I just listened to a wonderful interview with Kate Pierson from the B52s on Sound Opinions, which is a great weekly podcast from WBEZ Chicago. Occasionally people here ask about podcasts and I can recommend this one, it’s intelligent and even if you don’t necessarily like the people they’re talking about, the presenters are informed and interesting.
Anyway, I just LOVED Kate on this podcast – I always liked the B52s because they’re poppy and trashy and so on – and here she’s just so generous and nice. She’s promoting her solo album “Guitars and Microphones”, but of course she talks about the B52s, openly and honestly and in a familiar and friendly way. She’s lovely.
Also, for me personally, she says that the B52s were going to be called “Fellini’s Children” because they all loved the Fellini soundtracks composed by Nino Rota (even if she mispronounces his name). So that just nailed it for me.
Anyway, check it out. Any rabid B52s fans around this place???….
Also – her new album is a collaboration with SIA for fuck’s sake – how cool is this person?
S’lovely and a cute use of old photos. This is the sort of stuff I want to listen to on the radio on long journeys. Instead I get Jo Whiley boring me rigid with Jack Garratt in session. No wonder I am giving up on new music.
Well I have no idea who Jo and Jack are but yes, lovely stuff for a road trip. Roam etc…
I can’t accept Kate Pierson is 67 years old. It doesn’t make sense.
First album just reissued on shocking yellow vinyl. Snagged one to replace \ retire my well worn Japanese copy
Yes Mousey, I was quite the fan of The B-52s, the first two albums were the soundtrack to my life and those of several friends back in the day. Two main memories. One, driving in my friend Carl’s ancient Toyota Corolla, swaying back and forth so violently to Rock Lobster that we almost turned the car over. Second, seeing the band three nights in a row in the late 80s in Athens, Columbus, and Cleveland with the female weight lifter I was dating at the time.
Ah, the salad days of youth!
I just had a quick search to see if anyone had flagged there was a new Kate Pierson album out called Radios & Rainbows. I cannot see there is, but saw this from @Mousey so thought I would add as a comment rather than a new thread.
I am a big fan of B-52s & think they are responsible for some remarkable highs in Pop which still sound incredible today. Kates voice is a large part of the charm & her new solo album is really intriguing. Great songs, impeccably produced & it feels like it could be a grower. All good things.
Here is a link – Take Me Back to the Party is my current favourite;
Thanks @seanioio – I’d forgotten all about this post!
Will check out the new album
Thanks Mousey. I am an enormous B52s fan. Those first two albums were the soundtrack of my life when they came out.
And that radio show looks like winner. I look forward to exploring in more detail.
She is now 76 and looks unrecognisable after some awful plastic surgery. What a shame.