Cindy Wilson: Full Life Interview
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- Опубліковано 2 жов 2024
- In this oral history, Cindy Wilson discusses growing up in Atlanta, Georgia, her early artistic influences, and her close relationship with her older brother and bandmate Ricky. Wilson talks about how The B-52s formed, her expectations when the band was starting, and signing to Warner Brothers. She details band dynamics and the group's writing process, crediting the members’ individual interests and tastes to their unique sound. Wilson talks openly about maintaining relationships while working, motherhood, and grief. She discusses Ricky’s death due to A.I.D.S related complications, her and the band’s grief, healing, and activism. Wilson also talks about her solo album and identity as a musician. The interview concludes with her thoughts on the visibility of women in the music industry, and her contributions to rock and roll.
Cindy Wilson is a singer-songwriter and percussionist best known for her work in The B-52s, one of the leading bands in the new-wave sound. Wilson lives with her husband in Georgia and has two children. The B-52s announced their farewell tour in 2022.
Learn more at: WomenofRock.org
Interviewed by Tanya Pearson for the Women of Rock Oral History Project
Shot by Mac MacDonald
The Women of Rock Oral History Project is a collection of digital interviews and written transcripts, housed at the Sophia Smith Collection at Smith College-one of the oldest women’s history archives in the United States. Started by Tanya Pearson in December, 2014, WOROHP documents the lives and careers of women in rock whose work and careers have been underrepresented or omitted from rock journalism and historical scholarship. With a collection of publicized and accessible primary source documents, the Women of Rock Oral History Project seeks to facilitate a more comprehensive, inclusive, and accurate cultural history.
#rock #punk #interview #music #history
Utterly adorable and unique woman. Her performance on “Give Me Back My Man” is one of the greatest vocal performances of the 80’s, female or male.
AS WELL AS AIN'T THAT A SHAME. ANOTHER SONG OF SINCERE LONGING AND LOSS. CINDY ROCKS!!!
Yes Cindy Wilson is a great singer I remember in 1980when I was 14 😊
So cool to hear someone else say what I’ve been thinking. Her live Gimme Back my Man IS the greatest vocal performance anywhere ever !!
Fuck yeah!
❤️❤️❤️❤️
Cindy Wilson is so talented and yet so gracious and humble. She's amazing.
One of my favorite bands of all time! Cindy is the coolest! I can't get enough of her scream "I'm not no Limburger" in Dance this Mess Around! Thanks for making some of my favorite music!
Yes I agree a great singer I remember in 1980when I was 14 😊 great group
that scream is in my veins tooooo
i still can't believe i was able to hear it live. her vocals during that part absolutely pierced the room in the best way possible. i was a little biased because i love kate and could hardly take my eyes off her, but in dance this mess around, cindy stole the show.
Check out the Limburger scream on the 11/7/80 Capitol Theater show here on UA-cam. The whole show, really. She’s amazing!
I heard the song on the radio and it sounded like she said "I'm not your little girl" Whoa .
I hope she and the B-52s truly know how iconic and important they are to their fans and all music in general. The rock and roll Hall of fame is empty without them
R&R HOF a joke...so many snubs, to many bands to mention, e.g. Steppenwolf
I truly believe the B52's will be getting inducted into the R&RHOF very soon. Especially now that they got rid of someone who alot of say so as who got inducted. I can't remember his name but they gave him the boot which needed to happen. I say the Beez will be getting there stripes in the next couple years.
@@Joe-hf3cn I agree but they got rid of someone recently who had alot of power of who got voted in. That's why we have been seeing some cool bands getting inducted recently. There are many who should be in who aren't but it's a slow process. At least the public gets to vote now. Wasn't like that before. Wish I can remember the guy who they got rid off. I heard he was a jerk.
The guy who no longer is on the R and R board of inductees was phil spector...he black listed the rosettes for years!!
Ronettes
Beautiful lady and I love her Southern accent.
Re. Ricky being a Beatlemaniac - imagine how he must have felt when John Lennon said that Rock Lobster inspired him to pick up his guitar again. He must have been blown away!
I didn't think about that before!
Wow what a nice compliment❤❤❤
She's still so interesting and beautiful. Great singer on her own, but with Kate, part of the one of the greatest singing duos in rock history. Fred make it a trio, but he's more like a carnival barker. Makes an interesting contrast. Cindy and the B52s have brought so much joy to my life.
I could listen to her talk forever. She's so cool!
I've had a crush on Cindy since the fall of 1980. I think it was Halloween night when I saw and heard 'Wild Planet' at a party. I mean, I get turned on just by hearing her say "Chinese noodles". Goddess.
