All-Music Guide (C) 1994 by Matrix Software, Big Rapids, MI 49307 Please submit correction
All-Music Guide (C) 1994 by Matrix Software, Big Rapids, MI 49307
Please submit corrections or additional albums for this artist
(also bios, sidemen, tracks, ratings, and reviews)
at Internet Address: AMG@ALLMUSIC.FERRIS.EDU
All-Music Guidelines in file: ALLMUSICHELP
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Artist : The B-52's
Genre : Rock
Style : Alternative pop, Dance-pop, 80's Pop,
Instr. : Group
Rating : importance (2) popularity (1)
All-Music Guide Biography
Athens, GA, has been a hotbed of alternative talent for quite a
while, but the town's rise to cutting-edge musical prominence was
aided in no small part by the 1976 formation of the B-52's, a wildly
unorthodox party band that featured a guitarist with a five-string
Mosrite electric and two mini-skirted, go-go-booted female singers
(Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson) who sported extremely bouffant
hairdos.,The recklessly exuberant self-titled Warner debut was a
left-field success, selling tons of copies with little radio support.
The followup, WILD PLANET, picks up where THE B-52'S left off, with
mixed results; nevertheless, it enjoys even greater success.,A
dance-mix EP and two subsequent albums (MESOPOTAMIA and WHAMMY!)
provide further variations on the band's sound, but the "fun" sounds
increasingly forced.,Guitarist Ricky Wilson passed away in 1985 from
AIDS, before the release of the uneven BOUNCING OFF THE SATELLITES.
With drummer Keith Strickland taking over Wilson's guitar duties, the
B-52's returned from an extended break and put out the hugely
successful COSMIC THING. Produced by Don Was and Nile Rodgers, COSMIC
THING successfully sythesized the band's wacky energy with just the
right amount of streamlining. ~ Rick Clark
---------- Related Artists -----------
Cramps, The
Talking Heads
Shake Society
Tom Tom Club
---------- Roots & Influences ----------
Surf Rock-Ventures
Garage Rock-Early 60s west coast instrumental music
Ono, Yoko
Birthdate & Place : Athens, Georgia
AMG Artist ID # : P000003598
Chronological Album List |Date| Label | Number |R S T|Rating
--------------------------------+----+----------+--------+-----+------
Tell It Like It T-I-Is |1992|Warner Bro|40594 | |
Revolution Earth |1992|Warner Bro|40642 | |
Good Stuff |1992|Reprise |26943 |R S | Good
Party Mix/Mesopotamia |1991|Warner Bro|26401 |R | OK
Dance This Mess Around |1990|Audio Visu|9959 | T|
1979-1989 |1990|Warner Bro|38160 | | Good
1978-1989 |1990|Reprise |38160 | |
Roam |1989|Warner Bro|21441 | T|
Love Shack |1989|Warner Bro|19430 | T|
Love Shack |1989|Atlantic |9213182 | T|
Deadbeat Club |1989|Atlantic |3825 | T|
Cosmic Thing |1989|Reprise |25854 |R S T| BestA
Channel Z |1989|Audio Visu|9212992 | T|
Channel Z |1989|A&M |9737CD75| T|
Bouncing off the Satellites |1986|Warner Bro|25504 | S T| Good
Whammy! |1983|Warner Bro|23819 | T| Good
Mesopotamia |1982|Audio Visu|8462392 | T| OK
Party Mix! |1981|Island |1001 | S | OK
Party Mix |1981|Audio Visu|8460442 | T|
Wild Planet |1980|Warner Bro|3471 |R S | Good
B-52's, The |1979|Warner Bro|3355 |R S T|+BestA
B-52's / Wild Planet |Z |Warner Bro|25131 | |+ Good
All-Music Guide Album Details (Alphabetical Order)
----------------------- All-Music Guide Album ------------------------
Album : 1978-1989
Artist : The B-52's
Rating : not rated yet
Genre : Rock
Type : video
Date : 1990 (release)
AMG ID : R000085386 (album inprint)
--------- Album Releases ---------
1990 Reprise 38160
Warner Brothers 38160
----------------------- All-Music Guide Album ------------------------
