The B-52's give a tour of Athens, GA 1989

[@badmonkey2222]

They are very personable and down to earth and a very underated live band, had the pleasure of meeting them twice.

[@lisaparsons4124]

A great group I remember in 1980 when I was 14 😊 great group

[@rbarajas6855]

When MTV was worth watching!

[@Brewzerr]

MTV was never worth watching, but every once in a rare while they’d throw us a bone.

[@Brewzerr]

@TheGooners11 Eh, for you maybe. Not me.

[@Brewzerr]

@TheGooners11 I think you guys had a different format for MTV than we did. Probably much better too, I'm guessing. Over here (in the early days of MTV) it was mostly a lot of bad 'rock' bands like Journey, Asia, Aldo Nova, etc, or a lot of tepid, formulated skinny tie new wave one-hit wonders. Of course there were a few good bands thrown into the mix, like B-52's, Madness, XTC, DEVO, and what have you, but overall it was pretty monotonous. A lot of people here in the states tend to wax nostalgic about the early years of MTV, but I'm looking back at it from a more objective viewpoint. I saw it for what it was... a coup by the music industry to win over youth culture to ensure that they'd have complete control. And, it worked. By the mid to late 80's the only way a band was going to have any success was by having their videos played on heavy rotation on MTV. Most of the truly good and original bands of that time got ignored and swept under the carpet. That's why there were so many big, thriving underground music scenes happening here around that time.

[@Brewzerr]

@TheGooners11 I've always heard that MTV was very different in the UK. It stands to reason, as you guys have always held music to a higher standard ever since the 60's. Here in America it's always been about pandering to the lowest common denominator. Before MTV it was FM radio force-feeding us garbage like the Eagles. MTV just carried that on under a new and different guise. Over here, the 80's were dominated by bad hair metal and bland synth-pop. In the UK there were more relevant things going on, like the Madchester scene, Acid house, and post-punk. You guys have always had it better than us. At least ever since the 60's. In America, if you want to hear the good stuff, you really have to dig for it and put some effort into your search.

[@rickyparrilla2426]

I miss those good mtv days.

[@StephenPaulTroup]

What a gem! A piece of history, like a time capsule buried in KZbin!

[@condor7810]

Interesting time capsule. As a teenager growing up in Los Angeles in the 80's I purchased "Murmur" by REM on vinyl in 1983. Became an instant fan. In summer 1989, I made a "pilgrimage" to Athens, GA while on a road trip across the USA with a friend. We LOVED Athens...such a great town and cool music/arts scene. I remember this pizza parlor we ate at with live a jazz oriented band with a stand up bass. Also, I remember this outdoor party by the river (or a railroad track?) with a proto-grunge band playing live. In another life, I would live in Athens.

[@dudeseriously57]

The B-52s are amazing. I first heard Rock Lobster in 1980. I am from Macon so imagine my shock when I found out that the B52 got their start in Athens. Not exactly a Georgia sound lol. Great band.

[@lisaparsons4124]

The B-52S is a great group I remember in 1980, when I was 14, I never knew they were from Athens,Ga.Thanks, from Morrow Ga.

[@seekah1]

Such a great band, Kate is so glamorous here.

[@briangregory6303]

I still miss Ricky Wilson.

[@picmajik]

I love the B-52s! This makes me miss the days of watching MTV just to keep up to date with favorite music and bands. With KZbin at least I can find videos again!

[@gibbyh65]

im so grateful to have turned 15 in 1980, the 8os were great, miss it so,, hell, even mtv was entertaining,,lol

[@e-care-books9867]

Good call about MTV, wow!

[@ClassicCityMinistry]

im so proud to have been born and raised in this beautiful town of athens,ga!!!!!

[@lisaparsons4124]

Yes and I'm from Morrow Ga ☺️ I didn't know they were from Athens,Ga

[@ClassicCityMinistry]

@@lisaparsons4124 yes mdnrlllllllllllolii 9999oiiii 0

[@steverakes6182]

I was born in Brunswick, and love the B52s.