She is one of the greats. When I think about the post-punk bands that are still appreciated today, the B52s are right up there and Cindy's voice and flamboyance (along with Ricky's unique guitar) is what makes them truly special.
This woman is stunning. Great admiration from germany. ❤️
I love how much different stuff they did in their career. Some people think like ‘the first two albums, they shoulda done that sound forever blah blah blah.’ But that’s silly, they really explored their creativity to the fullest and i just loved that; i’ve loved the soul and heart and playfulness in each one of their albums. My personal fave is Mesopotamia, and i know someone who’s favorite is Whammy. Y’know there’s just so much there in all their albums, have always felt blessed to witness their journey. Have seen them a few times and they’re amazing still, will have to catch their farewell tour here.
She's such a distinctive, different & unique & beautiful person and talent, love her
She is a wonderful lady.
Thank you very much GOD bless Everyone Always Philadelphia USA 🇺🇸 Nostrovia ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
I LOVE THIS. SO MUCH. Yay Cindy! She just seems so down to earth.
I was 16 when the first album came out. I was going to live with a family in Paris for 2 years (I'm from NYC), as a gift to the brother and sister in the house, I brought the first album. It spread like wildfire throughout our Parisian high school. Everyone was blown away.
As an exchange student? That's cool if you got that opportunity. The school district I attended didn't offer exchange programs unfortunately. Crosstown bussing was about as progressive as they got, to very mixed results lol.
I messed up. It was 2 semesters, not years. My school didn’t have the program either. It was a third party program called, if I’m remembering right, AFS.
@@b0tterman right on. I've just always been envious when I hear people share their exchange student stories and seem so unaware how lucky they were to be given the opportunity. As most Americans live their entire lives without ever going overseas.🤝
The key to their longevity is because they were never in it for the fame or money, they were in it for the jams and the love they have for each other.
Legal Tender
@@whamsie4022 dang man, you really misunderstood that one.
Groundbreaking musician and beautiful person is Cindy Wilson xx
Yes Cindy Wilson is a great singer I remember in 1980when I was 14
Secretly and not so secretly, Cindy (and Ricky) are amazing and talented, and I've always loved her particularly. She helped shape and influence my teenage queer years, and I love her so much!
Classy endearing personality. Can't help but be mesmerized by Cindy
I love her southern bell way of speaking.....
Stunning woman to this day
I've always been a fan. Cindy is such an amazing individual. She is so grounded and a wonderful interview subject. Very warm and personable. I love her speaking voice as well as her singing voice.
Yes, speaks as beautifully as she sings..southern belle
Happy 65th Birthday Cindy Wilson
Cindy is A 1 !
Love Cindy big time. Love her sweet crazy spirit. I could hang out with her for days on end. I’d probably end up a better person.
I don't see how this interview could be better. Great questions, obvious rapport, and Cindy is interesting and utterly charming. The way she talks about her brother is so lovely. Clearly, he was a special person.
I hate to split hairs, especially given the wealth of content here, but the answer is the audio quality could be significantly better.
As a pedantic engineer I find the noise floor and the distant mic do not do this vocal genius justice.
Fantastic. One of the best band ever! Very sweet to hear her talk about Ricky.
I only really liked their first two records but she was always my favourite B. God bless Cindy Wilson.
The set of pipes this women has is mind blowing. When kate adds her pipe to the mix it just gets better. Both of them together are more the sum of their parts.
What a lovely lady. Such a great interview.
Ricky was a beatle-maniac. Yes! I needed to hear that bit of information. Love the beatles
Still very beautiful inside and out. Those eyes ❤
💗 All time favorite of my generation here en Ciudad de México. Saludos Cindy, te queremos!
Absolutely lovely and so fresh! Thank you so much for posting this!
Cindy is just lovely!
Couldn't they have used a better microphone for a professional interview? There's clearly a divide here. The millennial questionnaire: the hesitation after Cyndi announces that she didn't finish school (horror! omg! really?) I love that Cyndi is bringing me back to another era of 'just be who you are' and let the creativity unfold. I think the millennials are so computer-centered school-centered that it's just an abstraction to them-this way the B52s astounding originality unfolded.
I Love Cindy's Southern Voice!
She loves to Jam! I would be in heaven to jam with her!
I grew up in SC, traveled to GA all the time - Cindy’s inflection, canter, and lilt are the ultimate Southern girl accent. Pure gold.
it sounds more S.C. than Georgia.. That's so cool..
