The B-52's - Private Idaho - 11/7/1980 - Capitol Theatre (Official)

The B-52's - Private Idaho
Recorded Live: 11/7/1980 - Capitol Theatre - Passaic, NJ
More The B-52's at Music Vault: www.musicvault.com
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Personnel:
Fred Schneider - vocals, keyboards, glockenspiel, various toys
Cindy Wilson - vocals, percussion
Ricky Wilson - guitar
Kate Pierson - vocals, keyboards, bass
Keith Strickland - drums
Summary:
This is a terrific document of the group shortly after the 2nd album release. They play the 2nd album in it's entirety as well as most of the first album. It's b&w, but well lit, good audio and every second of it is here. The original lineup (they look so young!) bursting with creativity on their first tour as headliners.

[@SaschaPallenberg]

Can we please all agree that the B52's were one of the most creative bands in rock history?

[@RickNelsonMn]

Yes, we can. 🤘🏻🎧🎤🥁🎸😁

[@101alexs]

Yep, thirded that motion. Now we a agree, can we get them a trophy or something?

[@BReal-10EC]

Yes.. mixing rockabilly, surf rock, punk, and new wave aspects together was very original. I do love me some B-52s. I was a teen in the 80s and remember the B-52s felt.. retro, but in an original way.

[@jimmyromano249]

Up there with Devo and Wall of Voodoo. Very unique, original sound.

[@davegould4940]

Best thing that's ever happened in America, maybe the entire planet

[@adamperry2985]

Ricky Wilson is seriously underrated. Dude was creative as hell and pushed the envelope of his instrument..RIP

[@mikenelson2539]

Deconstructed and reimagined an open F chord 🤘

[@101Volts]

@@mikenelson2539 No, that Danelectro Pro is tuned to xEBxBB (I read his guitar tech's notebooks.) But the album version is EBDxBB on a Danelectro-built Silvertone 1448.

[@MichaelNadilski-it9ts]

He was like Luther Perkins Lotta damage with 3 strings and five frets...for a novice he was fipping amazing .

[@101Volts]

@@MichaelNadilski-it9ts I have some feeling that Ricky held himself back in the B-52s releases to make room for the vocals. It's been said that he knew how to play finger-picking after learning from a PBS show, but he *never* played like Merle Travis in The B-52s.

[@Mr316niles]

For real, he is very underrated. RIP Ricky Wilson

[@albiceleste101]

Cindy is INCREDIBLE

[@mikeg6606]

If I had a time machine B-52's early gigs would be right up there on my list.

[@hugopillado7569]

Si

[@Mikdeelow]

can I buy a ticket?!

[@kdsfu2]

I don’t care if they all turned 100 years old I’d still go see them ✊🏼

[@theindiandoctor4520]

Keith Strickland on drums! That guy does it all!

[@Brannington]

such a stearn sense of backbeat!

[@BethanyWooton]

Not a bad guitar player either

[@michiganfireman]

I saw the B-52s and the Violent Femmes together years ago. Best concert of my life.

[@MusicalSavior23]

That sounds awesome. Go Lions!

[@richardellis1138]

Ricky Wilson played his six string guitar without the middle two,so he could play lead and bass on a single neck. That's genius and why it's his own unique sound.

[@KeyofDavid5778]

Fun facts.....he tuned his guitar to different sounds and pitches than anyone else!

[@abc-bu7nr]

Pretty sure the bass was coming from Kate

[@cmacgreg]

@@abc-bu7nr yeah, kate on the keys, and keith's immaculate drumming fill in for most of the bass, but it is all in support of ricky's guitar work. i bought a cheap squier guitar during the pandemic and it is mostly collecting dust, this is pretty much the only thing i can play heh

[@ElSantoLuchador]

If you leave out the fact that that's the way the blues guys did it then sure.

