barrhead High School pupil Jaclyn Bell’s version of her hit, Wuthering Heights, that she took time out from recording her latest album to reveal she will be watching the show on Saturday. Kate said: “I am flattered Jaclyn chose to perform one of my songs. She was wonderful and I really hope she wins. “I will be watching and voting for her and send her all my support.” Jaclyn, who has been singing since she was two, decided to be Kate Bush after being inspired by her mum’s record collection. The teenager said: “Kate’s message has made me even more determined to win. I hope I impress her.” In another article in The Express it is reported that: “Singer Kate Bush has given her backing to a schoolgirl who will be imitating her in the final of Stars in their Eyes Kids. The singer predicted: “I’m sure she’ll reach her own Wuthering Heights.” The diva was so impressed by Jaclyn Bell’s amazing version of her famous hit that she took time out from recording to send her a message of support for the big night. Kate also said she will be glued to her TV on Saturday as Jaclyn, 16, takes to the stage alongside classmate Ashley McCullagh, who has made the final as Shania Twain. Incredibly the two finalists live close to each other, are the same age and in the same classes at Barrhead High School, Renfrewshire.” They also mention that Kate is busy recording her album. A previous contestant on the show who sang Kate’s Babooshka, Louise Halliday, was given the original Babooshka video cloak as a gift from Kate. (thanks to bigstripeybrian and also to Michael Leitz) The live final of Stars In Their Eyes is at 6.30pm ITV in the UK today, 31st May.

Update: From the Glasgow Evening Times, UK – 2 June 2003:  “New Scots TV stars get heroes’ welcome. Jaclyn Bell and Ashley McCullagh might have missed out on the top prize when they appeared in the Stars in Their Eyes Kids live final on TV. The 16-year-olds came in third and fifth out of nine contestants in the live final on Saturday night. Jaclyn stunned the audience with her rendition of Kate Bush’s hit single Wuthering Heights. And after her performance she was in tears when presenter Cat Deeley handed her a 1978 platinum disc and hand-written note from Kate Bush. Jaclyn, who came in third place with 77,745 votes, said: “It was just amazing and I enjoyed every minute of it. “I was so shocked when they gave me the platinum disc, I hadn’t expected anything and it was the best compliment to have her backing.” See also April 19th news on Jaclyn.

TV Alert!

On Saturday 5th April on ITV in the UK schoolgirl Jaclyn Bell (16) is going to impersonate Kate (most likely Wuthering Heights) on Stars In Their Eyes, 7pm. Read more here: http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/hi/news/5014308.html

An Alan Partridge mystery

Alan PartridgeWe’re having a bit of fun here with an Alan Partridge mystery. Quite a few people noticed a certain caller called “Mary” featuring on the hit BBC sitcom in two of Alan’s recent radio phone-ins. Due to comedian Steve Coogan’s constant Kate referencing (he famously performed a very funny Kate Bush Medley), and due to the uncanny familarity of the voice of Mary, fans are wondering – was that Kate cameoing vocally on the comedy series? Well, I have no official answer but perhaps this is another mystery like the Depeche Mode album cover (A Broken Frame) which is supposed to feature Kate…we may never know! Have a look-listen to the two clips on the BBC site and see what you think…here and here.

“Locked In” documentary airs

BBC2 are screening a television documentary about a young brain injured girl who is taken from Scotland to London to try to stimulate a flicker of response in a specialist unit. Her love of Kate’s music is spoken of and used to try to acheive a response, and Kate’s music is also used as a part of the film. The film is entitled “Locked In” and part one will be screened on BBC2 at 11.20pm on Tuesday 17th December 2003. From the BBC site: “This two part series explores the devastating affect that a coma can have on a person and their family. Diagnosed as vegetative seven years ago following a seizure, Joanne Douglas is about to embark on the most important journey of her life. Her parents are convinced that Joanne is showing increased signs of awareness. They believe that she is locked in, hearing and understanding everything but unable to communicate. The only way to find out is to send her to be tested by experts in London.” (thanks to Alan on RMG and Cynthia Conrad for letting us know)

Kate on SNL

US TV News: The Eric Idle/Kate Bush episode of Saturday Night Live (1978), Kate’s first appearance in the US, aired in it’s entirety at 1:30am MST on most NBC stations.

Kate at #11 in BBC All Time Number Ones Poll

50 Years Of The UK Singles ChartKate has been very highly placed in the BBC Radio 2 poll of it’s listeners top 100 favourite number one singles. The poll marks the 50th anniversary of the UK charts. Wuthering Heights was placed at number 11, the highest placing by a female artist. The chart was broadcast on Saturday. Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” topped the chart. The result has gotten a splash of media coverage, mostly due to the lack of newer acts, such as The Guradian newspaper here, also one of many reports here, and the main BBC Radio 2 site here.  BBC DJ Simon Mayo can be seen talking about why he chose Kate on this video clip here. (thanks to Michael Leitz and Greg Gilligan)

Top of the Pops vote

The BBC are giving Kate fans the opportunity to have their favourite appearence by Kate on Top Of The Pops aired. Choose between Wuthering Heights, Wow, Hounds Of Love, Running Up That Hill or And So Is Love at the TOTP2 website here. The show will be aired on November 12th, BBC2. UPDATE: After initially listing And So Is Love as the winner, the BBC now say Running Up That Hill was the popular choice in the end.

Kate Wins Ivor Novello Award For Outstanding Contribution To British Music!

The BBC have just reported that Kate is among the musicians honoured at today’s prestigious Ivor Novello Awards ceremony in London. The awards, now in its 47th year,  honour the contribution of songwriters, composers and music publishers to the industry in 2001, selected by the British Academy of Composers and Songwriters.

On receiving her award Kate said: “It’s so special to be thought of as a songwriter. This means so much to me, I’ll really treasure this.”

From the BBC News report: “Dido, Kate Bush and the team behind Kylie Minogue’s recent smash hit (incl Cathy Dennis) have won Ivor Novello songwriting awards, marking a success for women songwriters….veteran singer-songwriter Kate Bush completed the successes for women with her award for heroutstanding contribution to British music.” The ceremony this afternoon was at the Grosvenor House hotel in London’s Park Lane.

Update 24th May 2002:Ben on the guestbook writes:”BBC Radio 2 gave excellent coverage to Kate last night. They played Kate’s very emotional acceptance speech. Stated that she is probably the most respected British female of the last 3 decades and for many her appearance was the highlight of the awards. They then played pieces of SIX of Kate’s songs including Moments and The Dreaming. She sounded amazingly touched by the accolade and it was a real delight to hear her..” (thanks Ben). The man pictured here who presented Kate with her award is broadcaster Paul Gambicini.

Big thanks to John Harper for these pictures from this morning’s GMTV news report – see all of his images at his site here.

Kate with her award
Kate with Sting at the Ivor Novello Awards

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