I love how when Ricky comes home from living overseas in Greece & Germany he comes home to his little sister who ADORES him and simply says, “C’mon, let’s do music” at 6:35. She was probably so happy to be with him again if he said, “C’mon, let’s start a traveling flea circus”, she would have been like “OKAY!!!” and jumped in the car.😂
She is 8 years older than me and I've had a crush on her forever. Such an icon. She's great.
It's 2022 and I've just now discovered the funplex album and video just fantastic thanks Cindy and your band mates for all the years of just terrific music
yes. I was really blown away by how many great, instant classics are on funplex.. a great album for any band.. it took me a few years to actually finally listening to it. but, wow killer jams for sure. a real triumph for a legacy band..
What a beautiful woman.
Cindy Wilson is a great singer of the B-52s a great group I remember in 1980, when I was 14.Im 55and still love the group.🙂
Love her. Grew up going to see them in Athens and still follow their progress.
Great project here! Love Cindy and the B-52's since forever! Thanks for this post.
"thats not my connciousness." perfection.
Cindy is an amazing, beautiful soul. What an elegant thing to say. I have so much respect for her and her music.
love Cindy!!! Love her voice and vibe!!!
The B-52 are so over due they belong in the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame it really doesn't make sense come on they deserve to be in there period 🙏🏾💯
How does she not have her own mic? I mean, really? She's major history.
Isn’t Cindy great? Love her. Thanks for this 🤙
What a great voice and such a beautiful stage presence.
She’s a great story teller. I love the nostalgia she receives talking about her brother and the old days. ❤
What a sweet woman. Such a unique and creative person.
She looks soo much like her brother.
wonderful person. I would have asked, "Where did you get that amazing voice?"
They are called accents and her's is the result of being born and raised in the American South.
Patrick Charles No. Reese Witherspoon and Jessica were both born and raised in the American South and neither sound nearly as great as Cindy does when speaking.
I love the way she talks about her brother.
Stunning lady
Such a beautiful gental lady thanks for giving her time to talk in the interview.
Amazing Lady! :)
She's nice and still very pretty
love her !
Such a lovely interview. She is absolutely beautiful.
such pretty eyes
Brilliant. Love her. So appreciate her talents. Truly a legend.
Thanks for sharing this- Loved the band and am glad your interview was so poignant
I’m a fan of the b -52s . My favorite songs are “ legal tender “ and “deadbeat club “ 🤗😘💋💋💋💋💋
One of the few bands that no one covers, but because you can't. Simply remarkable.
Those eyes 😍
Wonderfully accessible human. Would one ever think she is a major singer from the seventies/eighties if crossed paths on a street? Prayers and only the best to a sweet person. 🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️❤️
My introduction to them was when I saw them on SNL. I was was with friends & we were laughing & looking at each other saying "what is this?!". Their 1st two albums were played constantly during my 2nd & 3rd year of College. I just realized while watching this that Cindy is 2 years younger than me.?!
“Southern Punk”
Love it!!!
What an interesting and insightful person. Very good questions as well
Fire the sound guy.
I absolutely love this lady, her voice is so southern sweet but blends so well with their music, and you just know she's a very nice lady.
Cindy Wilson is such a lovely lady. So humble and she is aging gracefully.
I think Cindy is still adorable!😍🤣😎🤓🧐
I love every member of the B-52's. Cindy is amazing
Amazing to use someone who has no knowlege of the band or the songs. Or the rudiments of interviewing
Always so beautiful
“Hero Worship” too!!
love.
Cindy seems very sweet. I like her hair.
Cindy Wilson is awesome! Simply awesome!
WOW CINDY !
Any chance of another flapper swing fringe dress?
I never saw her talk before in an interview what a beautiful soul she has.
She's still beautiful ❤
Such an infectious laugh. She's a real southern belle.
Cindy is beautiful!!! I want to date her!
I've always had a thing for Cindy
What an absolute legend. The greatest! 👍
considering Cindy was like 17 when the band started and she always had great poise and presence, not to mention her and Kate's killer vocal harmonies - from a fan since the beginning - so thankful for Ricky's life and the B-52's
Beautiful and talented lady..
There's no band like B-52s! They're one of a kind!
SO FUN! Crazy, weird, raucous! I loved them then and love them still. Listening to them brings back that cutting edge, bizarre, wild feeling The B-52s conjured! Great stuff, great interview. Thanks for this. Cindy seems as wonderful a person in this interview as she is an artist. 🙏💜
Wonderful and captivating interview. Appreciate the good questions and allowing the subject just talk naturally without interruption.
"Marcia, Marcia, Marcia,..."!?
No
CINDY, CINDY, CINDY,..."
My highschool fantasy wasto marry Kate but to have Cindy drop by gor coffee every morning.
❤️❤️❤️
Beautiful soul of a woman and a class act.