In a newly released statement, Kate Bush has confirmed that she will not attend the 2023 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony tonight in Brooklyn, New York. “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,” she wrote. “The RRHOF has welcomed me into the most extraordinary rostrum of overwhelming talent.”

Bush continued by congratulating fellow inductee and famed Elton John songwriter Bernie Taupin, who’s recognized in the Musical Excellence category. “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,” Bush wrote. “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!”

Kate Bush is being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a performer, as are Sheryl Crow, Missy Elliott, Willie Nelson, Rage Against the Machine, the Spinners, and the late George Michael. After her induction was announced, she shared in a statement, “I have to admit I’m completely shocked at the news of being inducted into the Hall of Fame! It’s something I just never thought would happen.”

The 2023 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony takes place tonight at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center. The event—featuring guest appearances from Olivia Rodrigo, Chris Stapleton, Dave Matthews, Elton John, H.E.R., LL Cool J, and others—streams live on Disney+ starting at 8 p.m. Eastern.

Rock Hall 2023: How to Watch and Who’s Performing

Kate Bush:

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

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

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Hounds of Love

Kate Bush

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