St. Vincent covered Kate Bush’s ‘Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God)’ at the 38th Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony, which took place at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center last night. Watch the performance below.
Outkast rapper Big Boi, who called himself Bush’s “biggest fan,” delivered her induction speech. “I know what some of you are thinking, ‘What does Kate Bush have to do with hip-hop?’” he said. “She is such a unique artist, you might as well also ask: What does Kate Bush have to do with rock & roll?”
Ahead of the ceremony, Bush shared a public statement confirming she wouldn’t be attending the event. “I am completely blown away by this huge honour – an award that sits in the big beating heart of the American music industry,” she wrote. “Thank you so much to everyone who voted for me. I never imagined I would be given this wonderful accolade.”
“When I was growing up, my hero was Elton John. I pored 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 added. “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!”
In addition to Bush and Taupin, the 2023 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Class also included Sheryl Crow, Missy Elliott, Rage Against the Machine, Willie Nelson, George Michael, and The Spinners. DJ Kool Herc and Link Wray were presented with the Musical Influence Award, while Don Cornelius received the Ahmet Ertegun Award.
It was an honor and a privilege to induct Kate Bush into the Rock n Roll hall of Fame ! pic.twitter.com/E4J26upwGr
— Big Boi (@BigBoi) November 4, 2023
Singer, songwriter, producer, and instrumentalist…is there anything Kate Bush can’t do? Listen to this stunning cover of “Running Up That Hill” by @st_vincent, as @KateBushMusic is inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Stream #RockHall2023 NOW on @DisneyPlus! pic.twitter.com/nd0MMLcF9H
— Rock Hall (@rockhall) November 4, 2023