Cindy wilson and keith bennett b52s memorabilia, ms3905, hargrett rare book and manuscript library, the university of georgia libraries. Love shack the song that would become their biggest hit and instant signature. Ricky wilson 19531985 was an american musician best known as the original guitarist and founding member of rock band the b52s. The original lineup consisted of fred schneider, kate pierson, cindy wilson, ricky wilson, and keith strickland. An effervescent comeback after guitarist ricky wilson s heart. Everyone knows the b52s signature song, love shack, which the band even. Oct 1985 30 years ago today, the guitarist ricky wilson died of complications from aids in new york city at the age of ricky wilson he may very well be in the top 3 most underrated guitar players of all time. At least it was critically savaged when it first came out, but to my mind it contains their very best work. See more ideas about b 52s, kate pierson and cindy wilson. This playlist has to be bookended with rock lobster and love shack. As they prepare a highprofile documentary and first official book, the b52s undoubtedly stand poised to inspire and influence future generations.
When we asked the b52s cindy wilson to share one of the meanings behind the title of her new solo album change nov. Cindy wilson talks about the early days of the b 52s and playing with her late brother ricky wilson, the bands 40th anniversary tour, and her new album change forty years have passed since the b 52s declared themselves a band at a chinese restaurant in their hometown of athens, georgia. The song rock lobster, was written by vocalist fred schneider and guitarist ricky wilson. The hiring on of byrne, then at the height of his creative powers, i thought was an inspired move on. More than four decades ago, the b52s began with a burst of spontaneity. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. His unusual approach to the guitar, using only four strings and special open tunings, went. The b52s, keith strickland, cindy wilson fred schneider, fred schneider, cindy wilson, ricky wilson, keith strickland kate pierson b. Guitarist ricky wilson succumbed to his battle with aids before bouncing off the satellites was released. From their first hit single, rock lobster, the bands music rose to popularity for its cheerful and unusual sound. Ricky wilson died from aidsrelated illness in 1985, and strickland switched from drums to lead guitar. Their voices in gorgeous harmony, kate pierson and cindy wilson sing over a revvedup rock beat while fred schneider barks, im at the mall on a diet pill. Tragically, ricky had not told cindy of his illness, and instead only confided in.
Wikipedia says ricky wilson did some weird tunings like he would take off the middle strings and just use the top two and bottom two. All those late hits like love shack were just a blander, suburban version of the b52s. This is a rare photo from the clark junior high year book of ricky wilson, standing on the left of the big dials in drama class for their production of the play, hip hippie hooray. Cynthia leigh wilson born february 28, 1957 is an american singer, and is one of the. One of the bands signature elements is the setup among the three vocalists. In 1976, pierson, fred schneider, keith strickland, cindy wilson and her older brother ricky shared a flaming volcano drink. Bohemian rhapsody how some artsy queer kids in georgia became the worlds greatest party band originally printed in fab issue 341 march 5, 2008. It really was the kind of career that could be salvaged and justified by a tremendous doubledisc retrospective like nude on the moon. The band understandably distraught opted not to tour to promote the record, so it remains a bit of an overlooked gem.
The b52s, from left, keith strickland, kate pierson, cindy wilson and fred schneider. Ricky wilson died from aidsrelated illness in 1985, and strickland. The b52s kate pierson on the music that made her pitchfork. Released in 1979 and simply titled the b52s, the debut album included tracks the band played consistently in concert over the last 40 years, including the demandsyoudance rock lobster and the slightly sinister planet claire. Vocalist cindy wilson had been raised in athens, along with her brother, the late guitarist ricky wilson. Likeminded people needed to stick together like the future b52s. Cindy wilson speaks to popmatters about their legacy. But i dont hold it against them they did an impressive job of holding things together after ricky died. The b 52s wild planet on numberededition lp from mobile fidelity silver series party out of bounds. When we asked the b52s cindy wilson to share one of the meanings behind. Formed in 1977 as an informal party band, the b52s included vocalist fred schneider, vocalist and organist kate pierson, percussionist keith strickland, and guitarist ricky wilson. The b52s fred schneider, kate pierson, cindy wilson, keith strickland famous alternative rock band from georgia formed 1976 the b52s self titled lp cover hand signed by all members on cover of. 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. Meanwhile, a book covering their entire history is in the works for a 2020 release.