Album : 1979-1989
Artist : The B-52's
Rating : Good
Genre : Rock
Type : compilation
Date : 1990 (release)
AMG ID : R000001081
--------- Album Releases ---------
Warner Brothers 38160
----------------------- All-Music Guide Album ------------------------
Album : B-52's / Wild Planet
Artist : The B-52's
Rating : Good (First Pick)
Genre : Rock
AMG ID : R000001072 (album inprint)
--------- Album Releases ---------
LP Warner Brothers 25131
CS Warner Brothers 4-25131
----------------------- All-Music Guide Album ------------------------
Album : B-52's, The
Artist : The B-52's
Rating : Best-of-Artist (First Pick)
Charts : Billboard #059, entered Aug 11, 1979, on charts 055 weeks
Genre : Rock
Time : 39:14 min
Date : 1979 (release)
AMG ID : R000001073 (album inprint)
--------- Album Releases ---------
1987 CD Warner Brothers 2-3355
1987 CS Warner Brothers M5-3355
1979 LP Warner Brothers 3255
1979 CD Atlantic 33552
CD Warner Brothers 3355
1979 Warner Brothers 3355
------- AMG Album Reviews -------
Their loopy debut contains "Rock Lobster." ~ Dan Heilman
It's all here on the debut album: the "Secret Agent Man" drum/guitar
tracks that compel the feet to dance, topped by shrill female vocals
and the brash speak-singing of Fred Schneider giving forth with some
of the strangest non sequiturs as though he were an overexcited
carnival barker. Includes "Planet Claire" and the hit "Rock Lobster."
~ William Ruhlmann
------- Album Personnel/Sidemen -------
Robert Ash - Engineer
Chris Blackwell - Producer
Kate Pierson - v/k/g
Fred Schneider - Keyboards, Vocal
Keith Strickland - Drums
Cindy Wilson - Vocal, Guitar
Ricky Wilson - Guitar
-------- Album Tracks --------
Planet Claire
52 Girls
Dance This Mess Around
Rock Lobster
Lava
There's A Moon In The Sky (Called The Moon)
Hero Worship
6060-842
Downtown
----------------------- All-Music Guide Album ------------------------
Album : Bouncing off the Satellites
Artist : The B-52's
Rating : Good
Charts : Billboard #085, entered Oct 4 , 1986, on charts 015 weeks
Genre : Rock
Time : 45:54 min
Date : 1986 (release)
AMG ID : R000001078 (album inprint)
--------- Album Releases ---------
1985 CD Warner Brothers 2-25504
1985 CS Warner Brothers 4-25504
1986 CD Atlantic 9255042
1986 LP Warner Brothers 25504
CD Warner Brothers 25504
------- Album Personnel/Sidemen -------
Tom Beckerman - Guitar (electric)
John Cote - Vocal (background)
Tony Mansfield - syn, Producer
Mark Mazur - Guitar (bass)
Tony Phillips - Engineer
Kate Pierson - Vocal, Organ
Tim Rollins - Guitar
Fred Schneider - Vocal
Keith Strickland - b/g/per/k/hrc
Cindy Wilson - Vocal
Ricky Wilson - Guitar, Guitar (bass)
-------- Album Tracks --------
Summer Of Love
Girl From Ipanema Goes To Greenland
Housework
Detour Thru Your Mind
Wig
Theme For A Nude Beach
Ain't It A Shame
Juicy Jungle
Communicate
She Brakes For Rainbows
----------------------- All-Music Guide Album ------------------------
Album : Channel Z
Artist : The B-52's
Rating : not rated yet
Genre : Rock
Time : 16:21 min
Date : 1989 (release)
AMG ID : R000171883
--------- Album Releases ---------
1989 CD A&M W9737CD75992174
-------- Album Tracks --------
Channel Z (Remix Edit)
Channel Z (Rock Mix)
Channel Z (12" Mix)
----------------------- All-Music Guide Album ------------------------
Album : Channel Z
Artist : The B-52's
Rating : not rated yet
Genre : Rock
Time : 16:04 min
Date : 1989 (release)
AMG ID : R000171412
--------- Album Releases ---------
1989 CD3 Audio Visual International 9212992
-------- Album Tracks --------
Channel Z (rock mix)
Channel Z (Remix/Edit)
Channel Z (Rock Dub)