[@lisaparsons4124]

@@steverakes6182 I'm from Morrow Ga, B-52S is a great group

[@steverakes6182]

@@lisaparsons4124 You can't beat a Georgia peach. 🙂

[@robin212212]

Funny how they say they did what they can with their limited talents, but kate and cindy have two of the best voices in music.

[@bubblezovlove7213]

Yeah I bet a lack of ego can be a benefit if you don't care about that fact...

[@newwavepop]

was my first thought too when he said that "yeah Cindy and Kate had no limitations"

[@ViktorAdriaansens]

he didn't say "limited talent", he said "talents & limitations"

[@lowjamz828]

Love The B 52s. This was back when mtv was about music. Not reality shows like Teen Mom.

[@Brewzerr]

Um, MTV was never really about the music itself. Let’s not get too blinded by nostalgia. MTV’s mission from day one was to hand over all creative control from the bands to the suits in the music industry. Sure, they’d show some really cool bands once in a while in order to draw in viewers, but it was all just a ruse to convince young people that they (MTV’s producers and directors) supposedly knew better than anyone else what was ‘cool’ or going to be ‘the next big thing’. MTV was toxic to musical originality. I’m 50 years old and grew up watching the whole thing unfold in real time. MTV always had an agenda, and that agenda was to make sure something like punk never happened again. Not necessarily punk music, but you know, a situation where the artists/musicians seized full control over their art/music and exposed the industry for being the greedy corporate chicken-hawks that they are, and always have been. And you know what? MTV and the music industry won. They accomplished their mission, and MTV itself was their weapon of mass destruction. No need for them to play actual music videos anymore, because the damage has already been done, and it’s far too late to be reversed.

[@sloburnjo]

@@Brewzerr yet many of these bands signed and got to live out their dreams regardless of contract details some successful others not.

[@carcaridon]

Completely agree 👍 MTV is empty like it's fans. Nowadays is where i speak of.

[@rooflessmofo]

This is pure gold. A fabulous upload, thank you.

[@antonisahajiorgis4775]

You gotta love Kate at 2:18 , her voice is pure gold!

[@WildJack8]

no you dont

[@seanrhodes3927]

They are so laid back...so cool.

[@lyricrogersofficial]

Athens, GA is amazing and so much fun! I love going downtown there. I even own a Bluebird Cafe t-shirt.

[@willthacker5182]

Damn! Kate Pierson was lookin' fine in this clip!

[@ibtaba]

@curragh 42 MTV was also in its prime!

[@MDK2_Radio]

Look for a video of them playing Mesopotamia live in 1990 so around this time. Kate's wearing a seriously hot silver dress in it. And if wikipedia can be trusted, she was 42 at the time.

[@pissrat_8394]

@@MDK2_Radioonly person who was in their prime when they were forty. By God what a fine specimen. Fantastic lady

[@allancesterjr4494]

They are now and will ALWAYS be AWESOME 😎

[@wlouisharris]

What makes these 80's bands and especially Athens bands so great is they were all DIY projects. The B 52's ended up getting some management help in NYC. The B 52's and REM did things their way for the most part if not all of their career. This spirit really lived on in Athens for many years. There used to be live venues everywhere for bands to play. I just don't think the generation in the 20's is as big into going out to see live bands. Who knows, it could swing back and 20 years from now there will be tons of start up bands playing out of garages and parties in Athens.

[@hd-xc2lz]

I've said the same thing many times about health of music scene back then... except... back then top pop groups like Olivia Newton John, Donna Summer, Andy Gibb, etc. ALSO received much studio/record co. input (like today's top pop acts). Likewise, lots of indie bands today making albums with scant input from record co.s... problem is that there aren't as many live venues now (as you said), and too much indie music today is created in studios, and so sounds like pastiche of previous decade's sounds.

[@HGZMO]

Late 90/s early 2000s were a great time for music and Athens

[@hotpottalkblock]

@@HGZMO kzbin.info/www/bejne/h4i7p32jZa55fas

[@carcaridon]

@@HGZMO For everyone really. But 80s were fun though yeah ?

