The B-52's are a rock band from Athens, Georgia, the first of many from the college town that has become one of the most important centers in alternative rock. The name comes from the bouffant wigs that are a part of the band's distinctive look, worn by singers Cindy Wilson and Kate Pierson. Along with Wilson and Pierson, Keith Strickland , Ricky Wilson and Fred Schneider formed the band after a drunken night at a Chinese restaurant. Their sound is particularly marked by the vocals of Wilson and Pierson, with Kate singing in a slightly deeper voice, along with the generally monotone or spoken-word vocals of Schneider.
Their first single, "Rock Lobster" in 1978 (see 1978 in music), was an underground success that led to the B-52's performing at CBGB's and Max's Kansas City in New York City. Their debut, The B-52's, was a minor hit, and the follow-up, Wild Planet, reached the Top 20 on the album charts, following a breakout performance on Saturday Night Live. Although part of the new wave movement, their music was more experimental than most new wave, indulging in all manner of odd vocal and synth effects. It created a quirky dance sound that became very popular. It became a trademark for the band to confront sexually explicit topics in a manner that was offbeat and difficult to decipher (in songs like "Rock Lobster," "Cosmic Thing," "Love Shack" and "Good Stuff.")
The advent of music videos allowed the B-52's to provide unique visuals to their already unique music. Usually non-linear in fashion, their music videos featured artistic digital composites of the band generally dancing and having a good time. The video 'the B-52's 1979-1989' contains eight innovative short films. Out of the eight, "Rock Lobster" is a long (7 minutes 20 seconds) live stage recording, while "Monster" is Fred Schneider alone.
Though recording sessions with David Byrne (of Talking Heads) failed, the recordings were released as Mesopotamia in 1982 (see 1982 in music). After Whammy! in 1983 (see 1983 in music), a self-titled Schneider solo album and Bouncing Off the Satellites (1986; see 1986 in music), Ricky Wilson died of what was later revealed to be AIDS-related causes. The band spent three years recovering, and returned with Cosmic Thing in 1989 (see 1989 in music), which launched three hits, "Roam", "Deadbeat Club" and "Love Shack", which is perhaps their most well-remembered song today. In 1992 they released the album Good Stuff. In 1999, Pierson recorded with Nina, a Japanese/American/British band. Pierson is also recognized for her duet "Shiny Happy People" with R.E.M..
Cindy Wilson departed the next year, not returning until touring began for a 1998 (see 1998 in music) greatest hits collection entitled .
Discography
