It’s 40 years ago this month since Kate Bush’s debut single, Wuthering Heights, topped the UK charts.
It kick stated her influential career, which is now being celebrated in a new show at the Albert Halls, Bolton.
Wuthering Heights – The Music of Kate Bush on May 10 pays tribute to the visionary and experimental artist whose much-loved hits also include Running Up That Hill and Babooshka.
It features the exceptional vocals of Rachel Sinnetta who has worked with artists including Gerry and the Pacemakers, Lianne Carrol, Pete Townshend and Chesney Hawkes.
The idea for the show came after Rachel sung the Kate Bush song Wow on karaoke and she admitted: “Everyone in the pub was brought to a deadly silence; they were quite happy hearing the usual pop songs and were not quite ready for Wow.”
Rachel was with Pacemakers bandmate Tony Young at the time and he suggested creating a Kate Bush tribute. He is now part of the five-piece Rubber Band which backs Rachel in the show.
A huge Kate Bush fan as a boy, Tony’s bedroom was covered with her posters and he said: “There was nothing like her at the time; this strange, ethereal artist writing her own material appealed to me and helped to inspire my own career.
“I cannot believe that we are about to embark on the Wuthering Heights tour with such a good pedigree of band members. I cannot think of another way to pay homage to someone who was such an influential role model, not just to me but to so many other musicians.”
Kate Bush’s debut single was inspired by Emily Bronte’s classic novel of unrequited love, violence and jealousy. It saw her become the first female artist to have a number one single in the UK with a self-written song and she made a hugely-anticipated live comeback in 2014 with her first concerts for decades.
The Rubber Band also includes saxophonist Sophie Young who added: “I would be the first to admit I was never really a fan when she burst onto the scene. I remember watching her on Top of the Pops thinking how strange she was waving her arms around and singing about Heathcliff.
“But I have become fascinated by not only her diversity and musical styling but also by the themes she writes about.”
Wuthering Heights – the Music of Kate Bush is at Bolton Albert Halls at 7.30pm on May 10.
Tickets cost £25 from www.quaytickets.com/boltonalberthalls/ or 0843 2080 500