----------------------- All-Music Guide Album ------------------------
Album : Cosmic Thing
Artist : The B-52's
Rating : Best-of-Artist
Charts : Billboard #004, entered Jul 22, 1989, on charts 065 weeks
Genre : Rock
Time : 47:03 min
Date : 1989 (release)
AMG ID : R000001079 (album inprint)
--------- Album Releases ---------
1989 CD Reprise 2-25854
1989 CS Reprise 4-25854
1989 CD Atlantic 9258542
LP Reprise 25854
CD Warner Brothers 25854
------- AMG Album Reviews -------
A worthy comeback, with "Love Shack" and "Roam." ~ Dan Heilman
Belatedly, and despite the death of their musical leader Ricky Wilson,
the B-52's found enormous commercial success with this album, which
effectively recapitulates their zany virtues, especially on the two
Top Three hits "Love Shack" and "Roam." ~ William Ruhlmann
------- Album Personnel/Sidemen -------
Carl Beatty - Horn
Chris Cioe - Horn
Leroy Clouden - Drums
Dave Cook - Engineer
Charlie Drayton - Drums
Tom Durack - Engineer
Sonny Emory - Drums
Steve Ferrone - Drums
Bob Funk - Horn
Arno Hecht - Horn
Richard Hilton - Keyboards
Sara Lee - Guitar (bass)
Paul Literal - Horn
Tom Mandel - Keyboards
Kate Pierson - Vocal, Keyboards
Nile Rodgers - Guitar (electric), Producer
Philippe Saisse - Keyboards
Fred Schneider - Vocal, Vocal (background)
Keith Strickland - g/v/k/vcb
Don Was - Producer
Cindy Wilson - Vocal
-------- Album Tracks --------
Cosmic Thing
Dry County
Deadbeat Club
Love Shack
Junebug
Roam
Bushfire
Channel Z
Topaz
Follow Your Bliss
----------------------- All-Music Guide Album ------------------------
Album : Dance This Mess Around
Artist : The B-52's
Rating : not rated yet
Genre : Rock
Time : 53:42 min
Date : 1990 (release)
AMG ID : R000171818
--------- Album Releases ---------
1990 CD Audio Visual International CID9959
-------- Album Tracks --------
Party Out Of Bounds
Devil In My Car
Dirty Back Road
6060-842
Wig
Dance This Mess Around
Rock Lobster
Strobe Light
Give Me Back My Man
Song For A Future Generation
Planet Claire
52 Girls
Private Idaho
----------------------- All-Music Guide Album ------------------------
Album : Deadbeat Club
Artist : The B-52's
Rating : not rated yet
Genre : Rock
Time : 13:15 min
Date : 1989 (release)
AMG ID : R000171816
--------- Album Releases ---------
1989 CD Atlantic PROCD3825
-------- Album Tracks --------
Deadbeat Club (Remix/Edit)
Deadbeat Club (Lp Edit)
Deadbeat Club (Lp Version)
----------------------- All-Music Guide Album ------------------------
Album : Good Stuff
Artist : The B-52's
Rating : Good
Charts : Billboard #016, entered Jul 11, 1992, on charts 015 weeks
Genre : Rock
Time : 56:01 min
Date : Jun 23, 1992 (release)
AMG ID : R000054819 (album inprint)
--------- Album Releases ---------
1992 CD Reprise 2-26943
1992 CD Reprise 2-26995
1992 CS Reprise 4-26943
1992 Reprise 26943
Reprise
CD Warner Brothers 26943
CD Warner Brothers 26995
CD Warner Brothers 40561
------- AMG Album Reviews -------
If COSMIC THING found them returned to most-favored party band status,
this follow-up gamely soldiers on in similiar fashion. Without Cindy
Wilson, GODD STUFF becomes Kate Pierson's showcase, while even Fred
Schneider turns in his most purely musical performance to-date. If the
B-52's hit some dead ends while trying to stretch out a bit, be
assured there's enough classic bits to make this one worthwhile. ~
Steve Aldrich
Ever been to a party where you're anticipating getting together with
old friends, and one of the people you were most hoping to see doesn't
show up? Although everybody works hard at having a good time, you
can't escape the fact that something/someone is missing.
