It was the summer of 1980, but it seems like it was just yesterday when I was going to my first high school party. I remember the sights and definitely the sounds. It was the strangest song I ever heard to that point in my life, but it spoke to me. The song was “Rock Lobster,” by the B-52s. All I can say is that band has been a part of me ever since.
For their devoted fans, there has never been a “Party out of Bounds” that the B-52s couldn’t carry solely with their music.
Over my lifetime and that of countless fans, the journey has been cosmic with out of this world music that propelled us from our “Love Shack” on Main Street to “Planet Claire,” while asking the universe to “Give Me Back My Man,” while we “Roam” for “Private Idaho” with a “Strobe Light.”
This 1977 self-proclaimed “Party Band,” has become the metric that successful bands are measured by.
With all their early success, it wasn’t until 1989 when the band released their fifth studio album, “Cosmic Thing” when the band became an international sensation.
Forty-five years later, the band has done it all, and earlier this week, the band announced they will be hitting the road one last time on “The Final Tour Ever of Planet Earth.”
If that isn’t enough, joining them on this final rocket ride to cosmos will be The Tubes along with KC & The Sunshine Band.
KC & The Sunshine band are a party within themselves with monster hits that have captured our hearts and souls. You have to love songs like “Get Down Tonight,” “Give It Up,” “Boogie Shoes,” “That’s The Way,” “Keep It Comin’ Love,” “Shake Your Booty,” “Please Don’t Go,” and “I’m Your Boogie Man,” and part of the party legacy that is a must see.
And as for The Tubes, they are a beauty!
As for the B-52s, the core lineup will be hitting the stage. The iconic voice of Fred Schneider will be behind the mic, and the angelic voices of Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson will be entertaining us once again.
November 4, 2022
November 5, 2022
A few years back, we spoke with Pierson about the early days of the band and their longevity. She said, “Who knew what started off as a way for us to have some fun and play music for our friends at house parties would still be such a big part of our lives after all these years, it has been quite the ride.”
As a postscript to this amazing run, a documentary on the band will be coming out. It will be released by MRC Films and Fulwell 73 in early 2023.
The B-52’s, they are a gift that just keeps on giving. Get out and see this band for their last show on this third rock from the sun called Earth. You can catch them at the YouTube Theatre, and just added they are coming to the OC to play The Honda Center!
