The B-52's - 53 Miles West Of Venus - 11/7/1980 - Capitol Theatre (Official)

The B-52's - 53 Miles West Of Venus
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.

[@thenavajoknow]

Nobody built a more beautiful bridge between surf and wave.

[@goldenagenut]

Some bands could never achieve the same quality of sound live that they got in the studio. This band was every bit as good live as in the studio. Great band, totally unique.

[@jewelsandbinoculars1]

That’s a testament to the production…they were always a live product and that is what they tried to capture

[@coldacre]

they sounded even better live. listen to how FAT the drums are. that bottom end.

[@hangingwithmatty9465]

Almost better live❤🎉

[@eloiseroberts9674]

Absolutely.

[@coastallad1010]

Great concert. I was there in Sydney.

[@mudfkr3897]

40 years later and 53 miles further still a blast...

[@coldacre]

this is one of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard. that groove could go on forever

[@goldenagenut]

This is one of those songs you wish was much longer - you hit it - they get into such a deep and funky groove that you just want it to go on and on! Even when sitting, your body dances to this one, cant resist.

[@coldacre]

@@goldenagenut I couldnt agree more. well said!

[@antrog1895]

Last song on the album and I’d drift off to sleep listening to it. Love that album.

[@101Volts]

There's an extended album version somewhere, I don't know if it's official or fan-made. It goes on for about 7 minutes. EDIT: Here it is: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpXdk2qZj9CMitk

[@Anonymous-c4p]

🎶🍑...miles n miles of vertical smiles...🍑♾🍑😏💞

[@dominichetherington2287]

ricky wilson r.i.p. what a fricken great guitarist what a star ✴✴✴

[@adamtaylor31]

One of my favorites. Totally unique player.

[@jaydoubleju]

That

[@javiersoto3258]

@THOTASIA O. SCREEM after ricky's death, the drummer was in the guitar

[@coldacre]

he’s a genius. you can hear what a huge influence this song was on Sonic Youth. it’s all there.

[@2002kafkacamus]

Totally unorthodox technique! Loved him, so melodic.

[@judasplow25]

The b52's made a lot of pure magic.

[@334578x]

This was cool. And Ricky looked so sexy playing his guitar! 🎸

[@dianerose4416]

I was at this concert with my sister . You can see us right at the end of this song

[@tonykeggin8906]

Superb stuff.

[@carlosarturosousagarridole9361]

Wich one?

[@RuinsOfMetal]

Lies! For that is Me and my sister! Imposters!

[@coldacre]

lucky people!

[@simplyfred8044]

I know you stepped on my foot

[@CaptainZanny]

Thankfully the B-52's gained the popularity they deserved in the later years, but this video shows the understated performances they put on in the early years. So nice to be able to experience, and appreciate, their unfettered musicianship before they became mainstream.

[@jeromelambe2449]

Totally agree

[@govetter]

Yup! to see raw footage of Kate & Cindy with Fred LIVE is just, INCREDIBLE! Wowzie!

[@colibri1]

Cindy dances the Pony great in this. She's got those 60s dances down pat.

[@2kbill]

colibri1 She is adorable

[@stellajaime3068]

Loved them then and still do to this day! They were the shit!

[@fabclark123]

@Rusty Trumbone - look it up urban Dict u kno nothin

[@pa.encema2821]

Funny thing is she is the baby of the group

[@marcelavivan]

mate this band is just unreal 🥵

[@michaelj.smithph.d.9114]

Such a beautiful song, I can't believe I missed it for all these years! Glad I found it, I would have loved it had I heard this in 1980!❤

[@geoffreydavid1963]

Ricky's awesome guitar playing is monumental!

[@govetter]

didya notice that harmonic twing? HA. Soo good!

[@theoriginalrabbithole]

Ricky Wilson was the second best surf guitarist of all time after Dick Dale imo.

[@countdebleauchamp]

Ricky Wilson's guitar, incredible. Not in virtuosity, but in that sound. So unique.