That's what The B-52's have to contend with on GOOD STUFF. Cindy
Wilson bowed out from the group just prior to the recording session,
leaving the quartet short one female voice. Kate Pierson multi-tracks
her vocal parts to compensate and banters gamely with co-vocalist Fred
Schneider, but it just isn't the B-52's patented, rapid-fire,
three-way exchange.
Still, the Georgian threesome soldiers gamely with its mix of
tackiness and truth, while alternating producers Don Was and Nile
Rodgers keep things danceable throughout.
The group that helped define pop trash aesthetic over the past 15
years -- from Rock Lobster to Love Shack -- remains true to cultural
form with the self-explanatory "Hot Pants Explosion" and the
kidnapped-by-UFOs classic "Is That You Mo-Dean?"
It's also refreshing to find the maturing B-52's, who lend support to
a number of worthy social causes, offering the pro-environment
two-pack of "Revolution Earth and Dreamland." Highlight "Bad
Influence" closes GOOD STUFF, an inspired anthem to non-conformity:
"Break out of the mold before the mold sets in ... Love's a grenade,
I'll pull the pin." ~ Roch Parisien
------- Album Personnel/Sidemen -------
Zachary Alford - Drums
Kathleen Blihar
Nicky Brown - Bass
Sterling Campbell - Drums
Lenny Castro - Percussion
Ed Cherney - Engineer
Bedarayana Das
Subal Das
Uragaya Das
Tom Durack - Engineer
Monique-Francois Eduoxie
Bhakta Erick
Richard Hilton - Keyboards
James Hutchinson - Bass
Pat Irwin - Organ (Hammond), Piano
Jane Ivchekno
Caesar Johnston
Steve "Doc" Kupka - Sax (baritone)
Sarah Lee - Bass
Ben McLeod
David McMurray - Sax, Flute
Mo-Dean Intergalactic Choir - Vocal
Jamie Muhoberac - Keyboards
Kate Pierson - Vocal
Jeff Porcaro - Drums
Nile Rodgers - Guitar
Fred Schneider - Vocal
Amy Shulman - Harp
Keith Strickland - g/k/v
Lee Thornburg - Trumpet
Don Was - Guitar, Producer
Brad Weinberg
Rukmini Weinberg
Tracy Wormworth - Bass
----------------------- All-Music Guide Album ------------------------
Album : Love Shack
Artist : The B-52's
Rating : not rated yet
Genre : Rock
Time : 33:57 min
Date : 1989 (release)
AMG ID : R000171411
--------- Album Releases ---------
1989 CD Atlantic 9213182
-------- Album Tracks --------
Love Shack (12" Remix)
Love Shack (Remix/Edit)
Channel Z (12" Rock Mix)
Love Shack (12" Mix)
Love Shack (A Capella)
Love Shack (Big Radio Mix)
----------------------- All-Music Guide Album ------------------------
Album : Love Shack
Artist : The B-52's
Rating : not rated yet
Genre : Rock
Time : 9:24 min
Date : 1989 (release)
AMG ID : R000171410 (album inprint)
--------- Album Releases ---------
CD Warner Brothers 19430
1989 CD Atlantic PROCD3679
CD Warner Brothers 21318
-------- Album Tracks --------
Love Shack (Edit)
Love Shack (Lp Version)
----------------------- All-Music Guide Album ------------------------
Album : Mesopotamia
Artist : The B-52's
Rating : OK
Charts : Billboard #035, entered Feb 20, 1982, on charts 018 weeks
Genre : Rock
Time : 26:18 min
Date : 1982 (release)
AMG ID : R000001076 (album inprint)
--------- Album Releases ---------
