Kate Bush has confirmed that she will not be in attendance tonight at the 2023 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Brooklyn, New York.
In a letter uploaded to her website, Bush explains she won’t be at the ceremony but “the real honour is knowing that you felt I deserved it,” she wrote. “The RRHOF has welcomed me into the most extraordinary rostrum of overwhelming talent.”
The induction ceremony will be holding its 38th iteration tonight at 8 p.m. ET and will be live-streamed for the first time on Disney+. Aside from Bush, the Hall is also honoring Sheryl Crow, Missy Elliot, Willie Nelson, George Michael, Rage Against the Machine and The Spinners, among a long list of other industry giants.
In her letter, Bush congratulated fellow inductee and Elton John songwriter Bernie Taupin, who’s recognized in the Musical Excellence category. “Congratulations Bernie! Congratulations to everyone who is being inducted tonight!” she exclaimed at the end of her note.
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Bush’s text appears below.
“I am completely blown away by this huge honour – an award that sits in the big beating heart of the American music industry.
Thank you so much to everyone who voted for me. I never imagined I would be given this wonderful accolade.
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. Thank you!
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.
When I was growing up my hero was Elton John. 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.
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. Congratulations Bernie! Congratulations to everyone who is being inducted tonight!
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.
I’m only five foot three, but today I feel a little taller.
Kate”
