The B-52's Channel Z live - New York 1990

[@roberty.9569]

The criminally underrated B-side to "Love Shack" ... excellent stuff

[@badmonkey2222]

Cosmic thing is a masterpiece

[@SirHatchporch]

It was actually the first single from "Cosmic Thing" before it was the B-side to "Love Shack." I remember a TV segment on E! before the album came out that centered around the song and video. But yes, criminally underrated.

[@abathens]

@@badmonkey2222 Yes it is. Best good time album ever.

[@RossFelling]

I had no idea.

[@dartheejit6797]

Best song on Cosmic Thing.

[@TonysMusic1974]

I was a hair metal guy at this time . . . .however I LOVED the entire Cosmic Thing album. Still listen to it all the time

[@OutOnTheTiles]

Me too. I’m a big Zeppelin and Maiden fan but I have a weakness for these guys. Loved them throughout the 80’s….but secretly lol.

[@badmonkey2222]

Same I was a budding teenage musician in the 80s was in the metal mostly but I had a very open mind there was a lot of other stuff I was into the B-52's being one of them and this is a prime example why just an outstanding live band.

[@BillFurlong]

Miss Sara Lee on bass.. the mistress of the low end, crushing it on her Musicman bass.

[@cb3648]

This is so great, Chanel Z is a criminally underrated song. The newer members of the band are on point and hearing Kate and Cindy harmonize is just the best.

[@B52sguy]

I saw this SNL, and I have to tell you, This is why KZbin was invented!!!!!!! This is just so priceless. I hope you have been able to make many, many copies of this. Thank you so much for posting this. Joseph F

[@levonpoe]

This is Soo cool. Obviously the rehearsal for their appearance on SNL. the ladies still have curlers in their hair. Nothing stopped these lovelies from giving it their all. This song was a game changer for me. The drummer took over guitar duties and brought the band a new audience

[@badmonkey2222]

The curlers were part of their get up, and Keith switched to guitar and 86 when Ricky died but he still played other instruments and drums in the studio.

[@Dackycat]

I saw this SNL show live and they just blew me away. Kate and Cindy still rock my world! I loved Ricky Wilson's guitar playing, but Keith really took their sound to a new place, masterfully restrained funk. Add to it the killer rhythm section of the awesome Sara Lee on bass and Zach Alford on drums, and you get what is still my favorite SNL musical moment.

[@troygott9569]

Your so lucky Dacky...I wish I could have seen this...ya...I remember I was into metal at this time and was blown away by Keith riding those riffs and loving it...even my drummer was like....wow....

[@TheBronxBunnyMan]

I discovered that performance on one of my dad's old VHS tapes when he put it on right before he left for work. I fell in love with this song instantly.

[@TurkPowers]

I saw this live on TV as well. Loved it. However that is Keith Stricker on the guitar. Ricky passed away in 85.

[@GrkFlyersFan]

Well, since you mentioned everyone but him, Pat Irwin on guitar/keyboard too

[@levonpoe]

This song was an announcement to the world: The B-52s are back and we coming HARD!

[@rubedogg6969]

The B 52’s were at the height of their popularity here. They dominated MTV. RIP Ricky Wilson, he was there in spirit!

[@SiempreSpanish]

i absolutely love this! Fred wearing jeans. The girls with curlers in their hand. Even though its rehearsal, they are so into it and sound great. True professionals.

[@mrpeel3239]

A sound, a force and a way of life forever!

[@j2n]

God, the bassist and drummer are really getting into it!

[@levonpoe]

Zach Alford on Drums. Sara Lee in bass. 2 of the best musicians around

[@mrpeel3239]

And this is only the rehearsal!

[@ra91342]

This group always makes me HAPPY with their cosmic songs!

[@aetechllc]

Man! What a demonstration of a real band should be like "live". If I had been there I would have felt like it was worth the long wait in line to see such a live performance.

[@badmonkey2222]

People didn't realize really how good the B-52s were or are, the song of the prime example of that.

[@mrpeel3239]

Wow...raw talent and sound. Brilliant!