1982 CD Audio Visual International 8462392
CS Warner Brothers MM5-3641
LP Warner Brothers 3641
1982 LP Island 4006
-------- Album Tracks --------
Throw That Beat In The Garbage Can
Cake
Deep Sleep
Love Land
Mesopotamia
Nip It In The Bud
Loveland
Deep Sleep
Mesopotamia
Cake
Throw That Beat In The Garbage Can
Nip It In The Bud
----------------------- All-Music Guide Album ------------------------
Album : Party Mix
Artist : The B-52's
Rating : not rated yet
Genre : Rock
Time : 28:29 min
Date : 1981 (release)
AMG ID : R000171792
--------- Album Releases ---------
1981 CD Audio Visual International 8460442
-------- Album Tracks --------
Party Out Of Bounds
Private Idaho
Give Me Back My Man
Lava
Dance This Mess Around
52 Girls
----------------------- All-Music Guide Album ------------------------
Album : Party Mix!
Artist : The B-52's
Rating : OK
Charts : Billboard #055, entered Aug 8 , 1981, on charts 011 weeks
Genre : Rock
Date : 1981 (release)
AMG ID : R000001075
--------- Album Releases ---------
1981 LP Island 1001
Warner Brothers 3596
------- Album Personnel/Sidemen -------
Kate Pierson - v/k/g
Fred Schneider - Keyboards, Vocal
Keith Strickland - Drums
Cindy Wilson - Vocal, Guitar
Ricky Wilson - Guitar
----------------------- All-Music Guide Album ------------------------
Album : Party Mix/Mesopotamia
Artist : The B-52's
Rating : OK
Charts : Billboard #184, entered Feb 23, 1991, on charts 003 weeks
Genre : Rock
Time : 54:26 min
Date : 1991 (release)
AMG ID : R000001080 (album inprint)
--------- Album Releases ---------
1991 CD Warner Brothers 2-26401
1982 CS Warner Brothers 26401
CD Warner Brothers 26401
------- AMG Album Reviews -------
In 1981, the B-52's issued a six-track EP containing remixes of some
of the most popular songs from their first two albums. In 1982, they
recorded a new six-track EP produced by Talking Heads's David Byrne
called MESOPOTAMIA. Neither of them was essential, but both had their
virtues, and they were put together on one CD after the group's big
commercial breakthrough with COSMIC THING. ~ William Ruhlmann
----------------------- All-Music Guide Album ------------------------
Album : Revolution Earth
Artist : The B-52's
Rating : not rated yet
Genre : Rock
Date : 1992 (approx.)
AMG ID : R000183172 (album inprint)
--------- Album Releases ---------
CD Warner Brothers 40642
----------------------- All-Music Guide Album ------------------------
Album : Roam
Artist : The B-52's
Rating : not rated yet
Genre : Rock
Time : 33:29 min
Date : 1989 (release)
AMG ID : R000171413 (album inprint)
--------- Album Releases ---------
CD Warner Brothers 21441
1989 CD Atlantic 9214412
-------- Album Tracks --------
Roam (7" Remix)
Roam (Radio Mix)
Roam (12" Remix)
Bushfire
Roam (Extended Remix)
Roam (Instrumental)
----------------------- All-Music Guide Album ------------------------
Album : Tell It Like It T-I-Is
Artist : The B-52's
Rating : not rated yet
Genre : Rock
Date : 1992 (approx.)
AMG ID : R000183161 (album inprint)
--------- Album Rele
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