Yahoo News Kate Bush Won't Attend Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony but Feels 'Blown Away' by the Honor
The "Running Up That Hill" singer is part of the 2023 class of musicians set to be inducted at a Brooklyn ceremony Friday evening
Kate Bush won't be running up that road to the 2023 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
Hours before her induction into the Rock Hall's 2023 class of musicians, the "Running Up That Hill" singer, 65, revealed in a statement that she won't be attending the ceremony at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, on Friday evening.
"I am completely blown away by this huge honour – an award that sits in the big beating heart of the American music industry," wrote Bush on her website. "Thank you so much to everyone who voted for me. I never imagined I would be given this wonderful accolade."
Related: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Adds Stevie Nicks, Ice-T, Adam Levine and More to 2023 Induction Ceremony
She reflected on the recent and massive resurgence of "Running Up That Hill," originally released in 1985 on her Hounds of Love album, following its inclusion in an episode of Netflix's Stranger Things last year.
"Last year was such a surprisingly successful time for my track Running Up That Hill and I’m sure that a lot of you who’ve voted me in to the RRHOF also drove that track up the charts," continued Bush of the song, which first peaked at No. 30 on the Billboard Hot 100 following its release and reached a new height of No. 3 on the chart post-Stranger Things.
The "Wuthering Heights" performer then revealed, "I’m afraid I won’t be able to attend the ceremony tonight, but for me the real honour is knowing that you felt I deserved it. The RRHOF has welcomed me into the most extraordinary rostrum of overwhelming talent."
Related: Kate Bush Says She's 'Blown Away' After 'Running Up That Hill' Hits 1 Billion Streams on Spotify
Looking back on her childhood, Bush recalled loving Elton John growing up and spoke about feeling emotional toward getting inducted alongside his writing partner, Bernie Taupin.
"I poured over his music, longed to be able to play piano like him and longed to write songs that could move people in the way his work moved me," she said of John, 76.
"That little girl in South East London could never have dreamed she’d be sharing the event tonight with Bernie Taupin, Elton’s writing partner, an incredible lyricist who inspired me to keep writing songs – to keep trying," added Bush. "Congratulations Bernie! Congratulations to everyone who is being inducted tonight!"
Her note concluded with musings on her relationship to creating songs. "Music is at the core of who I am and, like all musicians, being on the journey of trying to create something musically interesting is rife with feelings of doubt and insecurity," wrote Bush. "I’m only five foot three, but today I feel a little taller."
Bush as well as Sheryl Crow, Missy Elliott, the late George Michael, Willie Nelson, Rage Against the Machine and The Spinners make up the 2023 class. Several other artists will also receive honorary awards: DJ Kool Herc and Link Wray will be recognized for musical influence, and Chaka Khan, Al Kooper and Taupin will receive the musical excellence award.
Big Boi will deliver a speech to present Bush's induction at the ceremony, while St. Vincent will perform a tribute to the musician.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame will broadcast live on ABC and Disney+ from Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York on Friday, Nov. 3 at 8 p.m. ET.
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