[@Mellonpopr]

still a killer groove in 2020

[@gl8466]

So simple it's near genius.

[@MrJpm1989]

Cindy is just AMAZING

[@MarcHOLSON-ef4gd]

Tous ...^^

[@Rep0007]

Audience members - immortalized in this video.

[@judasplow25]

Ricky could rock that guitar!

[@kolbpilot]

Cindy's got the moves.

[@WilmerCook]

Need a Cindy dance video

[@yaktaxi1234567]

the B-52s ... just as bright in black & white !!!!!

[@anapaulabrandao7290]

também acho rs

[@fundies2]

This is so mesmerizing. I keep coming back to this video.

[@andyp3834]

...actually one of the best of their songs, if your not from the love shack era. thanks Capitol Theatre! and the ones who put on and recorded the show.

[@whvance]

Andy P this and planet Claire are my two favorites

[@crashjones9575]

Totally agree- first 2 albums do it for me-- Ricky was on point.

[@nicholasbadgley9295]

I always thought of their first two albums as two halves of a double record. Planet Claire introduces this band from outer space and 53 miles is them flying away. 53 miles had a melancholy sound to it and it has always made me feel a little sad because it signaled the end of those two magic albums. The B's were great later on, but these early years with Kate on keys and no additional musicians onstage are incomparable.

[@govetter]

Agreed!

[@missblue1962]

omg the guitarist -- precision plus innovation

[@lancejohnston8083]

I'm a heavy metal kinda guy, but I also appreciate talent and awesome vocals, the B52s really delivered , I'm 57 and I'm still rocking with them, I turned a few of these 2023 youngsters on to them, they don't understand why they love them, but they do, they got caught up in them just like I did when I was younger..thanks B52s for all your music and sharing the feels

[@mikeyarborough2773]

CINDY OWNS THE PONY !

[@njaneardude]

I'm hugging my laptop right now. Is that okay? Thank you KZbin!

[@TheMonolake]

Cindys dance moves are incomprehensible.

[@randbc1416]

Boy, girl's brother sure could find a groove. Wish I could find it.

[@wrinkleneckbass]

God I always loved this song. I've seen them many times live but I don't think I've ever seen them play this.

[@henryluis3111]

DAMN THEY HAD THAT GOOD SH#T WAY BACK FOR REAL?(😱)

[@tedjohnson64]

Been a B-52's fan for decades, but somehow never heard this song before -- it's awesome! Sounds like a really cool old school sci-fi movie!

[@scaffman2162]

Cindy dancing 3:33 onwards. im in love!! The girl was born to dance!

[@101Volts]

You know what, considering how shy Ricky was I wonder if that played into his guitar style. There are subtle parts all over the place that you just won't notice unless you're looking.

[@Chilopoda81]

This band is just very special. There will never be another.

[@susansparanormalpennsylvan81]

one of the best songs ever, so unique, clever and talented band, i always felt they were underated, you can dance to every song at one of their concerts, its almost like they channeled some otherwordly music spirit to come up with their songs, its like a sprite sprinkled fairy dust on them or something, i cannot explain it.

[@Chilopoda81]

Isn't it amazing how they just randomly came together in Athens too?

[@damianb2374]

Underrated by... who?!??

[@nicholasbadgley9295]

​@@damianb2374 they are underrated by every single person who thinks the B-52's = Love Shack, especially when it come to their first two albums.

[@damianb2374]

@@nicholasbadgley9295 based on what?

[@nicholasbadgley9295]

​@@damianb2374 based on the fact that people who think of the b52s as a one hit wonder, or who don't even realize that they existed before love shack, see the b's as a love shack pop band. This show provides a view of the b's as a band with more depth and talent than they showed with love shack. So they are underrated by people who judge the quality of their musicianship or live performance based on post-ricky wilson releases, most particularly love shack and who, in many cases, don't even realize that the b52s had been making music since the mid-70s.

