Catching up with The B-52s
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- Опубліковано 1 жов 2024
- Keith Strickland, Kate Pierson and Fred Schneider, along with brother and sister Ricky and Cindy Wilson, were friends in Athens, Ga. Their hobby - playing music together - exploded into a career as the band The B-52s. Since the late 1970s, the group has inspired such musicians as Kurt Cobain and Dave Grohl. But the death of Ricky Wilson almost ended the band for good. Ahead of their farewell tour, the surviving members catch up with correspondent Kelefa Sanneh.
#theb52s
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Thank you, B-52s, for making my life a little brighter and more joyful.
Amen
Mines too thank you B52s
Mine too
It’s easy to label the B-52s as a novelty or a joke band but to me they are one of the greatest bands of the 70s
I will simply agree to disagree. .but if questions are what you seek I would suggest their record sales inner strength as a group & the impact of which is implied they have none.
They are.
They started in 1976.
Most definitely!
I love them
I didn’t think the kids of today would know what devastation AIDS did to the generation of the B-52’s -and mine-but then along came Covid...😩😩😩🙏
it's the responsibility of the older generation to inform them---I live in San Francisco and constantly fill them in when I run into a young person that needs to be reminded...people welcome information
Covid was more of a scam though. Thanks Dr. Fauci.
Covid doesn’t even compare to the amount of deaths worldwide of AIDS. It’s was definitely a bigger epidemic
But COVID never been ignored by the governments FOR YEARS like AIDS
My favorite B-52's song: 'Channel Z'. I don't think it's as well-known as their other songs, but its message about pollution, climate change and nuclear war is still relevant, now more than ever.
Nice self pic💓
Agree with you 100%, we have arrived to channel Z.
"Channel Z" was way ahead of its time.
ua-cam.com/video/pB4G9WBYMFo/v-deo.html
It was the first release off Cosmic Thing, mostly on college radio and MTV and I loved it. It was the perfect open to this era/album. Followed by the track Cosmic Thing (also in Earth Girls Are Easy) another mild play. They must have thought another decent record in sales for us. No idea that Love Shack 3, Roam 4, and Dead Beat Club 5 would be huge crossover hits.
Love that song!!!
Kate Pierson has never gotten the recognition and accolades that she deserves regarding her contribution to the band's music and sound. Even in this interview the narration only mentions her and Cindy contributing harmonies to Rock Lobster when it is her keyboards that drive the sound of that song and others like Private Idaho just as much as Ricky's guitar.
And at the same time she was playing keyboard melody with one hand, she was playing the bass line with the other. Watching videos of their early shows, it is unreal the full sound that came from essentially three instrumentalists.
And her range is incredible. Check out her collaboration with Yuki Isoya in the band NiNa. Happy tomorrow is one the best tracks
Kate did an amazing duet with Iggy Pop: "Candy" when she was in her 40's. Absolutely fantastic. She also sang on REM's "Happy Shiny People."
@@petergeyer7584 Richard Wright of Pink Floyd, Sun Ra, Kate Pierson got me into Farfisa keyboards.
Thanks to her & Cindy, 'Girl from Ipanema Goes to Greenland' is my fave B-52s song.
Should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and with the Hall inducting New Wave bands in the last few years, I predict next year they will be inducted/nominated. Great band.
Let’s not go crazy.
Amen. They’re tragically overlooked.
No doubt they should be in the Rock and roll Hall of Fame I just hope the committee have the good sense to nominate and inducted👍
Yes please.
Yep 👍
I would have loved to have seen them live back in some of the smaller clubs, late 70s. What an amazing time. Great band! Love their experimental style.
It was 💞
One of my friends saw them ...with the TALKING HEADS at Stonybrook College in late 1979!
Look them up on here.. They have full shows from the 70s.. Absolutely unreal!!
RIP Ricky Wilson. He was such a force at the beginning of the group’s career.
So innovated! The rifts on "Give Me Back My Man" are amazingly killer!
@@drwinstonOboogi His tuning was spectacular and truly rounded the sound out for the group.
Their song "Topaz" is one of the very best harmonies ever made....and it's so little known. :(
SO TRUE! I had the opportunity to meet Keith Strickland in 1989, and he said this was his favorite track on Cosmic Thing. Nile Rodgers on guitar too !
@@sbhamilton143 How cool is that--your meeting him!! And will forever maintain that "Topaz" is one of the most melodic and beautiful songs ever made. :)
@@karenokeane6461 I agree totally. I've been a lifetime B's fan since childhood, and this song is definitely one of my favorites, and really captures what they are all about. Looking forward to seeing them live one more time in Atlanta in November (and fingers crossed that Keith surprises and plays the final 3 shows with them there!)