[@HGZMO]

@@carcaridon I was born in 83. So for me I definitely didn’t get to see the 80s bands but I definitely listen to them all playing around and the learning curve and the respect for Athens Georgia Music was built in. We are exposed to the music of the world. And just the love of and importance of music and Athens and the scenes that mixed together with the Uga campus and the dawgs are in the blood

[@timschlie1505]

Saw this when it first aired -thanks for uploading!

[@elfari100]

Glad to see they still liked thrift stores--I gave them the scoop on the best Washington DC stores during their 1979 concert at The Bayou. Does anyone remember that gig?!

[@1lhw875]

Oh man I was living right there in Athens that day somewhere in the background.

[@galenstone9097]

I served in the us army at Fort Gordon and met Kate Pierson right before they hit.

[@mkorcutt]

I was at that Athens, GA 1989 "homecoming" show! It was at the 40 Watt, probably that same night. One of my roommates worked at the Bluebird Cafe, where the vegetarian version of a "meat and three" was only $3.99 and so good!

[@ErikMalkavian]

When MTV used be MTV! Thanks for sharing this +mrald

[@Brewzerr]

MTV has always sucked. Same as it ever was. They just happened to show a few rare, cool clips like this every once in a while.

[@MrRocket6373]

30 years ago! I wasn't even 1 yet. Crazy!

[@johnwhitworth679]

89 UGA. Loved 🥰 the blue bird cafe

[@emirvmendoza]

No one: Absolutely no one: Fred Schneider: (calls Dunkin' Donuts) *Du-Do's*

[@LukasSheshene1]

that is not how you say "Dunkin' Donuts"

[@bzert281]

Duddoes.... LOL. That's my new name for it. Thankya Fred

[@ChelseaSW6]

I absolutely love The B52,s play their music still 40 years on sounds better than anything today always makes me want to dance great memories never forget them I was fortunate enough to see them play live at The Electric Ballroom in Camden Town London England in 1979 I was almost 16 at the time I got in I looked older than I was but I loved that first album so much I just had to see them so I see they were playing in NME and I went with a friend I stood right at the front right in line with Kate on the Keyboards, I’m pretty sure it was The Trogs that was the supporting group, what a night followed them ever since Every album of theirs is just a little gem and those lyrics ( a pea popped out of your nose ) you can’t beat it The weird thing is when they went mainstream which I’m sure was never the intention Love Shack is probably my least favourite track it’s still good everyone’s karaoke choice of song I still play it though Rock Lobster still sounds incredible today that guitar rift from broken strings too amazing, 60 60 842 wow Planet Claire what a tune There’s a Moon in the sky with that bit after lol it’s called the moon classic and 52 Girls love it Dance this Mess Around,Then on to Wild Planet what a follow up those sleeve covers yellow then red brilliant Private Idaho incredible track seriously just a belter and love the video Cindy wow enchanting 53 miles west of Venus Devil in my car which I’m pretty sure was an original B side for Rock Lobster i used to have a white label bootleg of it, so many incredible record shops around back then in London, sadly it’s no more life has changed and not for the better I could go on every album is just so dreamy such a unique band, so original in sound lyrics their look camp music at its best Fred s vocals incredible such a character Kate and Cindy s vocals perfect pitch perfect harmony, people still talk to this day about the harmonies of the ABBA girls and yet Kate and Cindy are better both beautiful girls mesmerising,Keith just a brilliant musician drums guitar also too Ricky can’t forget him RIP Ricky Wilson I feel blessed to have grown up through out my time with the B52s and they are still going strong today I hope one day to visit Athens Georgia why not my son was there recently through his work from The UK lucky boy he said it’s a lovely place

[@MsNovemberry]

My man Keith blowing bubbles!!!

[@brockp59]

UGA 77-81 here. The torn down house Fred called the Zoo was my first time seeing REM in 80 or 81. They played in a back bedroom and I thought they were awful. Chronictown EP changed my mind, as did seeing them in early 83 in Atlanta at the 688 club.

[@Sinastyr]

When I was a kid I always thought Fred was a big ladies man because of his lady cosingers. Me were dumb kid.