[@101Volts]

I'm not sure where the "bass and lead at once" myth comes from. It's not quite accurate, -but it's kind of a mix of what he did.- He did have his own style, but not because of how the rumor goes. (1) Ricky did sometimes play 2 parts simultaneously that sounded distinct enough from each other that one can imagine they're 2 different guitars. "Lava" is the best example, but it's one guitar - go see the 1980 footage of them playing "Lava" at the Capital Theatre, and that proves it. (2) Ricky had one of his guitars set up in CFxxFF. That had 2 thick Guitar Strings, and 2 G Strings (.058, .056, empty, .empty, .018p, .018p.) He still didn't play bass parts on it, though - Kate was playing Bass on the keyboard. (3) Ricky didn't mod the electronics of his guitars to have separate pickups or circuits that would read the "bass" and "lead" parts separately. This would have the "bass" parts sounding like the tone control is down low and muffled, like bassists often do. Again, Kate played the bass parts on a keyboard. (4) Ricky used unusual tunings, thick strings on all of his guitars (usually a set of 13s on the bottom, and .018p on the top, but not always.) Often enough early on, he would use some uncommonly seen guitar models. Usually a Mosrite model, but he did also use an Epiphone Wilshire and a Silvertone 1448 (a Sears Catalog guitar built by Danelectro) just for the recording of "Private Idaho." He did use Fenders later on from 1982 - 1985, but he's mostly known to have played Mosrite models early on. Lastly, here are the 8 guitar tabs I wrote for about half the early catalog, so you know I'm not kidding: *First Album:* Track 3 - Dance This Mess Around - tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/the-b-52s/dance-this-mess-around-tabs-2337143 4 - Rock Lobster - tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/the-b-52s/rock-lobster-tabs-2321243 6 - There's A Moon in the Sky (Called the Moon) - tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/the-b-52s/theres-a-moon-in-the-sky-called-the-moon-tabs-2368419 8 - 6060-842 - tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/the-b-52s/6060-842-tabs-2327763 9 - Downtown - tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/the-b-52s/downtown-tabs-2428857 *Second Album, Wild Planet:* Track 5 - Private Idaho - tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/the-b-52s/private-idaho-tabs-848343 7 - Quiche Lorraine (though I didn't tab the "screechy guitar" part late in the song) - tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/the-b-52s/quiche-lorraine-tabs-2427755 9 - 53 Miles West of Venus - tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/the-b-52s/53-miles-west-of-venus-tabs-2360071

[@riobabic8960]

Most innovative and original pop band in history !

[@bouledeberlin8741]

Of all legendary concerts, this is probably the one I would have been part of most.

[@Fatso65]

Awesome night & band opened my mind up to live music 👍👍👍

[@joekennedy1950]

Cindy's vocals at 3:01, really showcase her style. She is so under appreciated.

[@joseantoniolarrea7152]

Such an amazing guitarist

[@hamishmcdonald7275]

40 years later. Fucked my mind. Success. Love every song. Still the best.

[@coath514]

Holy shit 40 years later this song still wails man. Love watching everyone dancing and having a great time

[@MobiusBandwidth]

a completely perfect pop tune. so much brilliance, probably the best B's song.

[@yoonheen8315]

no, not their best

[@cmmtac]

Their very best song by far - to me. And they have many great songs. Fantastic band with a unique sound

[@edgardmarianorojasgarayofi7445]

That ain't pop. That's psycodelic rock

[@newwavepop]

Cindy was like a Siren to me, i will follow her voice anywhere and i thrill to be memorized by her dancing.

[@iinglis89]

Jesus the drums in this sound incredible

[@Szaam]

I can't think of another band who seem so together on the same page as The B-52s. Such a creative force.

[@joannbrezna8879]

So glad I spent so much of my youth at the Capitol Theatre.

[@michaellewis8212]

The guitar playing is genius. 4 stringed and retuned. What a sound.

[@SHx589]

These guys are fun. Hope they make it.