[@jbhix2691]

Kate Pierson is a GODDESS!

[@marcelobilos454]

A diamond in the time...

[@rudymata510]

R.I.p. Ricky big imagination he had

[@marryellenmonahan5585]

Never gets oid!

[@fredlinne]

luv Ricky's guitar RIP

[@vetterburns1048]

We ALL knew Fred..Kate & Cindy! BUT! ...Ricky made it soo happening! LIVE!

[@h.chappelle2720]

Love this, when it came out, I was watching Star Trek with my cat named Venus. Still love this tune today.

[@FarAwayEyes64]

No one before ... no one since .. All Hail the B-52’s

[@elizabethgeoghegan5167]

I love Fred’s dance in the beginning. You just want to join in.

[@coastallad1010]

Masterpiece

[@unclenedsfishfactory6461]

I hope to think, they did not know how brilliant they are... but they were (are), I think they were just having a ton of fun... mores the better for us ... 30 + years later, I realize I don't just like them, I LOVE them !. They are genius !

[@RICHBLACKCOCK]

last song on side 2 of WILD PLANET. I was sweet16 when they cut this one. from PARTY OUT OF BOUNDS on the opening cut. it is on!!! QUICHE LORRAINE!!!!

[@dougdoesall]

one of my favorites of theirs...maybe my favorite....yes....why it is.....i love this whole capitol concert. What a band.

[@govetter]

Agreed, WHAT A SHOW!

[@superelectic45]

Glad someone was there to film it!

[@neilclark2245]

first heard this on Anne Nightingale's request show back in the 80s. Instantly transfixed, like the world had stopped for 4min 49sec

[@lesterawilson3]

Way ahead of its time.

[@christianfranco531]

ricky wilson ❤

[@dominichetherington2287]

pure history the infant b52s the best band in the world love from england as cindy would say "tin roof rrrrrrrrusted" yes i know that was to come!

[@eclair9]

What an excellent song!! Brings back great memories!!

[@victorjohnson7512]

Cindy Wilson is my favorite one in the band.

[@govetter]

I like Kate banging tha Bongos! lol

[@ms-jl6dl]

Brilliant.

[@camancho13]

Love this song and this eery, eclectic sound and beat. To think… they were so far ahead of their time in the late 70’s and 80’s. They were already creating their the “alternative” genre. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@joekennedy1950]

I love love love love skinny Cindy, I love bigger Cindy too. Sure hope she is happy with wherever she is now.

[@coastallad1010]

Love Kate and Ricky's work in this.

[@paulelliott3220]

Steve Lynch agree 100% - fantastic playing by them both Great indeed

[@fundies2]

Agree as well. Ricky is so underrated as a guitarist. He did wonders with 4 strings and one note solos. He is amazing. For as underrated as Ricky is on guitar, Kate is even more underrated with her keyboard playing. Playing the baseline and lead as well as singing is not easy, yet it certainly seems to be for her.

[@101Volts]

When I first listened to Ricky's guitar parts I thought "He's the worst guitarist I ever heard" because it all seemed so simple. GUESS AGAIN. Just who thought that "Lava" was played only by him unless they saw it live before he passed? The band had barely _any_ footage available to show from 1978-1985 (certainly none of Lava that I ever witnessed from 2006 - 2012) and this concert was not among the few clips I had seen before 2013. I did wonder years before this was posted if it was possible to play the song like this (what a thought!) and perhaps I looked at the album's notes and saw nobody else played on Lava but I tried to imitate him before I saw footage showing that IS how he did it...

[@elizabethgeoghegan5167]

Phenomenally good

[@coastallad1010]

lucky enough to be at that concert.

[@grahamking9121]

Fred's and Cindy's dancing in sync around 2:30 is something to see! Cindy's dancing, always!

[@charlesveg]

amen

[@DannybFlat01]

hold that tightly forever...

[@govetter]

@@DannybFlat01 bouncy, bouncy...

