The B-52s
The quirky appearance, stage antics and lyrical content of the B-52's belie a formidable musical ability, as the band's rhythmically perfect pop songs show many influences, including '50s' rock ‘n’ roll, punk and funk. However, it was the late '70s' new-wave music fans that took them to their hearts. The group were formed in Athens, Georgia, USA in 1976 and took their name from the bouffant hairstyle worn by Kate Pierson (b. 27 April 1948, Weehawken, New Jersey, USA; organ/vocals) and Cindy Wilson (b. 28 February 1957, Athens, Georgia, USA; guitar/vocals). The line-up was completed by Cindy's brother Ricky (b. 19 March 1953, Athens, Georgia, USA; guitar), Fred Schneider (b. 1 July 1951, Newark, Georgia, USA; keyboards/vocals) and Keith Strickland (b. 26 October 1953, Athens, Georgia, USA; drums). The lyrically bizarre Rock Lobster was originally a private pressing of 2,000 copies and came to the notice of the perceptive Chris Blackwell, who signed them to Island Records in the UK. The debut B-52'S became a strong seller and established the band as a highly regarded unit with a particularly strong following on the American campus circuit during the early '80s. Their anthem Rock Lobster became a belated US hit in 1980 and they received John Lennon's seal of approval that year as his favourite band. Their subsequent albums continued to make the group hard to categorize, and consequently they remained a popular cult band. Their music is: polyrhythmic Captain Beefheart meeting '50s' rock with punkish energy. Ricky Wilson died of AIDS in 1986 (although it was initially claimed that cancer was the cause, to save his family from intrusion) and the band released no new work until their career reached a commercial peak in 1989 bringing with it a new generation of fans, with the powerful hit single Love Shack and its superb accompanying video. COSMIC THING showed that the band had not lost their touch and they remain true originals by blending a number of non-original styles. 
In 1992, the group parted company with Cindy Wilson and recorded GOOD STUFF under the control of both, seperately, Don Was (of Was (Not Was)) and Nile Rodgers of Chic. During a Democratic party fund-raising concert in April of that year, actress Kim Basinger stood in for Wilson. Julie Cruise augmented the band in 1993.