The Love Shack is Closing: B-52s Announce Final Tour After 45 Years of Fun

Well, now I feel old. Way back in 1978 I heard an indie single at Bleecker Bob’s called “Rock Lobster.” (I was six years old if you’re trying to do the math…) It was totally nuts and fun, kind of a surf record with wacky lyrics. Soon everyone was ‘doing’ the Rock Lobster at clubs. Sire Records signed the B-52s, and their debut album took off like a rocket. They soon proved to be more than just a passing fancy. David Byrne even put out his own mix version of their album, “Mesopotamia.” They were that good.

But everything must come to an end, and so it is for Fred Schneider, Kate Pierson, and Cindy Wilson. ( A fourth member, Cindy’s brother Ricky, died of AIDS early on.) The B 52s have announced their final tour, and a documentary produced by Fred Armisen.

Says co-founder Kate Pierson, “Who knew what started as a way to have some fun and play music for our friends’ at house parties in Athens in 1977 would evolve into over 45 years of making music and touring the world. It’s been cosmic.”

Cindy Wilson, who also co-founded the band with her beloved late brother, Ricky, adds, “It has been a wild ride, that’s for sure. We feel truly blessed to have had an amazing career encouraging folks to dance, sing along with us and feel they can be whomever they are with our music.”

Fred Schneider, co-founder and perhaps the most unique front man in rock, sums up the band’s decision to retire from the road, “No one likes to throw a party more than we do, but after almost a half-century on the road, it’s time for one last blow-out with our friends and family…our fans. And with KC & The Sunshine Band and The Tubes on board, it’s going to be one hell of a farewell party at these concerts.”

Here are the dates. You’ll only miss seeing them if you’re living in your own Private Idaho.

Here’s the original single:

THE B-52S 2022 TOUR DATES

August 22^nd                Seattle, WA                            McCaw Hall*

September 29^th          Mashantucket, CT                  Foxwoods Casino**

September 30^th          Boston, MA                            MGM Music Hall**

October 1^st                 Washington, DC                     The Anthem**

October 7^th                Chicago, IL                              Chicago Theatre**

October 13^th              New York, NY                         Beacon Theatre**

October 14^th               New York, NY                         Beacon Theatre**

October 15^th               Atlantic City, NJ                      Ovation Hall – Ocean Casino**

October 19^th              Las Vegas, NV                         The Venetian Theatre

October 21^st               Las Vegas, NV                         The Venetian Theatre

October 22^nd              Las Vegas, NV                         The Venetian Theatre

October 28^th              San Francisco, CA                   The Masonic Auditorium*

October 29^th              San Francisco, CA                   The Masonic Auditorium*

November 4^th             Los Angeles, CA                      YouTube Theater**

November 11^th           Atlanta, GA                            The Fox Theatre**

*with Special Guests The Tubes

**with Special Guests KC & The Sunshine Band