Being a life-long admirer of Kate Bush, when my eye fell on this book, it took me some time to grasp what Fred Vermorel tries to do here. Bottom-line: he is also a dedicated fan! Not the stalking kind, though he did dream of having a conversation with her, and visited the area where she grew up, and where she lives now, to “feel the mystery” somehow. He has been renowned for his subversive “anti-biographies” of pop stars, like the Sex Pistols, Vivienne Westwood and Kate Moss.

The Secret History of Kate Bush was first published in 1982 as Kate was on the verge of superstardom, and it’s a daring and unorthodox dive into the world of music, fame, and cultural obsession.
The book unveils the mystique of one of pop’s most elusive icons while exposing the capitalist machinery driving the entertainment industry. Part biography, part cultural critique, and entirely provocative, this is not just a book about Kate Bush but a rebellious manifesto against the commodification of art.
Republished in 2022 by Le Gospel in France, this special edition goes even deeper with unpublished treasures from Vermorel’s personal archive. Featuring an exclusive interview with Kate’s father, Dr. Robert Bush, a razor-sharp foreword by novelist and musician Tony O’Neill (Digging the Vein), and Vermorel’s own afterword reflecting on his explosive work four decades later, this is a must-read for anyone fascinated by Kate Bush, the art of fandom, and the raw power of creative rebellion.

Paperback, 159 pages, illustrations in black & white.