United States, Georgia, Clarke County, Athens, 33.96095, -83.37794Gordon, Stephanie L.2003-09-17Encyclopedia article about the Athens, Georgia-based band the B-52s. Quirky, lively, and original, the B-52's formed in the late 1970s, and they remain one of Athens's best-known bands. Named for the bomb-shaped bouffant hairdos of the two female band members, the group debuted at a Valentine's Day party in Athens in 1977 and before long were performing in New York City, where they attained a cultlike status. Initially the members of the group--Kate Pierson, Fred Schneider, Keith Strickland, Cindy Wilson, and Ricky Wilson--had little or no musical experience, but their campy stage image, walkie talkies, exaggerated wigs, go-go boots, and thrift shop clothing, along with such oddly engaging songs as "Private Idaho" and "Planet Claire," made them the talk of the postpunk scene. After gaining a following in New York and signing a record deal with Warner Brothers, the B-52's moved to the city. Their first album, The B-52's (1979), sold more than 500,000 copies, mostly on the strength of their dance party classics "Rock Lobster" and "52 Girls."text/htmlengSystem requirements: Quicktime plug-in required for audio and video clips.Forms part of the New Georgia Encyclopedia.http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/System requirements: Quicktime plug-in required for audio and video clips.Forms part of the New Georgia Encyclopedia.B-52's (Musical group)Musicians--Georgia--AthensBands (Music)--Georgia--AthensRock groups--Georgia--AthensRock musicians--Georgia--AthensWomen musicians--Georgia--AthensSingers--Georgia--AthensWomen singers--Georgia--AthensEntertainers--Georgia--AthensWomen entertainers--Georgia--AthensWilson, Cindy, 1957-Schneider, Fred, 1951-Pierson, KateStrickland, Keith, 1953-Wilson, Ricky, 1953-1985The B-52'sText