An icon of the cold war, boeing s mighty b 52 is undoubtedly one of the most famous jet bombers ever built, having served now for almost 40 years. The boeing b 52 stratofortress is an american longrange, subsonic, jetpowered strategic bomber. Continuing the festivities, da capo presshachette books has announced plans to publish the firstever official history of the band in 2020. The eightengine, 390,000pound 176,901kilogram jet was americas first longrange, sweptwing heavy bomber. As the b52s popularity spread, danny beard, who helped run a record store in atlanta, offered to help them make a record for his fledgling label db records. Ricky helton wilson march 19, 1953 october 12, 1985 was an american musician best known as the original guitarist and founding member of rock band the b 52s. The b52s are an american rock band that formed in 1976 in athens, georgia, united states. The b 52 is the longest serving and most versatile of the united states air force s combat aircraft. The b 52s circa 1979, shot by george dubose i had the idea to produce a 16x20in 40x50cm poster in black and white to snipe around the clubs, where the band would be playing. B 52s rock lobster vintage metal button style pin badge pinback made in the uk in the 1980 s pop music memorabilia.
The original lineup consi sted of fred s chneider vocals, percu ssion, kate pierson vocals, keyb oards, cind y wilson vocals, percu ssion, rick y wilson guita r, and keith st rickland drums, guitar, keyboards. The kitschy lyrics and mood, and the hookladen harmonies helped establish a fanbase for the band, who would go on to release several charttopping singles. Kate pierson, fred schneider, keith strickland, cindy wilson and ricky wilson deceased. The b52s reached a commercial peak in 1989, winning a new generation of fans with the effacious us top 5 hit singles love shack and roam, complete with enticing accompanying videos. This sixdecade success story is illustrated with over 200 photographs, providing a rich historic overview of this aviation and military icon. Meanwhile, the b 52s have joined forces with executive producer fred armisen and director craig johnson skelton twins, wilson, alex strangelove to develop an authorized documentary film of the group. This is post ii of how i came to write the secret history of silicon valley. Ricky helton wilson march 19, 1953 october 12, 1985 was an american musician best known as the original guitarist and founding member of rock band the b52s. The stratofortress entered active service in 1955 and is scheduled to continue as part of the air force s inventory through 2040. Booking the b52s booking entertainment booking agency. The b 52 was designed and built by boeing, which has continued to provide support and upgrades. Due to conflicts with byrne and record label pressure, recording sessions were aborted prematurely and only six of ten songs to be completed were released as a shorter than originally intended lp. The b 52s the complete guide the b 52s members kate pierson fred schneider keith strickland cindy wilson ricky wilson discography the b 52s discography albums the b 52s bouncing off the satellites cosmic thing funplex good stuff mesopotamia nude on the moon.
The b52s named for the bombshaped bouffant hairdos of the two female band members, the group debuted at a valentines day party in athens in 1977 and before long were performing in new york city, where they attained a cultlike. Dec 15, 2012 b 52 stratofortress also covers every aspect of the aircraft s development, manufacture, and modification. This fullcolor, hardcover book contains detailed biographies of each member of the b52s. The album cover was designed by tony wright credited as sue ab surd. The kitschy getaway brings to mind the b 52s classic love shack video, where the band partied alongside a crowd of revelersincluding a young rupaulinside of a tiny technicolor cabin. The b 52 s unique and wellcrafted trashiness was a bit of a shock to the system even hot on the heels of punk. The bs universe is the first and only book about the legendary athens, georgia based rock band. Home music tour bio store gallery news contact home music tour bio. American new wave art pop band formed in athens, georgia, usa in 1976. It was produced by david byrne of talking heads and was originally planned to be the band s third studio album. On september 30, 2019, the band is featured on the archie comics comic book archie meets the b52s, was released in february 2020. The b52s is the debut album by the athens, georgia based new wave band the b52s.