[@UncleGhoulieTv313]

This is one of the greatest videos on KZbin in its entirety

[@VernonRhem]

Yes, they dont make music like that anymore best group ever

[@BCTGuitarPlayer]

One of the 70s-80s greatest innovators. Comedy Go-Go rock, rolled into brilliant hard driving party music. Geniuses, every one of them.

[@BBRocker75]

Give me a break! You were sooooooooooooooooooooooooo ahead your time! Your music is legend now and it will live forever. 💯💖🤟😉

[@gersonbruhns4949]

Essa banda era demais... Só sons contagiantes. 80's eram o máximo! 😎😜💪

[@setasan]

Banda foda pra caraleo

[@troutmask6800]

I saw them in the 80’s and the 90’s and they were very entertaining

[@USERyoutube.72580]

Stunning Cindy

[@randyroberts2301]

Man, the more I hear this, the more I enjoy it. The whole band harmony, n originality

[@fantomas3066]

C'est excellent, Ricky Wilson à ce jeu et son à la guitare.. J'adore ce groupe.

[@cliffbrown1798]

Moi aussii. Ce groupe est extraordinaire.

[@nopisful]

A gathering of the coolest individuals on earth

[@dantefrias]

Fantastic band!!! A bomb on stage period!

[@dcxxx6850]

So good … amazing sounds from another small group from GA.

[@joelashadali]

Not enough words for what a classic this is................

[@yankeedolphin6286]

Kate is cool as fuk but Cindy has that crazy passion in her voice that just grips you

[@bannedtalks2030]

Genius ahead of their time

[@pameladecicco6509]

When I first was turned onto these, I was like fuck off...let me tell you..nothing like a live 52's concert. Soooo underrated. That said, I am 60.

[@pinanti]

I saw them live in 1989 in Brussels : I will never forget that : people went CRAZY. I am also 60. Liked them since I was 18.

[@ronysequengarcia7395]

Wow amazing song i didnt know what they say but now.i saw the lyrics and know it . Good . Blessings.

[@Cherrytea558]

Wicked performance. Thanks for the upload :)

[@walrus4248]

Everything about this is perfect, even the hand gestures.

[@flacogerman2001]

Los vi en montevideo Uruguay. Me partieron la cabeza. Gran show y muy divertido.

[@louisegale5014]

Best band to emmerge from America...original and gals so classy.

[@roudenstorres2195]

Happy birthday 40 years of success. It's impossible to stand still.

[@thedolphin5224]

Thank you so much for posting these gems!! Ive had the bliss of meeting Fred and Kate...so freaking awesum!!!!

[@marcostesta6541]

Cindy is really outstanding...

[@napadrummer1143]

Thanks for posting this classic footage! They look so young!

[@zurk606]

Along with Devo, the B-52'S were ahead of their time in the early 1980s. What a band! 😁👍

[@nncoco]

Both high energy new-wave punk bands cutting their own paths. Devo was my first show. I saw B52s around the time of Wild Planet and was more stoked by Devo at the time.

[@zurk606]

tracy smith, this Is awesome! Great gigs to have attended to. 😁👍

[@sparky6086]

& the mid to late '70's!

[@lippser]

Drums sound great on this live version.

[@iinglis89]

Really fuckin do

[@partytempo]

They have a great compressor sound to them. Love it.

[@jarvic7]

Agreed

[@cowsongs]

You know, when these songs came out, we loved them but I remember viewing the B52's as a sort of joke. But holy cow, they were one tight, driving, talented, good-playing band. Maybe that's why the "joke" was so funny - because they were so talented playing great songs.

[@spider_hoss]

The black and white video and the dim lighting coupled with the great sound give this video a weird vibe - in a good way.

[@ProfRage]

They are SO awesome.

[@whiteeagle111]

One of my favorite bands ever ! I started watching this "B52's" concert video from 1980, and realized that I was @ that concert in the front row wearing a white tee shirt, I had long curly dark hair at the time. I am briefly filmed dancing to their great song "Private Idaho" @ the 49 sec mark.

[@deloreandmc4611]

Paul Greco Sure was a wonderful time to be alive! I just discovered B52s and their music is amazing.