Agree! Topaz is one of the lesser-known tracks on Cosmic Thing, but it's absolutely magical to me and I never understood why it wasn't a hit single. I would listen to Cosmic Thing in my room while I was working on art projects, it was perfect for that.
@@drea4195 Oh My Gosh....how PERFECT!! And SO agree about the song being downright MAGICAL, :)
Love “Rock Lobster”, so nostalgic! We used to dance to it on teen night at clubs. Packed floor!! everyone went down, down, down to the floor and jumped up, sweating 😅 to death, but boy was it so much funnnnn! Thanks for those wonderful memories B-52s, of just clean fun music dancing the night away. Memories treasured forever!!! ❤️🦞🎶
I was 13 when I heard the B 52's for the first time. My parent's were religious freaks so we had no TV and no music. I was at a neighbors house and Rock Lobster and Planet Clair changed my life. 😁😁😁😁
how sad.
@@TheresaPowers it was a happy memory.
So much fun!!!
The first time I heard them was on Saturday Night Live and they blew my mind! I was 16 or 17 and it changed the way I saw rock and roll and the possibilities in rock and roll. It was a life altering experience for me.
Your parent's what was religious?
I love The B-52's. It's too bad a correspondent who had not heard of them until "Love Shack." Some of their best material was from those first three albums -- history to Kelefa. These so-called journalists are totally unaware of things before their time.
i had the same thought.
I agree. Earlier stuff is better. Love Shack is good but they have far better.
Always happens with goofball white-bread legacy media . "Love Shack" has woven itself into a song played by wedding DJs. Would be funnier if it were "52 Girls" instead. I saw them on the Wild Planet Tour which was their "apex". The 3rd album misses the mark, for me. Just like the 3rd Devo album. At least the Ramones took until album number 5 to miss the mark. And the Talking Heads took until album 6 or 7 to loose it.
Wild planet is their best album it’s a crime this dude only brought up the hits. How can you not mention Give me Back my Man?
@@purpleraindrip1674
Wild Planet is definitely the best-
Graduated in 81. Thought they were ok then. 5 years ago their music started blowing my mind. They have tons of great great songs. Cindy Wilson’s voice 🤩
I graduated in 80. From the get go my best friend an I loved them. So many people ridiculed us for listening to them. Fast forward several months later and all of a sudden it was “cool” to listen to them. Bunch of posers.
During the down, down, down part of Rock Lobster we'd go lower and lower then lay on the floor (guess where we got that). People thought we were so weird. Nobody had heard of them.
In 1988 I came to the USA as an exchange student and "ended up" with no one less than the family of Keith Strickland's brother. The best year ever... (oink oink Stricklands!)
Coming from tiny Switzerland I of course had no idea who the B-52s were but believe me: "I heard them songs througout the year" and my little sisters - Keith's nieces - then 5 and 8 were dancing like crazy to LOVE SHACK & Co. This group and their extravagant style of music shaped and shook my year with rhythm. 🙏❤️
That’s amazing! Keith is so sweet and so handsome too ♥️
Great story!!
The Bees brought kitschy fun to Rock and Roll with a fresh sound and attitude that was unmatched. Who else could score a hit with Quiche Lorraine (story of a dog with a strawberry blonde paw) or Rock Lobster? Fred's absurdist lyrics and "vocalizing" delivery could make anybody laugh. Cindy and Kate made incredibly unique backup harmonies (or leads) that were spine chilling at times (Both of them have wonderful voices, especially Cindy on some solo efforts). Ricky Wilson's Mosrite guitar playing was groundbreaking and very creative (unusual tuning, using less strings, etc) and totally helped drive the early B-52's psycho-surf sound. Keith did a great job transferring to guitar in Rick's absence and continuing the tradition of writing catchy and quirky music that could only come from this band. I've been a fan since 1979, when I first heard their debut album being played at a high school party. Their "thrift store retro vibe" never grows old, it just seems more fun as time passes. Thank you B-52's -- for all of the love, great songs, and fun vibes that you gave to all of your fans across these many years! Wishing you well in retirement on Planet Claire...(no ones ever died there, no one has a head....LOL).
Chills to this day.
This is a very articulate and accurate summary. Well done.
Thank you for your post! I make a UA-cam internet search several times a week to listen..." B-52 songs only," and score-- many though not all of those great songs!
As an aside, Quiche Lorraine has a strawberry blonde fall...a fall is a hairpiece! The image is so funny and unforgettable! .