New waveparty rock band the b52s from left, cindy wilson, fred schneider and kate pierson will perform at les schwab amphitheater on saturday as part of its 40thanniversary tour. Guitarist ricky wilson and drummer strickland provided the bands. The b52s, which she founded with her brother, ricky wilson, kate pierson, fred schneider, and keith strickland exploded onto the music scene in the 70s a big bang that helped create the musical milky way that is modernday athens. On the latter, cindy wilson established herself as the true lead single of the band. Within the last few years, vocalist kate pierson has opened up about ricky wilson s death and what it was like dealing with the tragic loss afterward. However, the b52s world was shaken up when guitarist ricky wilson revealed to his band members that he had contracted aids and died shortly after at the age of 32. The guide to getting into the b52s, pops most surprising party.
B52s, planet claire 1980s new waveindie from athens, ga. The second is good stuff, which was the only release by the band as a trio without cindy wilson. Formed in 1976, the b52s began with strickland playing drums, but the dynamics of the band changed when member ricky wilson died of aids back in 1985. The b52s were founded in 1976, when ricky, his sister cindy, kate pierson. This record is a mustmention in rocks history books. Ricky wilson died on october 1985 when he was 32 years old. Wilson s death was a blow and a surprise to the group, but they rebounded with their seminal album cosmic thing. Ricky was the brother of fellow band member cindy wilson, 62. Music movies tv comedy games books drink politics travel tech. Everyone knows the b52s signature song, love shack, which the band.
The b52s unique and wellcrafted trashiness was a bit of a shock to the system even hot on the heels of punk. The b52s are an american new wave band formed in athens, georgia, in 1976. Kate pierson, fred schneider, keith strickland, cindy wilson and ricky wilson deceased. The b52s styled as the b52s prior to 2008 are an american new wave band formed in athens, georgia, in 1976. In 1985, ricky wilson passed away from aids, and keith strickland. The band also added touring members for albums and live performances. Born in athens, georgia, wilson was the brother of fellow member cindy wilson. Check out this wacky video for the song, complete with fred donning harem pants and kate pierson in a beehive wig. In 1983, during recording sessions for the bands third studio album, wilson discovered he had contracted aids.
Ricky wilson was the real b52s he was responsible for the amazing sound on the debut. The b52s debut album without any bonus tracks on the cd defies any attempt to place it in a convenient cubby hole. The b52s, new wave pioneers from the 70s, are back with an album and a planned tour. About the b52s get official b52s merchandise including tshirts, sweatshirts, hats, music and more. Each member of the b52s is a worthy of celebration on their own, but collectively the band is an iconic staple of lgbt culture. The b52s do their best to remain youthful as they perform. I found a b52s greatest hits cd at the used store for cheap. The original lineup consisted of fred schneider vocals, percussion, kate pierson vocals, keyboards, cindy wilson vocals, percussion, ricky wilson guitar, and keith strickland drums, guitar, keyboards. The b52s guitarist keith strickland reveals how a tragic death.
Though mates fred and kate both have led many of the b52s hit songs, it. The b52s kate pierson opens up about losing ricky wilson. Cindy wilson has been shattering perceptions on the music scene for four decades. The b52s guitarist keith strickland reveals how a tragic. This fullcolor, hardcover book contains detailed biographies of each member of the b52s. Ricky wilson was the b52s master planner and main songwriter. Tragically, ricky had not told cindy of his illness, and instead only confided in keith so as to not worry his sister or others in the. Eclectic groups sophomore album the equal of its smash debut boffo encore. Although its my own personal favorite b52s release, the 1982 ep produced by david byrne known as mesopotamia is generally thought of as being one of their least successful records.
Cindy wilson, kate pierson and fred schneider took to the stage at the fillmore in san francisco on monday night. As the band flies into buenos aires for a tour stop this week, b52s fans across the globe are absorbing the news that the athensbirthed band is. Cindy wilson talks about the early days of the b52s and playing with her late. Fred schneider vocals, kate pierson vocals and keyboards, ricky wilson guitar, keith. Played on my reverend club king 290 through a fender 22w supersonic on the burn higain channel with just a little bit of gain so it. The b52s self titled album featured the long version of this song and was released in 1979. The b52s are a rock band formed in athens, georgia in 1976. Liking some of the goofy stuff on there like mesopotamia and summer of love.
At that point, strickland moved from drummer to guitar. The b52srounded out by ricky s sister cindy wilson on percussion and vocals. From their beginnings in athens, georgia, in the late 1970s through. The b52s 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. Surf, pop, dance, kitsch, cabaret, and psychedelia unite with giddy vocals and ricky wilson s stillunderrated guitar playing. Its the inimitable sound of the b52s on the new single and title track of.
The b52s, keith strickland, cindy wilson fred schneider, fred. The b52s were formed when wilson who was born in athens, georgia, guitarist ricky wilson. His death necessitated a genre shift from quirky new wave to clubfriendly pop rock, though the quirkiness never fully went away. The first is any of their post1985 releases, barring bouncing off the satellites thanks to ricky wilson s death.
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