[@mu-soguy]

Just noticed that Kate's synth still has the tape over the Roland logo on the back - turning it into "ola" which means hello in Portuguese - from way back in '85 when they played Rock In Rio, their last show with Ricky...

[@OutOnTheTiles]

So cool!

[@09weenic]

Terrific live performance. I wish I had seen them play live at around that time

[@skeleman1963]

Saw these guys at the Aragon Brawlroom back in 1981.....awesome first show!!!

[@idlearning5397]

They ROCKED this one live during the actual rebroadcast 1990 show last week. Difficult arrangement...but better than Love Shack IMHO

[@theindiandoctor4520]

That is Sarah Lee playing bass BTW...

[@nursebridgie]

She’s so bombbbbb

[@marietta85]

WOW! Never get tired of seeing or hearing these guys. Classic American Party Rock.

[@arthurbennett5733]

Perfection. Nothing more. And no less.

[@perkjc01]

Great posts! Thanks for the invite. I can see you like the esoteric, fun B's songs. That's great! I've always said they weren't given enough credit for the great band and talents they were and are. They cover all emotional ranges with their songs!

[@rudygracia5573]

The remember the actual SNL performance,it was Awesome!They did THIS song and Cosmic thing?Great bassist and drummer.Pretty Red Head(Kate).

[@vanrose9857]

I watched the episode of SNL they were rehearsing for. It has always been a memorable one. The first time I’d ever heard the B-52s.

[@gasaholic47]

I'm thinking this was the rehearsal. It's also using the actual camera monitor footage. Very cool. Don't usually see versions like this.

[@chets808]

there's gold in them that youtube archives ! ! ! this is a really rocking version of Channel Z, think the B-52s were just a kitschy surf rock band, check out the groove after 4:17 that's sick Keith

[@magalirobinson9355]

Go Love!

[@supertrix6628]

one of my favorite all time songs, it just has so many things going sounds, rythm lyrics highs and lows, a song that just moves anyone listening due to its many pitch variations thru out

[@badmonkey2222]

It's songs like this that let you know just how good they were/are, and damn Kate was looking good!

[@_Peremalfait]

Love the curlers.

[@spursgog835]

Wow!

[@seanasnow8]

In love right now, never thought to look up music I desire so much live. yeeaaaa

[@byamrcn]

This is an extraordinary piece of video--where the heck did you get it? The broadcast performance of this, I thought it was and still is the best #2 song in the history of SNL. Blew me away. Amazing how crude the camerawork is here, knowing how the live version was shot so expertly just a few hours later. Amazed that this footage even exists. (Do you have the full run on all five cameras? Would love to see it all merged like the "Shiny Happy People" posting.) Thank you VERY much for posting it.

[@peterderidder9922]

one of there best songs and they have a lot of amazingly good songs . This is one of the best bands of the 80 ties. They didnt getted the attention they deserved !! There so SO UNIQUE !!

[@ComixMultiplication]

This is brilliant. Wish someone could post the live performance!!

[@badmonkey2222]

This is live what are you talkin about,

[@ComixMultiplication]

@@badmonkey2222 the actual performance from the live show, this is rehearsal

[@badmonkey2222]

@@ComixMultiplication I know that that they're still playing live is what I mean, and I got it you're talkin about playing for the audience this is a tape rehersal.

[@rdsquid]

actually, that's Zach Alford on drums. Charley worked with us a bunch back then sitting in on guitar. amazing to see this after all these years.

[@badmonkey2222]

Zach got around played with bunch of different bands

[@djpollux]

This is real "live". Some pop stars should learn how to do it.

[@Hellwyck]

Pop nowadays is not about music, it's about marketing a film or a cologne or a book but definitely not music.

[@badmonkey2222]

Exactly!!

[@Nemova]

This is precious. Thank you so much for uploading it.

[@mrpzak]

My fav b52s track. One of my fav of the 80s new wave. Shows they’re more than just pop hits.

[@mauricepeck7147]

My Favorite song by them.

[@skeleman1963]

she even looks good with rollers in her hair....

[@Nathaniel_Medium]

They're incredible

[@regbale]

Fabulous.