[@derekatkinson4674]

Right at 1:27 to 1:33 you feel that undeniable energy!

[@oldcomix5396]

my second favorite in this series... awesome!

[@broesph]

unbelievably awesome!!!

[@sgt.martinez4886]

Ricky Wilson Rocked .

[@whistlepig75]

No words to describe how bad ass this song is

[@GMan958]

Used to think that Rock Lobster was their best song...changed my mind this is IT...powerful music.

[@thenavajoknow]

Honestly can't make up my mind. Rock Lobster, 52 Girls, Private Idaho, let's face it the first two records are perfect from beginning to end.

[@garyrasberryjr.552]

@@thenavajoknow Cindy on "Give Me Back My Man" is amazing at this show

[@frostynuts4944]

Yes. Definitely! Love them

[@tonyt1786]

That’s a lot of creativity it seems off the cuff but that’s a lot of hard work and... joy

[@0verload]

Amazing performance. Sounds even better than the studio version which is also very good!

[@wilsonlucilio6023]

Meu Deus!!! Como eu era feliz,adoro essa banda e assim que lançaram este album, corri e comprei o meu, o qual esta entre meus principais discos de vinil. Não entendo as afirmativas de que a música eletrônica surgiu na europa. The B52s já fazia isso muito antes.

[@michaelmayer6898]

Pure Energy, madness and bliss!

[@Chilopoda81]

Listen to Cindy sing at the end- ridiculous!

[@katmanjenks1961]

Cindy!!!

[@broesph]

i love you!!!

[@danmurphy3000]

Awesome.

[@dinorivera6406]

Beautiful...

[@kevinmcdonald8016]

I Agree, just Wonderful

[@ivanfavarin6044]

They were arts performers, beyond a sheer band. Having a speaker/jester and the singers in a call-and-response fashion has more to do with drama than with pop music. Someone reckons that John Lennon liked B-52’s innovative approach much.

[@marlonballesteros3531]

Even my 9yrs old son like very much the song...B52s

[@estapaginafuecancelada1747]

2019⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Escuchó esto y pienso 🤔🤔🤔 En esos momentos Y puedo verme en un lugarcito Cerca de la Cineteca Nacional No recuerdo el nombre Fue una sorpresa en mi cumpleaños Tocaban buen Rock 👍 Todos los amigos reunidos era la única chavita yo 19 y ellos ya rucos ja jaja 27 y 30 años Y me alegra bastante Haber vivido y disfrutado Tantos y tantos momentos Hermosos porque forman Parte fundamental de mi escencia Y de todo lo que soy ahora Mis hermanos me dicen Tú si que te la gozaste y aún lo hago Claro no con la frecuencia ni con las mismas personas porque algunas yo se nos adelantaron 💫🙏 Además ahora soy mamá Pero una vez al año no hace daño Sigo conservando mi toque 😉 Y brindo por eso 🥃

[@STEPHANG2002]

Que hermoso recuerdo de mi adolescencia What a beautiful memory of my adolescence

[@cobbyg5296]

love Freds moves- the "fishin reel" at 2:20

[@ayf1983]

I always wondered who was the wilder showman at that time, Fred Schneider or David Byrne. They were both pretty crazy onstage lol.

[@bigsky3072]

Yup! What is that called? "The fishing reel dance move"?

[@iinglis89]

Whitest human ever spawned

[@naninhajovi7691]

É para se acabar de dançar!!!! Quem está curtindo em 2019? Adoroooooooo!!!! 😍🤘🏻🇧🇷👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@Miguelito-ms3jx]

Oi Naninha boa tarde.

