The B52s
| The B-52s | |
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The B-52s live in Athens, GA [Feb. 18th, 2011]. Left to Right, Top to Bottom Fred Schneider, Kate Pierson, Cindy Wilson, and Keith Strickland.
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Athens, Georgia, United States |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 1976–present |
| Labels | |
| Website | theb52s |
| Members | |
| Past members | |
The B-52s (styled as The B-52's prior to 2008) are an American new wave band, formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1976. The original line-up consisted of Fred Schneider (vocals), Kate Pierson (vocals, keyboards), Cindy Wilson (vocals, percussion), Ricky Wilson (lead guitar), and Keith Strickland (drums, rhythm guitar, keyboards). After Ricky Wilson's death from AIDS in 1985, Strickland switched from drums to lead guitar. The band also added touring members for albums and live performances. The band is best known for their 1978 debut single "Rock Lobster", and their pair of 1989 hits; "Love Shack" and "Roam".
Rooted in new wave and 1960s rock and roll, the group later straddled many genres, ranging from post-punk to pop rock. The "guy vs. gals" vocals of Schneider, Pierson, and Wilson, sometimes used in call and response style, and their unique guitar and keyboard driven instrumentation compose their trademark sound.
The B-52's were formed in 1976 when vocalist Cindy Wilson, her older brother and guitarist Ricky, keyboardist and vocalist Kate Pierson, original drummer and percussionist Keith Strickland and cowbell player, poet and lead vocalist Fred Schneider held an impromptu jam session after sharing a tropical Flaming volcano drink at a Chinese restaurant in Athens, Georgia. Other ideas they had to name their band were the "Tina-Trons" and "Fellini's Children." When they first jammed, Strickland played guitar and Ricky Wilson played congas. They later played their first concert (with Wilson playing guitar) in 1977 at a Valentine's Day party for their friends.
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