I believe it’s a strawberry blond fall?
Their harmonies blew my mind as a kid. I still love them
Oh how I wish the kids were still so creative today. The B52's were revolutionary, no one has ever, or will ever be as cool, innovative and fun to experience. A benefit of being born in the 60's. C'mon kids, make us some good music again!!!
I was listening to the B52 way before Love Shake. The band was niche back in 79.
Um....Love Shack.
Yeah.. I was excited for them at that time though as it seemed to give them a shot of B12 for the B52’s
I saw the B-52's in 1983, the Original Band and they KILLED and I will Never forget it and " Rock Lobster " is one of my FAVORITE Songs EVER!!! xoxoxoxo
I bought their debut album when it was first released in 1979 and instantly became a big B-52's fan. Their early years were some of the best music.
My favorite B-52's song is "She Brakes For Rainbows". I never get tired of it.
Very underrated song!
Being from Georgia I have a deep love and respect for this band. True originals.
Remember when the "media" would roll "the B-52's, R.E.M. ....and PYLON " as "bands from Georgia!?" LOL. Pylon must have been like "Oh man - excellent! we made it!".
Great state
Legendary band. They really need a documentary
They really do
Deadbeat Club is a masterpiece.
Such a melancholic song ................
One of the best quirky bands ever !!! Mesopotamia !
I wish I could tell them personally what COSMIC THING meant to a little gay 12/13 year old me being bullied every day in school, scared for my life, never feeling like I belonged, but having an escape with that amazing album, along with the other albums which I discovered. I saw them in concert in 2018 ( a triple bill along with Boy George/Culture Club and Thompson Twins, but man I wish they had just been solo the whole show ) and it was one of the highlights of my life.
I've always loved the B-52s. Anyone who only knows them through the Cosmic Thing album should go listen to some of their other albums. Bouncing off the Satellites has so many great tracks, like "Summer of Love", "Ain't it a Shame" and "She Breaks for Rainbows". They're truly a unique band.
“Girl From Ipanema goes to Greenland “!
Sinead did the good cover of Shame
I grew up listening to their music, my favorite was Party out of bounds, love them! 😚🎶🎵
The Love Shack is a little old place where, they can really get together, along with RuPaul (who makes a cameo in their music video).
53 Miles West of Venus is the ultimate ear worm. I listen to it when I need to focus back from the craziness around me. The B-52s will always be my favorites! The sounds are as fresh today as they were in 1979.
Loved this interview! Long live the B52s! Legends. ❤️
They were a fun new wave, punk band! 🕺 🎶
The B-52s are a gift to planet earth from the cosmos.
B-52 you are my hero in new wave music bands and punk music i hope that all DJ in radio stations keep playing the b-52 for the last time before quitting the rock band
Give Me Back My Man
Walkin outta Korvettes…
Saw them in 1983 at University at Buffalo. They opened with Song for a Future Generation, which is still one of my favorites.
A memorable night. Saw the B-52s at Bucknell University, 1983(?) in a student center.
Loved this interview, so great to see these 4 cool people together. I’ve been a huge fan since ‘89 when they hit with “Cosmic Thing”. I was in 8th grade, and I’ve loved this band ever since. I’ve got all their albums. 😎🎵🎶💯
The B-52s as far as I'm concerned. ARE THE BOMB
As a young black man with a Spanish name listening to the B-52s in the 70s living in NY wasn't easy but I was drawn to their sound, what a more simpler time of life, rough but simple.....
So weird.
Where I'm from (Texas) lot of black people loved B-52s and new wave/ punk in general, '80s/'90s when we were growing up. Fun music, dance music 🎶
@@jeffreekoch9298 quite a different era for the b’s than the 70s wave
@@amybeth8829 oh dang ok. 😔
The B52's are what makes life feel like a party. Love you guys and thanks for all the happy decades
Summer music.
I will always treasure these amazing people and the memory of Ricky. From the first album, which I bought with my allowance on a sunny autumn Saturday in Houston, TX and listened to the rest of the day, to the SNL appearance, which everyone was talking about for weeks, (Terri Garr was the host! Remember it like it was yesterday) to the later hits, incredible videos, and sheer joy of this band of genius, it has been one fantastic journey. Cosmic!
I was at a party In HS and heard "Rock Lobster" Everyone got down down down then up it was great. I listen to them on spotify in My Car and Headphones when I work out. also Love Planet Claire.
Walked in the record store and saw their first album on the new release wall and thought "I've got to hear this!" and bought it.