[@ExGGLua]

Meu Deus, to apaixonada naquele baterista scrrrrrrrr

[@Kbkilllla]

Good performance I love this songgg d:

[@oranjwon4437]

I slept in the graveyard that one of these angels are buried in. Can anyone tell me which one she was, I forget? Athens GA was where I stopped, hitchhiking to FL in 91. I got to hang out with Bill Berry, REM's drummer, at his house, while passing through. He had a gorgeous Victorian, the guest bathroom's doorstop was an MTV award astronaut. The night we were looking for the B52 grave, my traveler friend and I had no place to stay, so we stayed there. I loved Athens, actually tried to plant a root...too hard. Went to the Ocala Rainbow Gathering after a couple weeks. Then I Joined Hemp Tour! What a fucking life....

[@JohnnyOlsen1456]

Awesome audio/video !!!

[@kylabotting]

so damn brilliant!!!

[@JamaicaBayRat]

Cindy's amazing

[@cackalackcowboy2127]

The guitar is solid, the song is carried through percussion, but we can all relate the lyrics to someone we know, genius!

[@tiagofernandesc]

On this day there were two months left for me to be born

[@shegocrazy]

35 years ago. jeez where did that time go?

[@njaneardude]

Pretty sure I saw them on this tour at the NorVa in Norfolk, VA. It was legendary.

[@kenw8875]

love em. that first “whoop whoo whoo” and instsntly transported to a fight scene in KB vol 1 where the bride prepares to surgical dissect the crazy 88s

[@JoseMendez-hd6oy]

Excelente canción en vivo.

[@bistrainmiguel]

My Favorite Song!! Great

[@gonzalosanz4211]

magnificent!!

[@metalcircus]

this is so much punk. awesome.

[@BuzzcutGtr]

SO good!

[@infiniteshandy267]

Wow...when Passaic was a destination.

[@nscaleuniverse1752]

Originality like this just doesn't exist anymore. sadness. Aw...Who cares? lets dance!

[@nncoco]

It is kind of sad. Musicianship was more common before the screen.

[@cliffbrown1798]

Omg! No fucking phones!

[@scottsenatra6558]

Hipsters...before it became a dirty word. If you were in college and lucky enough to see them when they were young like this...You were fortunate. Saw them in Chicago in 84 and that was a show.

[@bipedofthecentury9956]

Scott Senatra You did not see them in 84

[@PBGSURFER65]

Biped speaks the truth. Scott, your lingo outed you. They weren't hipsters. They were called punkrockers. But you wouldn't know that unless you were around back then. I DID see them in '82. They opened for the Who. Tangerine Bowl, Orlando. Guess what happened? They barely made it through three songs. The rain of shoes coming at them forced them off the stage. The point being, punkrock wasn't accepted back then by the hard rockers. The word hipster was not part of popular public lingo back then. No such animal existed back then. He may have dressed like a hipster from now, back then. But in no shape or form, was hipster ever associated with the B-52s. Punkrockers had to deal with unacceptance. It was part of the vibe. I can't say I embraced the true punkrocker effect, as I was (still am) a surfer. But back then, the surfer/skater people meshed rather well with the sea change of music/culture that was happening. So of course I liked the B-52s. I wore polka dot surf baggies, got hassled about it, so what. They looked too new-wavy (the baggies) and you could expect to hear some grief over it. THAT is the kind of stuff that you had to deal with back when the culture was changing, the 'new wave' was coming in. The B-52s were a part of that new wave, however, they were called punkrockers, not hipsters. Those 36 likes......hipsters, haha!

[@Banshee-Lu]

hipsters? que dice?

[@a.printup8811]

I did, Utica, 82. Wow!!!!!!!

[@kermitdafrog9088]

Garage...grunge...punk...new wave

[@rogeriomagro9867]

O guitarrista 🎸 muito bom! 👏👏👏👏

[@marciovalerio3809]

Ricky Wilson, irmã da vocalista Cindy Wilson. Infelizmente morreu em 1985.

[@MarkoPaulo28]

Black and White Video But the Music 😱😱😱 Very Colorful ❤️

[@pascallemaire5997]

Off course i agree 🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🇧🇪🇧🇪🇧🇪🇧🇪🇧🇪

[@JamesHunterRoss]

Perfect!