Also included is a complete discography in photos along with the bands comments on every song. The b 52 s the complete guide the b 52 s members kate pierson fred schneider keith strickland cindy wilson ricky wilson discography the b 52 s discography albums the b 52 s bouncing off the satellites cosmic thing funplex good stuff mesopotamia nude on the moon. Voices it is well known that the b52s are the worlds greatest party band. Coinciding with the band s 25th anniversary was the publication of the b52s universe. This is a great book for b 52s fans, those interested in the athens georgia music scene, and anyone who remembers rocking down to rock lobster, private idaho, and love shack. Valentine s day 2002 marks twenty five years of the tacky little dance band from athens, ga and this book is your invitation to celebrate their funky universe. The book was nominated for a lambda lit award and was a minnesota book awards finalist. The b52s i will admit that i just realized yesterday that its grammatically incorrect have been my favorite band since the beginning, circa 1979. In addition to their newly unveiled tour, the b 52s have announced da capo presshachette books will publish the firstever official history of the band, which is due in 2020. They got their name from a slang term for the giant beehive hairdos favored by the female members. After been stationed at three fighter bases in thailand ubon, udorn and korat and working on electronic warfare suites on f4 s, a7 s, f105 s and ac s, i got orders to report to a strategic air command sac b 52 bomber base in oscoda michigan. The b52s is an eponymous new wave album by athens, georgiabased rock band the b52s. It has been operated by the united states air force usaf since the 1950s.
Toward the end of the surf craze, the composer michael z. Early in 2002, the rock band from athens, ga known as the b 52s was able to release a twocd set of their greatesthits in an album entitled nude on the moon. The b 52 s reached a commercial peak in 1989, winning a new generation of fans with the effacious us top 5 hit singles love shack and roam, complete with enticing accompanying videos. The b s universe is the first and only book about the legendary athens, georgia based rock band. Ahead of the tour, the four surviving b 52 s took some time to reflect on the wild times that fueled their early success with rolling stone.
The b52s stopped by wolf traps filene center and caused a shimmyandshake outbreak among a sweaty but appreciative crowd sunday night. I can think of no other band that is synonymous with the words party and good times than the b52s. This book details the full b 52 story, with squadron histories and full technical specifications. It s a twocd set that covers more than 20 years of songs from this pop band. The b 5 2s styled as t h e b 52s prior to 2008 are an american n ew wav e band formed in athens, georgia, in 1976. The bomber is capable of carrying up to 70,000 pounds 32,000 kg of weapons, and has a typical combat. Party out of bounds music of the american south ser. Keep stats clean by fixing your id3 tags, or leave autocorrection on. They played to soldout audience worldwide on a tour that would last more than 18 months, including an earth day gig before nearly 750,000 people in new york citys central park.
Stream adfree or purchase cds and mp3s now on amazon. May 28, 2014 the second single from their 1980 album wild planet cindy wilson at her finest. I totally applaud mats sexton for all of the hard work that he put into this fantastic biography of one of the worlds best rock bands. The journey begins 40 years ago in athens, georgia. Bringing punk, new wave, surf, dance, and more together, the athens, georgia band quickly became a national name on the back of the iconic rock lobsterand never looked back. In b52 stratofortress, bill yenne covers every aspect of the buffs development, manufacture, modification, and combat service. The band also added touring members for albums and live performances. The whimisical nonsense songs cosmic thing, junebug are quirky and catchy, with pleasant hipsway rhythms. Albums include the b 52 s, wild planet, and cosmic thing. And with the bulk of their albums and tours happening before the age of the internet, us oldtime fans really didnt get very much background information at the time. The b 52 returned to prominence in the gulf wars and afghanistan, taking part in massive bombing campaigns in both conflicts. About the b52s selling over 20 million albums worldwide, the b52sfred schneider vocals, kate pierson vocals, cindy wilson vocals, and keith strickland guitar, drums, keys, programming have quietly impacted alternative music, fashion, and culture over the course of fourplus decades.
Love shack aside which is pretty much impossible to assess to due its omnipresence for the past thirty years, this is actually a really phenomenal album from the b 52 s. Their infectious music layered with dance grooves galore, that frankly just makes your body move has been in high gear for the past 35 years. Get the guaranteed best price on pop vinyl like the the b52s the b52s at musicians friend. The essential guide to the worlds greatest party band, the first and only officially authorized biography of the band. Later switched to guitar after ricky wilsons passing. In august 2014, the b52 stratofortress celebrated 60 years in the air. The b52s advanced their reputation as the greatest party band on the planet to a whole new generation of music fans. Longtime fans will note that the b 52s is among the most resilient bands in rock history. Finally, the book ends with the constant upgrades that will keep the b 52 an integral part of u. The book celebrates years of the groups history in words and.
