Kate and Cindy around 2010
The B-52's classic lineup is Fred, Kate, Cindy, Keith, and Ricky, RIP. When it comes to the vocals, Fred is the comic relief, while Kate is the heart, and Cindy is the soul.
Formed in 1976 while drinking Flaming Volcanoes at a house party, the band drew inspiration from 50s and 60s dance, party, and surf music; their look came straight from camp culture.
I discovered the band in the early 80s, when they made a cameo appearance as the party band in a couple of episodes of the soap opera The Guiding Light, and because my cooler-than-cool cousin Denise had Whammy! in her cassette deck when she dropped us, her younger cousins, off at the pool. Of course, they were among the first artists featured on MTV, with videos for "Songs for a Future Generation" and "Legal Tender."
Cosmic Thing broke them from the indie college party circuit to being, well, everywhere. Love Shack is a party standard played at any GenX event.
Kate became the duet queen of alt-rock in the '80s and '90s, pairing up with Iggy Pop for the song Candy and four songs with REM, including the hit Shiny Happy People.
Cindy semi-retired to have babies at this time.
She came back for their late '90s pop culture surge: soundtrack for The Flintstones movie, tributes to Debbie Harry, an anniversary greatest hits release, and a parody turn with the song Glove Slap on The Simpsons. The final party continues with a long goodbye, light touring with Devo - including here in Grand Rapids next week - and a residency in Las Vegas.
B-52 essentials: 52 Girls, Dance this Mess Around, Rock Lobster, Planet Claire, Give Me Back My Man, Strobe Light, Quiche Lorraine, Queen of Las Vegas, Legal Tender, Song for a Future Generation, Love Shack, Good Stuff, Hot Pants, Debbie.
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