The B-52s (styled as
The B-52's prior to 2008) are an American
new wave band, formed in
Athens, Georgia in 1976. The original line-up consisted of
Fred Schneider (vocals, percussion, keyboards),
Kate Pierson (organ, keyboards, bass, vocals),
Cindy Wilson (vocals, bongos, tambourine),
Ricky Wilson (guitars, bass), and
Keith Strickland (drums, guitars, keyboards, synthesizers, various instruments). Following Ricky Wilson's death in 1985, Strickland switched full-time to guitar. The band subsequently added various musicians for their live shows. This included
Sara Lee or
Tracy Wormworth (bass), Zachary Alford or
Sterling Campbell (drums, percussion) and
Pat Irwin or
Paul Gordon (keyboards & guitars).