Before she became the iconic Kate Bush, a young teenager was on a mission to turn her songwriting passion into a career. Lucky for her, she had an invaluable ally in Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour. A friend of a family friend, Gilmour stepped into the role of mentor, helping Bush navigate the early stages of her artistry and approach record labels. First, though, she needed to impress him with her talent.
Convincing Gilmour didn’t take long. After Ricky Hopper, a mutual acquaintance, praised Bush’s abilities, Gilmour traveled to Kent, her hometown, to hear her demos. It was one particular song that truly solidified Gilmour’s belief in her prodigious talent: ‘The Man With the Child in His Eyes.’ Although it would later appear on her debut album, The Kick Inside, released in 1978, Bush wrote the song when she was just 14 or 15.
Gilmour recalled, “That was one of her demos at like, I mean, I think she was 14. Maybe 15. And that was already in the bag.” The song captivated him with its stirring arrangement of strings and keys, perfectly complementing Bush’s ethereal vocals.
“So that was the one that sold her to me,” Gilmour noted. “I thought, ‘anyone who could write that is a major talent.’”
His instincts were spot on. ‘The Man With the Child in His Eyes’ showcased Bush’s exceptional songwriting skills, her unique vocal style, and her innovative approach to pop music. With Gilmour’s mentorship, she secured a deal with EMI and went on to solidify her sound. He played a crucial role in her career, co-producing her debut album, The Kick Inside, in the late 1970s.
Bush rapidly evolved, creating pop hits that revitalized the genre. She penned record-breaking tracks like ‘Wuthering Heights,’ which remains a beloved classic, the iconic ‘Running Up That Hill,’ and the emotionally resonant ‘This Woman’s Work.’ Each release demonstrated her growing vocal prowess and songwriting talent, validating Gilmour’s early faith in her.
Fast forward nearly 50 years, and Bush stands alongside Gilmour as one of music history’s greats. She transformed pop music, inspiring countless artists and expanding her artistry beyond songwriting. Her extraordinary talent was evident from the beginning, and Gilmour recognized it early on.
