The B-52’s were formed in Athens, Georgia in 1976. They emerged from the underground, rooted in surf music, kitsch fashion and a kaleidoscope of pop culture. They totally stood out in a new wave post punk landscape with their big hooks, dance friendly rock songs and their offbeat sensibilities. Four out of the five band members were on the LGBTQ spectrum.
They delivered a succession of wonderful pop singles, garnering them big support from the likes of John Lennon and David Byrne, and were serious live favourites at CBGBs and Maxs Kansas City on the downtown NYC live music scene.
Their Chris Blackwell produced self-titled album in 1979 featured the hits Rock Lobster and Dance This Mess Around and they delivered successive pop nuggets throughout the 80’s, peaking again with Cosmic Thing album in 1989. This included the song Love Shack which was nominated for a Grammy for Best Pop Performance in 1990, alongside another nomination for Best Pop Performance for Roam and a further nomination for Best Alternative Music Album for Good Stuff in 1992.