The attendant cosmic thing showed that the band had not lost their touch and blended several musical styles with aplomb. About the b52s get official b 52s merchandise including tshirts, sweatshirts, hats, music and more. It began as an intercontinental, highaltitude nuclear bomber, and its operational capabilities were adapted to meet changing defense needs. Your what facebook is showing information to help you better understand the purpose of a page. After an original 45 single of rock lobster was pressed up by atlanta s db recs in 1978, the band signed. The b 52 s were among the first groups to come out of athens, ga, a college town that also spawned r.
B 52s has 253 photos and videos on their instagram profile. The b 52s advanced their reputation as the greatest party band on the planet to a whole new generation of music fans. Videos for a future generation 19791998 1998 dvd as a bonus disc with the australian time capsule cd rerelease in 2009. The b 52s were founded in 1976, when ricky, his sister cindy, kate pierson, keith strickland and fred schneider shared a tropical. The b 52 s came together in the mid70s over exotic drinks at a chinese restaurant, and their first concert was at a valentine s day house party. The band s debut single, rock lobster bw 52 girls, was released in february 1978, and became one of the first independent hits on the american new wave scene, selling over 20,000 copies without majorlabel distribution. The b 52s are an american rock band that formed in 1976 in athens, georgia, united states. Unlike their earlier singlecd greatest hits album from 1998 entitled time capsule. Ricky wilson died from aidsrelated illness in 1985, and strickland. A major part of the new wave scene, the band started out as fred schneider vocals, kate pierson vocals, organ, cindy wilson vocals, bongos, ricky wilson guitar, and keith strickland drums. In addition to their live performances, the b 52s will be in the spotlight for a documentary to be produced by fred armisen and directed by craig johnson as well as an official written history of.
Since their unlikely start, the b 52s have sold over 10 million albums, toured the world several times and carved a niche in rock n roll history. Quirky, lively, and original, the b52s formed in the late 1970s, and they remain one of athenss bestknown bands. They played to soldout audience worldwide on a tour that would last more than 18 months, including an earth day gig before nearly 750,000 people in new york city s. The b52s kate pierson on the music that made her pitchfork. The b52s plot 40th anniversary world tour rolling stone. The enduringly queer legacy of the the b 52s, author t. The book celebrates years of the groups history in words and hundreds of rare photographs. The b52s holiday ornament redgreen logo rock lobster beach towel. Booking entertainment is the leading entertainment booking agency for booking the b52s for events worldwide our the b 52s agent will be happy to help you get the b 52s s availability and booking fee, or the price and availability for any other alist entertainer, band, comedian or celebrity you may want for your corporate.
No novelty, the b52s may be the most subversive band. The b 52s first recorded rock lobster in the spring of 1978 as a seveninch single for db records, an independent atlanta label. The b52s are back with new tour, book and documentary in. Dont cheat the artist of any more plays and listeners.
The band s debut single, rock lobster b w 52 girls, was released in february 1978, and became one of the first independent hits on the american new wave scene, selling over 20,000 copies without majorlabel distribution. Well researched and poetically rendered, this book tells a compelling story of the. The b52s are an american new wave band formed in athens, georgia, in 1976. The b52s were formed in 1976 when vocalist cindy wilson, guitarist ricky wilson her elder brother, keyboardist and vocalist kate pierson, drummer and percussionist keith strickland, and cowbell player, poet and lead vocalist fred schneider held an impromptu jam session after sharing a flaming volcano drink at a chinese restaurant in athens. This summer, the b52s will be celebrating their history on tour, both solo and as part. The band s singer kate pierson talks about the joy and tragedy behind her favourite songs of their back catalogue, from rock lobster to love shack. Get the guaranteed best price on pop vinyl like the the b52s the b52s at musician s friend. Plumbing that deep well of possibilities that lurks beneath american contemporary culture, they managed sound both unique and oh so familiar at the same time. Cole rachel singles out the band s kaleidoscopic grasp of all things camp. Born in athens, georgia, wilson was the brother of fellow member cindy wilson. These technical details set the stage for its military service, starting with its role as a nuclear bomber in the cold war even though only conventional weapons have been used during its combat duty. The b52s love shack official music video by booboobay1. The bands second single existed somewhere between georgia, surf.