[@majortom2688]

Powerful tandem how graceful

[@majortom2688]

When Fred lets the singers sing...

[@TallshrewFishing]

Geat upload. My favourite track off Wild Planet.

[@maxrockatansky3017]

Outstanding!!! :)

[@petegobeckli1386]

My favorite song off of WILD PLANET.

[@bman8tor]

This is frickin' amazing!! 😍😍😍

[@valv1048]

Chef d'oeuvre musical 👏👍☺💛

[@Cmart6444]

Amazing guys, what a way of making music....and making us feel good at the same moment!!!!! Regards folks!

[@majortom2688]

A Kate and Cindy masterpiece show. Look like Lennon and Mc Cartney

[@govetter]

Fifty Three Miles WEST.. Go Ricky! GO!

[@MrTaurus48228]

One of my favorite songs by B-52

[@majortom2688]

Fan of THIS song

[@A1R5N1P3R]

Dirty Back Road is my fave, but they're all amazing.

[@coastallad1010]

A1R5N1P3R This,Dirty back road and Give me back my man my faves😊

[@Andy-pu2iv]

Ssssssstunning!

[@musiknutz]

B-52s I love you!!!!!

[@MarcHOLSON-ef4gd]

Finalement, j'écouterai cette chanson toute ma vie ....❤❤❤

[@joekennedy1950]

My goodness Cindy Wilson at 1:31. She was just meant to be in this band.

[@richardhall156]

If there was one band I wish I had seen back in the day it would have been the B52s they had an awesome unique talent

[@fredlinne]

Soo fuckin good!!!!!

[@fredlinne]

Brilliant!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@antonsavin72]

Great perfomance!

[@genesbeans]

Great Venusian music.

[@patrickmcmanus5373]

Then music at the time was so different to everything else. Still going and still great

[@stephenbeall5853]

Saw them at Detroit's Masonic Auditorium the same year. As I remember, this was the encore. Great performance!

[@Mucving]

Amazing.

[@mh2289]

So good!

[@russellhurst3041]

greatness

[@coockiedoe]

This is my favorite song from the b52s❤️❤️❤️💋💋💋💋😎

[@RajSarchimelia]

One of my favoritest songs ever!

[@vulcan_nz]

Hell yeah! sound so good live back then.

[@101Volts]

And Fred said when they recorded, things didn't go so well? What, is that excepting this concert? This recording is better than most other footage I've seen from their 1976-1982 era. It's close-up, you get to see shots of Ricky's guitar techniques and the audio is alright.

[@coastallad1010]

Austin Lucas Yeah Austin lucky enough to be at this in Sydney back then sound was great awesome gig..

[@nncoco]

I prefer the sound of this to the recordings. I'd raw. Great live band.

[@majortom2688]

Yes great performance

[@coldacre]

I don’t think Fred was talking about live concerts when he mentioned trouble recording. he means in the studio. and he’s right; apart from the first album... every album after that has a rather anemic drum sound. there’s no power. watching this live video you really feel the energy of Keith’s powerful drumming. they never really captured that in the studio (first album got the closest)

[@101Volts]

@@coldacre Yes, perhaps that is what Fred meant.

[@vetterburns1048]

"Spandex, It's a privilege, not a right." - Cereal Killer

[@tonyhaslam186]

And the fans are totally part of the sound. Wonderful

[@kaneda015]

its just...special an wesome and so...real - love 'em

[@BobACNJ]

Passion!

[@philipmalempre9599]

❤thank so great in 2024❤

[@jewelsandbinoculars1]

perfect song 🎧🎶 🎵

[@eloiseroberts9674]

Such utter, utter dudes. All of them. ❤️

[@smittys19daytona]

First two albums were so ground breaking wasn't a fan of the later pop songs but I'm sure they paid some bills so talented

[@DrSmooth2000]

Bit on the spacey side for Me but I can dig. Pop is popular for a reason tho

[@govetter]

HA, I still have the Vinyl LPs! But, I love DIGITAL Miles!