When I saw the band about 12 years ago, in 2009...I went right up front. Keith Strickland had the most, the tightest guitar licks I've ever heard. Crisp, clear. He was amazing. There is a UA-cam under the song Roam...the show was in Green Bay.
First two albums are classics! Still got my vinyl!
Saw them on SNL in 1980.
When SNL was cool and the world was less evil !
@@joesimon2029 Yes, it seems like a totally different world back then. Wouldn't trade it for anything today!
Legal Tender was the first music video I ever saw. From that moment on, they were my band. I spent the rest of my life trying to find people who knew of them (damn near impossible in elementary school), then after Love Shack made them more mainstream, I tried finding people who would go to a concert with me (as I didn't have a car & needed a ride) and never did. So thank you to the B-52s for showing me that even if you never find "your people" where you are, that "your people" are out there somewhere.
And while the band isn't in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, some of their hats (blue & yellow pastel majorette hats) were the second display I saw on my trip. I'll take that as a sign that they are one of the first bands the designers of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame wanted you to see. I hope the layout hasn't changed.
🌜”If you’re in outer space, don’t feel outta’ place! Cos’ there are thousands of others like you!…Others like you!…OTHERS LIKE YOU!!”🪐
-F. Schnieder
🎸 My favorite party band.A fan since their debut yellow album back in '79. 🔊 Class of '83! 🎹
CBS Sunday Morning does a piece on the B-52s.
Damn we're getting old
Have always been a fan! I was 18 in 82 when I first heard them. Still listen to them to this day!
How could you NOT like/love them. PURE JOY!
I said it once and I'll say it again they should be the Rock and roll Hall of Fame
Very humble people. I loved Love Shack and Roam. Kate's voice was almost like the girl next door singing...nice.
I didn't know the B-52s were influenced by Yoko Ono. Makes sense. 🙂
Great band.
They were listed as a "Southern" Punk Band when I saw em in the 70's.
I was like WTF, is a Punk Band? But at least they could play an instrument,
Sex Pistols...not so much.
Seen them at the Pop Shop in the basement of the Cleveland Agora my first time
Now I have to go find their appearance on Guiding Light. It was awesome.
I was wondering if anyone else remembered that! The first time I saw them, maybe 1980? Thanks for mentioning this!!!
Loved them then and now! Unique and funky!
Cool people , kind people.
They honored my friend's mother in a concert by wishing her a happy birthday.
She had cancer. And my friend and her mother were fans, and followed the B-52's to many concerts. Even becoming friends with Kate.
Being recognized and appreciated by Kate and the band brought joy and great times to them as they dealt with the mother's worsening cancer, the intense struggles and emotions and eventual passing. The band means SO much in the life of my friend, and her mother.
They invoke joy, love, acceptance and celebration.
None of them look their age at all and Keith in particular could pass for forty or forty-five; The man is pushing seventy. In fact when he retired a ten years ago I was shocked because to me he's so young. BTW Fred did a Tower Records Boston in-store for his solo album the day before my mother's birthday and just on a whim I asked Fred to sign her birthday card and he did. He was very very nice and that was very very special.
I first saw them when I stayed up late to watch SNL and thought, I am pretty sure I am "that kind of weird". Instant Love!
I was hoping the interviewer would've asked the band about how they felt about Peter Griffin's rendition of "Rock Lobster" on Family Guy but it was still a good segment.
They’re pretty fun people - they likely enjoyed it.
They were a REVOLUTION. If one thinks they're a bit odd & quirky today, well back then this particular kind of new wave was a major earthquake of weirdness on commercial tv, surfacing from the american underground to the mainstream to perhaps entertain you, i say perhaps because for once this is a group that doesnt care if you like them. They obviously rocked it yet had no obvious message, they were not trying to sell you something. They already existed & it was up to you to catch up wit them, NOT the other way around, so there was no commercial pandering. Love them or loathe them, their exclusive invite only depended on you & how you behaved at parties.
I didn't know they lost a member. I remember Love Shak. I remember the aids being talked about. They are awesome band. I wished my radio in suv worked. But, I got use to not listening to music at all. I can catch up on it. Watching Sunday morning on ytube.
Ricky passed in the 80s. I live in Athens. My buddy was best friends with Ricky. They grew up together. He took me to his grave sight in Athens.
@@pumpwellington6631-That was sweet of your friend. Sorry for your friend's loss. Prayers for family, friends, and fans.
@@ediebaxter6194 thanks!
@@pumpwellington6631 -your welcome
They were such a big part of my life that means so much to me I’m so grateful for the music
I liked when Kate sang on 'Candy.' 🎶 - (Iggy Pop).
