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* Before the B-52’s were a national sensation, they were a regional band in Georgia. Yes, that New Wave, openly gay-themed crazy-good band was from Georgia - in the 1970’s, man. That couldn’t have been easy. Heck, it wouldn’t be easy now.

But here they are, before they signed their first recording contract, in an Atlanta night club in 1978 performing a song that would earn them musical immortality. This takes almost a minute to get going, so be patient and celebrate..

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Oct 24, 14 @ 8:48 am

Comments

Outstanding way to start Friday!
At least there are no campaign commercials on channel Z

Comment by Big Muddy Friday, Oct 24, 14 @ 8:52 am
Like ‘em or not, there’s no one like ‘em. Thanks Rich, I needed that!

Comment by Skeptic Friday, Oct 24, 14 @ 8:57 am
Rich, if you see this, you ought to post something about that Illinois Times story on Dean Olsen. That’ll make readers here think once again about what’s happening to journalism in Illinois….

Comment by The Historian Friday, Oct 24, 14 @ 8:57 am
“I got a fever and the only prescription is more cowbell.”

Good start to a Friday, thanks Rich

Comment by Abraham Froman Friday, Oct 24, 14 @ 9:01 am
If you close your eyes it sounds like Jello Biafra singing a kind of Dead Kennedy’s cover of Rock Lobster.

Comment by Spliff Friday, Oct 24, 14 @ 9:03 am
Yes I never did quite get the rock scene down in Athens, Georgia which also gave us R.E.M.

Good band though. I saw them at the state fair a few years back when “Good Stuff” was on the charts. Probably a good song for the day they completely legalize pot in this state.

Comment by A Jack Friday, Oct 24, 14 @ 9:07 am
noteworthy: although this performance is in Atlanta, B-52’s got their start an hour away in Athens, GA. Home of the University of Georgia Bulldogs and pretty much the birthplace of college rock.

Rumor has it that Athens led the South in per capita consumption of LSD.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Friday, Oct 24, 14 @ 9:09 am
Seriously radical dada, a complete “f-you” to pop music during that era. You have to know the age and the zeitgeist to appreciate what these people are doing.

Could be the first use of a smoke detector as a musical instrument.

Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Oct 24, 14 @ 9:09 am
On Marc Maron’s WTF Podcast, RuPaul spoke at length about his time flying the freak flag in Georgia. (Ru can be spotted disco dancing in the B-52’s “Love Shack” video.)

– MrJM

Comment by MrJM Friday, Oct 24, 14 @ 9:13 am
Kate Pierson worbeling vocal effects make this song. Fun to hear the early rendition.

Comment by James Knell Friday, Oct 24, 14 @ 9:21 am
I read somewhere that early on the B-52s didn’t even know how to play instruments and would frequently use kids toy instruments too. That must have been a crazy scene back in GA in the late 70s. Even today their shows still have the same energy and fun as the one in the video. Their first album, the yellow one, is outstanding. They do a great version of Petula Clark’s “Downtown” on it.

Comment by Red Ranger Friday, Oct 24, 14 @ 9:21 am
Terrific–Such a great song! Fun performance!

Comment by Belle Friday, Oct 24, 14 @ 9:29 am
Kate Pierson worbeling vocal effects make this song. That is her Yoko Ono impersonation and John Lennon became a mentor to the band, thanks to it.

Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Oct 24, 14 @ 9:30 am
Loved it. It’s also a good reminder for us all that everybody was young once and that everybody starts somewhere.

Comment by Responsa Friday, Oct 24, 14 @ 9:35 am
All this does is remind me that my elders (Rich) are pretty dang hip and eclectic! The music you post is my first hook everyday! Thanks for that!

Comment by Walter Mitty Friday, Oct 24, 14 @ 9:53 am
If my post was lost from last night I’ll try it again. There is a Music festival in Chillicothe called Summer Camp that is held every year and I know there is also one in Madison WI. because I have a friend who goes to both. If you go, get there early. Maybe other readers can add to the list.

Comment by Ginhouse Tommy Friday, Oct 24, 14 @ 10:00 am
Thanks for the great comments VanillaMan. And for once, I’m not being snarky. I’ve always liked the B-52s, but it’s clear you’re a true fan with a depth of knowledge. Thanks for sharing it.

Great pick Rich. Thanks for starting my day off right.

Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Oct 24, 14 @ 10:19 am
I had this song on an 80’s CD and my daughter would request it almost daily on the ride to daycare. We had the scream at the end timed to the exact second (4:19) so we could scream along. Thanks Rich!

Comment by anonymous Friday, Oct 24, 14 @ 11:27 am
I saw the B-52s in the summer of 1983 at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley, CA. I was 18 years old and I remember 2 things about that night. The first was Kate “warboling” during “Rock Lobster” as it echoed across the U of C Campus. The second was the vision of the guy in front of me, who threw a potato at the band during “Private Idaho,” heaving it like it was a grenade. Thanks Rich.

Comment by John on the spot Friday, Oct 24, 14 @ 11:30 am
I saw them play almost thirty years ago and again at Milwaukee Summerfest just a few years ago. They still have a ton of energy. The voice ranges have shrunk somewhat, but they put on a great live show. They are much better than “that Love Shack band.”

Comment by Jake From Elwood Friday, Oct 24, 14 @ 12:52 pm
Bless you Rich for the blast from the past. Funny, Fred is so young and in his prime, he reminds me more of Freddy Mercury than anything else. We were all so young and full of life…I want to go out tonight and do something crazy with someone special to honor our fabulously wasted youth!

Comment by Jibba Friday, Oct 24, 14 @ 6:22 pm
And anyone wanting to see something similar should google Cindy singing “Give Me Back My Man” on SNL from about 1980. Heartbreaking and totally sexy!

Comment by Jibba Friday, Oct 24, 14 @ 6:24 pm