What is your favorite B52s album? It’s not an easy question. On any given day, I could say Whammy, or Wild Planet, or their self-titled album from 1979. One thing is certain in my mind, though: 1979-1983 were their golden years. I couldn’t get enough of those three albums.

And remember when the DJ played “Rock Lobster” at the dances, and everyone spiraled down to the floor and lay on their backs and shook their arms and legs in the air at the crescendo of that musical spiral? The dances were the best. Yeah, they were filled with a lot of anxiety, too—would anyone dance with me? would I dance with so-and-so? would I meet anybody new? But that was part of it. Most of the time, I didn’t; once in a while, I did. Dancing to good tunes was fun, though. So much sweat; just letting go; lost in the music, darkness, flashing lights.

Good times.

Fred was so intense. I loved it. That guy could bang a tambourine!

I think my favorite B52s song is “Give Me Back My Man” just saying.

Does anyone remember that Cindy Wilson and Ricky Wilson were siblings, and that Ricky Wilson died of AIDs in 1985 at the age of 32? So sad. His death had a profound effect on the band for several years.

The band had a huge effect on me. They helped me let my hair down and have fun during those tough adolescent years.

#B52s #NewWave #80s #GenX #geneverybody #postpunk