Bush’s Gavin Rossdale recently revealed in an Audacity Music interview that hearing Evanescence’s Amy Lee’s vocals on a joint song for the first time reduced him to tears. The collaboration took place early this year while Bush was on tour, with a stop in Lee’s hometown of Nashville. Rossdale, who already knew Amy Lee, invited her to the show and offered a combined performance on stage. Lee, who was initially unsure about her availability, eventually delivered Rossdale a tape of her vocals on the song just a few days before the gig. Gavin had been worried that he had put her in an awkward position, but when he heard her voice on the track, all his fears vanished. Rossdale claimed that he cried when he first heard the song with Lee’s voice because he was overcome by the beauty of her singing.
Rossdale explained the tale behind the cooperation in the interview, including how he reached out to Lee and the unexpected consequence that ensued. The cooperation culminated in a remarkable performance at Nashville’s Ryman Theater, where Rossdale and Lee sang Bush’s song ‘1000 Years’ together. Rossdale told the following story during the interview: “I never imagined we’d work together. What occurred was that we performed at the Rhyman Theater, a famous ancient church in Nashville that people see as a bizarre venue. Everyone is terrified of the venue. I had little knowledge of it because I am not from Nashville. So I went to this lovely auditorium, and she lives nearby, so I wrote and invited her to the show. ‘Do you want to come and perform a song with me?’ I simply asked.
Can I send you a song? I thought it would be great if you sang one.’ She responded right away. ‘I’m flying in that day, so I don’t believe a song is conceivable, but I’m absolutely going to the show,’ she explained. So I said, ‘Okay, cool,’ and then I kind of regretted it. I was thinking that instead of confronting her, I should have gone via her management because no one wants to be told ‘No’ immediately. I never heard back from her after I sent her a song. I was prepared to write to her about 10 days late, a couple of days before the concert, and say, ‘Hey listen, I apologize for kind of cornering you in that way. Don’t be concerned about the tune. But I’d like to see you at the show because we’re friends.’ For myself and the rest of the band. She returned the tune with her vocals on it. I did sob. I did. It was so beautiful, and I was so proud of that song and how much it meant to me. It was just too good with Amy on it.” The tremendous intensity of ‘1000 Years’ was heightened by Lee’s compelling vocals during the performance. This remarkable collaboration between these two great performers was observed by the crowd.