[@Trainy2]

Fred is a ladies man.

[@phototristan]

Kate is certainly a ladies woman

[@JohnnyBallgame88]

Awesome! my hometown and I was 10 back then

[@thiscorrosion900]

Kate can take me to Planet Claire anytime....

[@juiceboxgrl]

Yooo this is so cool to watch, I live in GA and have friends attending UGA and have been yi downtown athens

[@athlindsey85]

Athens, GA apparently used to be great. It became a pretentious college town. When I chose to go to UGA, I was a little disappointed that it was no longer that town, that is used to be. Those cool kids are now getting up in age, and that generation is now becoming a part of history.

[@gabeshedd]

There are still pockets of awesomeness ... you just have to avoid the fuck out of downtown.

[@aredman22]

Jeez! Y'all sound like a bunch of cranky townies

[@wlouisharris]

I was in Athens from 90-95 and had a ton of friends there all through the 90's. It was a pretty magical place. The music scene was really thriving all through the 90's and you had labels like Kindercore, some great record stores, great music clubs, and tons of great parties. My sister still lives there and likes it but it has given me a chance to really watch it change. I think it really started to change around 2006. A lot of gen-x/townies started to leave and go places like Austin and Portland; then a lot of development started occur. I'm sure you can find some old townies around at the Manhattan or hanging out in a coffee shop that can tell you some great stories from the 80's and 90's.

[@benharris8078]

athens became pretentious as fuck

[@moxyangel]

Dude, EVERY town has become a pretentious college town. I feel like it gets worse every year. This is coming from a millenial who has no problem criticizing their own generation :)

[@Anyone553]

I have all their albums!!!! Love them❤

[@lissenbundell527]

Kate Pierson I love you baby.

[@bellesogne]

Came here for the B-52's. Did not expect to hear a reference to Lorenzo Jovenotti. So random.

[@giuseppangelopecoracotta4370]

Jovanotti.

[@e-care-books9867]

the cool music scene of the late 80s.

[@GraniteXray37]

I always wished to see REM, B-52's and Drivin and Cryin at the 40 Watt the same night.

[@carcaridon]

How's Kate's Planet Claire harmony ? Song still goes through my head. When I hear 60s spooky whistling or ufo type sound effects and costume these 2 ladies are the forefront of where my mind goes. Such innocent times. Love these guys and gal's.

[@mayfieldgage]

I’m from GA so it blows my mind that them and REM are from GA

[@Zermelo]

Whoever Kate divorced lost out big time!

[@BlueEyes-gp8lg]

Well...she "switched teams"

[@cp-mo4lc]

That was awesome!

[@AlexanderNevermind888]

Love their memories. Correction: Abby was the Black version of The Exorcist. And he's right, it was an amazing movie. I saw it when I was about 9 back in 1994. We would get into R-rated movies by piggybacking behind grown-ups. It stayed at the theater for quite some time and was one of the most attended of all the Blaxploitation movies. It made a ton of money, considering the budget. It ended up being taken out of theaters based on what was seen as copyright violations to The Exorcist. It's basically non-existent on any streaming service, but I think you can find it on DVD on Amazon at an amazingly high price. I find it incredible that Fred Schneider is even aware of this movie, which makes me an even bigger fan of the B-52s. To this day, it's still one of the scariest movies I've ever seen.

[@gerrynightingale9045]

*Yeah...I remember the thematic music from "One Step Beyond" and "Thriller" and so did the 52's*

[@LuisAlvarez-kb1qh]

09/08/2022 disfrutando de esta excelente banda 😵☻️🕺🏽

[@arricammarques1955]

''Blowing chunks over Kurt Loader'' Mike Myers

[@maxpayne2574]

One of the oldies TV channels should have a show with Music Videos from the 70s 80s

[@stephenoverdahl548]

this is AWESOME!!!

[@j.j.murphy132]

I heart Kate Pierson.

[@abathens]

2:32 that's gotta be the house across the street from the original Taco Stand

[@ugadawgs1990]

It was torn down to make a parking lot for the flower shop, but that’s exactly where it was.

