The B-52’s in concert for lunch today – recorded on November 17, 1979 at The Amsterdam Paradiso by VPRO in The Netherlands.
In the midst of all the seriousness and high-octane rage the mid-70s signaled, the 70s also gave us a healthy dose of quirk, parody and downright goofiness. Thinking back on such gems as The Fool with Psycho Chicken, Barnes and Barnes; Fish heads, Psychotic Pineapple; I Wanna Get Rid Of You – the list goes on for days – most of them were relegated to “novelty hits” or program filler on radio or “top most weird” lists at year-end. But The B-52s were a bit different. When Rock Lobster first aired (as an Indie label DB Records out of Athens, Georgia) it was certifiably strange but noticeably catchy and there was a certain polish to it that gave it the aura of sincere Pop, while actively engaging in a streak of parody and good natured silliness.
It wasn’t long before Rock Lobster became a staple in the diets of the KROQ’s (Rock of The 70s) of America and Pop Culture had an unlikely batch of Bouffant icons in its midst. It also signaled a major label jumping in and scooping up the band and turning them commercial in the process. For those of you who remember, Rock Lobster went from its original scruffy and irresistible version to a smoother, albeit slicker version via Warner Bros – armed with hardcore distribution and a broader base of radio airplay (i.e. Mainstream), The B-52’s went from clubs to halls and international tours and a string of hits in the process as well as a flood of accolades and proclamations from NME in the UK to Rolling Stone, citing their debut album as one of the best debuts of the century, along with being hailed as the quintessential Party Band.
Although The B-52’s have pretty much retired from the rigors of touring in 2022, they have lately been doing residencies in Vegas and Paradise Nevada, they are hard for the audience to let go of. The list of artists and bands who grew up listening to them has grown over the years, and it seems unlikely that it will stop anytime soon. The party continues.
But there’s always 1979 to revisit – and this gig in Amsterdam is from one of the first tours the band did in Europe.
Crank it up and enjoy lunch. It’s December after all.
