Tribute act fools merchandise site in major mix-up
AKATE Bush tribute artist found photos of her own face being sold on merchandise – after a website mistook her for the real singer.
Singer Lisa-Marie Walters, 39, has been performing as Kate Bush as part of her tribute band ‘Moments of Pleasure’ for the past three years.
She took photos of herself recreating several Kate Bush album covers as online promotion for her band, but never expected to be mistaken for the real singer.
But online marketplace Wish. com have been selling bags, mugs and T-shirts with Lisa’s face plastered on the front.
Lisa, who lives in Bristol with her husband Rob and their four children, said: “I am the ‘Wish’ Kate Bush!
“It’s all been so sudden – I took the photo a year ago but it’s only in the last few weeks that all these products have started appearing with my face on!
“It is weird to think people might have bags and things with my face on, but I don’t think any real Kate Bush fan would mistake us – for one, my eyes are blue and Kate’s are brown!
“I find it absolutely hilarious. It’s been really funny to see.”
Kate Bush impersonator Lisa has always loved to sing, attending Stagecoach Performing Arts Bristol North and Filton as a student where she met husband Rob, 42.
When not performing on stage, she is a full-time mum to the couple’s kids Euan, 17, Jarrad, 15,
Aray, 14, and Freya, seven.
She started up her Kate Bush tribute act after people commented on videos of her singing on Facebook about her uncanny resemblance to the Wuthering Heights performer.
As part of promotion for the tribute act, who have toured all across the UK, Lisa recreated several of Kate Bush’s album covers, including Under the Ivy and The Sensual World.
It wasn’t until a friend messaged her earlier this month that she found out a seller on Wish.com had been creating products with her face on after mistaking her photos for the real Kate Bush.
Lisa said: “I took the photo last year on my phone as a selfie and then edited it afterwards so we could use it to advertise one of our gigs.
“It was ages ago so I was shocked when my friend messaged me asking why she was looking at a T-shirt with my face on.
“I’m on leggings, a bag, a glasses case – I’m on everything! It’s absolutely hilarious.
“People have compared me to Kate before, but more that I sound like her rather than look, which is how I got into performing as a tribute act a few years ago.
“I’ve always been a Kate Bush fan. I love everything about her, especially how theatrical she is, she doesn’t fit just one genre.
“But I still don’t think any real Kate Bush fans would mistake my photo for her.”
A T-shirt with Lisa’s face from her recreation of Kate Bush’s Under the Ivy album cover taking up the entire top could be purchased for £22 on the website but has since sold out after popular demand.
A backpack with a USB and headphone interface fitted with Lisa’s face costs £28.
There’s even a massive 60 by 40 inch tapestry with her face on for sale for £20.
Lisa said: “My friend has said she is buying some chair covers for her car that have my face on, it’s so funny.
“I expect I’ll get a few presents this year with my face on!”
Rob said: “It’s absolutely hilarious.
“It’s had a good reception from both of us. It’s just really funny.”