Soundtrack to my life. Long live the B’s!
Work that skirt was my favorite!
My introduction to the B-52's was that SNL performance...I left the room within seconds till it was over. When Love Shack came out it was love a first listen. I was lucky enough to see them in person in the late 90's with The Pretenders!
Mine too, i watched them on SNL(back in 79, i think) and fell in love!
@@jessemacias2 I didn’t fall in love that night, I thought they were total freaks (I had a very narrow view of what good music was)
@@tjwash2 sad to hear that.
@@jessemacias2 I got on board eventually. I love them now.
The most unique and fun band of the soundtrack of my youth. We danced and danced. Upbeat, quirky, joyful, unforgettable.
I tore my left meniscus dancing to "Love Shack" at a wedding reception.
The first time I heard Rock Lobster I stopped in my tracks. THIS IS IT! *on repeat*
Rock lobster is the music playing on Lucky Larry Lobstermania slot machine.
Love them! Saw them when they were just starting out.
Great to see Keith with them. I live in Athens. Hometown heroes.
Touching interview. B-52s have been there for many high points of my life. They've made the ups and downs of life all more worth it.
I'm so old, I remember when this kind of music was "underground" . I saw them at the "peak" 1981 Wild Planet Tour, Beacon Theatre NYC. It was a nice cool blustery fall night (which we no longer have because of global warming).
It's funny how early B-52s played during a moment during a somewhat rebellious time in my life, and later B-52s played during a different time but still fit with my life at the time. I always enjoyed them. I still do.
They started New Wave, they have one of the best pop/new wave albums of all time with Cosmic Thing. They influenced millions. All the so called requirements for the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame. Not even one vote to get in. It's why people consider the Rock N Roll hall of fame a joke. It's really an embarrassment that the B52's haven't been inducted.
I’m a metal head but my friends and I all loved the B 52s, mainly because of the quirkiness of their sound.
I remember dancing to their hit song "Roam" in 1990 at my senior prom.
Tiiiinnnn roof! Rusted!
BEST Band EVER! I have been fortunate enough to have seen them in concert about 10 times. Their music has always been about celebrating your wacky freak side and just having a darn good time! No band has created so much music that has brought such joy and happiness into my life. They are the world's greatest party band!!!
Senior ‘84, here. Have loved the B-52’s since 7th grade!! We had a Wurlitzer organ with a cassette player (cool, huh?!) I’d fast-forward to Rock Lobster & play along!! ❤️🪨🦞🎶
Love the B-52 s. Could not go to a house party or club without the Bees playing. The best party band ever
Love this Band! "Love Shack Baby"!!
Wonderful interview. I love the B-52's!
I was very fortunate to see the B-52s back in the day and from day one I was blown away with their creative magical talent. You listen to the B-52s and you immediately want to go to your happy place where you just want to dance and let your imagination get the best of you. Unfortunately the person giving this interview was not the best choice. I felt his energy was weak and not really connected to how they affected the music scene. But it’s just great to see them all together and take a wonderful trip down memory lane.
Love the B-52'S
So good. I want more.
All Hail B-52's 💞🏆🌟Dead beat club was sooo Fab !! 💕🌼🍃
Only saw them once when they opened for the Stones in lieu of Sheryl Crowe who had breast cancer, but a dynamite act and songs like Roam are indelible.
Cherished family members of the soul
Saw them live on the cosmic thing tour. Absolutely stellar!
I’d get kicked out of math class for singing The Love Shack
1979 Central Park NYC we were sneaking in the area where the Rhodies unload equipment and the open the back of a Uhaul truck and out come about 15-20 psychedelic groupie chicks with the neon color outfits and neon bouffant hair do's...
Gorgeous and New Wave Punk!!!
Fast forward 2018 Webster Hall NYC Rock Lobster sounded just like 1979 all over again!!!
Great memories timeless voices!!
LOVE the B-52s!! I remember loving Rock Lobster way back in college and just loving how quirky and different it was from stuff like REO Speedwagon (who was big at the time too, but I listened to stuff more off the beaten track). Thank you, B-52s, for making the world more fun. ❤
Awww... I loved them since the mid 1980s.
Juliet of the Spirits on the Funplex album. Deadbeat Club on Cosmic Thing. Just epic songs
👍⭐️🤩😍Way before my time but I love this group & that Love Shack song. I can’t sing but I used to try to sing that song at Karaoke and I didn’t care how horrible I sounded.😂💝
Part of my growing up and another part fading away on finishing my journey....eesh. Fun music, fun times, no regrets!