[@e-care-books9867]

No mention of Normaltown ? !!! For the real tour of Athens, listen to the song " Deadbeats club" which was released ( I think) just a short while after this video.

[@chriseckenroth6922]

They showed Allens

[@joseperalta6235]

Of Montreal is also from Athens.

[@bunkyspunkmeyer]

Imagine that sign language bit coming out today & ppl being outraged at its insensitivities lol

[@victorkreitner754]

Who would divorce a sweetheart like Kate, not me!

[@KB4QAA]

Well, something to do with being a lesbian. You can't compete with that.

[@barrypfost2963]

Cool stuff!

[@shuvcat]

You're cute, Fred. :)

[@golderjames]

Fucking brilliant.

[@eaglesfandgb]

Dang Kate Pierson was a real babe!

[@fraink7]

what happened to MTv?

[@newwavepop]

people tell me i am wrong every time i say this, but music stopped being very good after the late 80s and bands stopped being very interesting "others would argue after the 90s but i disagree" and thus MTV could no longer survive from just playing new music videos. and they turned into more of some sort of cheesy reality show channel.

[@dennis2966]

I'm not being facetious here, Athens was great in many ways, it even had a great strip club. The dancers were friendly and approachable...just like the rest of Athens.

[@dynjarren7523]

Only the REMs and the B52s made any national charts or impact from Athens bands. I always liked college towns because they have plenty of cool younger people around! And usually a good music scene!

[@seriousbismuth2173]

......widespread panic??🤨

[@dezertfox3130]

Kate is totally gorgeous here.

[@togue777]

B 52’s are the B movie of rock and Kate is music’s answer to Lilly Munster.

[@slide4180]

Dang, Kate was a muffin back then!

[@seekah1]

A little bundle of fun

[@tonykeggin8906]

@@seekah1 Cosmic!

[@bunkyspunkmeyer]

MTV used to be awesome

[@JBmusicart]

Athens, where the musicians wash dishes to play music for free.

[@ST-xg3gy]

Where is the drummer?

[@oscongregantes2361]

Buffon????

[@acidmickey8092]

Even I live in athens

[@tonynegron1927]

🔊 I ♡ the 80's & the B-52's! 📺 (Class of '83) Stay safe everybody! Vote! 🔵 This nightmare is still giving. 227,667+ in deaths. ⚰⚰⚰⚰⚰⚰⚰⚰⚰⚰⚰⚰⚰⚰ 😷 (As of October 29th,2020) 🎃🕷🕸💀

[@OsoMarcol]

Kate was so bloody hot

[@thadonis.]

1:55 lol

[@sticksman1979]

I got me a car as big as a whale!

[@shanefrancis8947]

let's do a tour of Athens and not really show anything, or give anyone a chance to actually see anything...

[@lawsongroszmann7628]

Cheap rent. Not in today's bullshit.

[@georgewashington8184]

sucks. CIA

[@ColtraneTaylor]

This band seems to have perfectly one-dimensional, superficial American personalities. People like this 'in real life' seem to not go deeper than shops and dunkin donuts.

[@ColtraneTaylor]

@burtonrules123Fun and superficial.

[@rjwusher]

Oh, come on. 4 minutes of a clip edited and broadcast by MTV is enough for you to judge people you do not know personally? Many things could refute your statement. B52s were always musically original and inclusive, they went through a lot of adversity (death of guitarist Ricky Wilson, trouble with record label) and if you dig into longer interviews at least in my opinion they seem very warm, modest and intelligent people. Just an example this interview with Keith Strickland about bullying: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4rRpIyojtaMe6M&ab_channel=dcagendatv

[@ColtraneTaylor]

This is the dumbest comment ever. If you don't like parties you are superficial he says. "You must be fun at parties huh.. if you think b52s are superficial "

[@KB4QAA]

How unusual. Everyone knows pop musicians are noted for their academic achievements and deep philosophical thinking. Right.

[@ColtraneTaylor]

@@KB4QAA There are quite a lot of pop musicians who do think deep. But I never suggested they should, it's just your silly exaggeration and inability to make a genuine point that went that route.