[@alyssalane2912]

Saw them for $6 in del mar!! Awesome band

[@sparrowhawk72]

I remember seeing this SNL and recorded it on VHS back then! I love the curlers the girls are wearing! I want to marry Keith!!

[@badmonkey2222]

He's gay so I hope you have some special powers hahaha

[@PMilopez]

Ahh yeahh that is my favorite!!!

[@amfanmagician]

Nice! Thanks for this!

[@mrpeel3239]

So pure and alive!

[@stretchmonster2]

Yes it was....they also rehearsed for "Cosmic Thing."

[@Buc_Stops_Here]

Wow, a really good practice session for everyone here. You see Sara Lee on bass behind them getting into the song. The first single from Cosmic Thing, did very poorly on Billboard scaring them - then the college radio stations picked it up after this performance on SNL and it did okay. Of course Love Shack and Roam made the album a huge hit for them following this single. At least that is what I remember - might be wrong.

[@stretchmonster2]

Thanks....and yeah, I have "a few" backups.

[@tomitstube]

somebody fixated on kate. bop bop boom boom bop.

[@NornSanctuaryW31TK421]

That was so TIGHT!

[@stretchmonster2]

You are right...my mistake....that is Zachary Alford.

[@MrTaurus48228]

My favorite song and bassist is jamin

[@franciscoforte8345]

Almost ten years to the date of they first performance of Rock Lobster and dance this mess around .

[@badmonkey2222]

"52 girls " was the B side to "Rock Lobster" single was rekeased in 78

[@SirHatchporch]

Definitely a dress rehearsal. You can really tell because Fred is "marking" his vocal (not fully singing out). Very cool find.

[@jackhillty1]

at that particular moment kate pierson was the most perfect woman on earth

[@eyeheartsushi2212]

She was. Hard to top Kate Pierson in her early 40s.

[@badmonkey2222]

Dude you got that right

[@jimmymoss3240]

TAKE IT, FRED!

[@ziggy12657]

Live performances on SNL sure sound different than the actual performances of any song.

[@ikshields]

Live performances ARE the ACTUAL! Never forget. ✊🏻

[@infophotoized9208]

they look like the charlie brown gang dancing on that stage

[@stretchmonster2]

@byamrcn Thanks, ..sorry, but I don't have that version, if there even is one.

[@bacchuslax7967]

Cindys camp. For 40 years now.

[@mrpeel3239]

New Wave FOREVER!

[@ComixMultiplication]

Can you find the actual live show performance??

[@matteowatteo1296]

You could put Kate and Cindy in curlers, cold creme on their faces, robes and fuzzy slippers ....... still hot.

[@ThirdRail7]

This mirrors the Earth Day 1990 performance on Saturday Night Live. Is this what they were rehearsing for?

[@peterbaxter5651]

This wasn’t live. It was a rehearsal b4 the big gig

[@mtvillageva]

Not a fan of B52's or the genre, but this performance was outstanding! Bravo

[@71ramonix]

No! That is Zachary Alford

[@stretchmonster2]

@jnadle1 Yeah, that was him.

[@Gringo_In_Chile]

Check out this SNL shows upcoming airing promo with Alec Baldwin hosting at kzbin.info/www/bejne/emjFk4CtZch7fLM

[@txsraappraiser]

Top 10 snl easy

[@johndyson4109]

Great vocal arrangements.. The guitar part really makes me want to move my body...groovin big time! What a poor response from the crowd... Well it was 1990 Glam Rock was still King but holding on by a thread..

[@jnadle1]

Who was on drums? That looked a lot like Charley Drayton. I could be wrong.

[@badmonkey2222]

Zach Alford

[@jnadle1]

@@badmonkey2222 Well, he did play on camera when with The B-52's although Charley played on the original studio versions of Love Shack and Channel Z. Zach was shown.

[@badmonkey2222]

@@jnadle1 yeah i know

[@phillipstankey8881]

Sara Lee on bass...so...agile

[@stretchmonster2]

No, I don't.

[@discosucks99]

B52s in Hall!