Complete List Of The B-52s Band Members

Feature Photo: Lynn Goldsmith; Distributed by Warner Bros. Records, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Do you remember the first time you heard the song “Rock Lobster” especially if you were around when it first was released? When singers try to mimic the sounds of lobsters and they do it in a punk New Wave manner, it definitely turns heads. This was one of the most unique bands to come out of the late 70s rock and roll new wave movement. There has never been another band like them. They remain one of my all-time favorites.

The B-52s formed after Cindy Wilson, Ricky Wilson, Kate Pierson, Keith Strickland, and Fred Schneider held an impromptu jam session after their drinks. The band played their first concert with Wilson on guitar in 1977, on North Milledge Avenue in Athens, at a Valentine’s Day party for their friends.

The B-52s have released a total of seven studio albums: The B-52’s (1979), Wild Planet (1980), Whammy! (1983), Bouncing Off the Satellites (1986), Cosmic Thing (1989), Good Stuff (1992), and Funplex (2008). The B-52s experienced significant chart success, particularly with their fifth studio album, Cosmic Thing, which reached number 4 on the Billboard 200 chart. They have been nominated for three Grammy Awards: twice for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group in 1990 and 1991, and for Best Alternative Music Album in 1992.

The B-52s performed the last show of their farewell tour entitled “The Final Tour Ever on Planet Earth” in Athens, where the group began on January 10, 2023. The band has sold over 20 million albums worldwide and continues to perform select shows and Las Vegas residencies while pursuing individual projects.

Fred Schneider

Fred Schneider (vocals, percussion) joined the B-52s as a founding member in 1976 and remains with the band today. Schneider’s distinctive vocal style, described as sprechgesang, contrasted with the melodic harmonies of his female bandmates and became a trademark of the group’s sound. Throughout the band’s seven studio albums, Schneider provided lead vocals on many of their most memorable tracks, including the spoken-word segments in “Rock Lobster” and his characteristic vocal delivery on songs like “Love Shack” and “Private Idaho.”

Schneider’s contributions to specific albums were significant across the band’s catalog. On their 1979 debut album, he provided vocals on all tracks including the breakthrough hit “Rock Lobster.” His vocal work continued to define the band’s sound through Wild Planet (1980), where he delivered memorable performances on “Private Idaho” and “Give Me Back My Man.” On Whammy! (1983), Schneider’s vocals appeared prominently, and he continued this pattern through Bouncing Off the Satellites (1986), though this album was overshadowed by Ricky Wilson’s death during its creation.

Outside the B-52s, Schneider pursued solo work that showcased his unique artistic vision. Fred Schneider released his Fred Schneider & the Shake Society solo album from 1984, featuring songs “Monster”, “Summer in Hell”, “I’m Gonna Haunt You” and “Boonga (The New Jersey Caveman)”. In 1991, Schneider’s 1984 solo record was repackaged and re-released, resulting in his first Hot 100 single when “Monster” climbed to No. 56. Additionally, Fred started work on a solo project, Just Fred (1996), with producer Steve Albini, his second solo project.

Schneider’s career highlights beyond the band include various television and film appearances. Pierson is credited alongside Fred Schneider in the Nickelodeon cartoon Rocko’s Modern Life for the theme song vocals. The vocalist has remained a constant presence in the band through all lineup changes and continues touring with the current iteration of the B-52s.

Kate Pierson

Catherine Elizabeth Pierson (born April 27, 1948) is an American singer, lyricist, and founding member of the B-52s. She plays guitar, bass and various keyboard instruments. Pierson joined the band as a founding member in 1976 and continues with the group today. In the early years, as well as being a vocalist, Pierson was the main keyboard player and performed on a keyboard bass during live shows and on many of the band’s recordings, taking on a role usually filled by a bass guitar player, which differentiated the band from their contemporaries.

Pierson’s distinctive vocal range and keyboard skills were central to every B-52s album. On their debut album The B-52s (1979), her vocals on “Planet Claire” and harmonies throughout the record helped establish the band’s signature sound. She continued as a primary vocalist and keyboardist on Wild Planet (1980), contributing to hits like “Private Idaho.” On Whammy! (1983), Pierson switched to a mainly vocal role in the studio, but remained behind the keyboards on tour. Her contributions were essential to the band’s comeback album Cosmic Thing (1989), where her vocals on “Love Shack” and “Roam” helped propel the band to mainstream success.

Pierson’s career outside the B-52s has been extensive and varied. Pierson has also collaborated with many other artists including the Ramones, Iggy Pop and R.E.M. It was around the time of Cosmic Thing’s breakthrough that Pierson became an in-demand duet partner, joining Iggy Pop on the only top 40 hit of his career, “Candy”, and fellow Athenian college-rock royalty R.E.M. on their top 10 single “Shiny Happy People”. The Ramones, in the early 1980s on the song “Chop Suey”, with Cindy Wilson and Debbie Harry; the title is available as a bonus track on the Ramones’ re-release CD Pleasant Dreams.

Her solo career began in earnest decades after the band’s formation. In February 2015, Pierson released her first solo album, Guitars and Microphones, featuring material co-written by Sia. Despite those one-off successes, and the fact that Pierson had been writing songs on her own since she was a teenager, she refrained from doing a full solo album out of loyalty to her bandmates. Even after a 1999 stint in a multinational supergroup called NiNa (featuring members of Japanese punk band the Plastics and legendary art-rock bassist Mick Karn) “opened up a new vista” for Pierson creatively, she still didn’t release her first solo LP, Guitars and Microphones, until 2015.

Pierson’s entrepreneurial ventures include hospitality businesses. Pierson and Coleman developed Kate’s Lazy Meadow motel complex in Mount Tremper, New York in 2003. They have also owned Kate’s Lazy Cabin in nearby Lake Hill, New York, both in the Catskill Mountains, Kate’s Lazy Desert in Landers, California, and Kate’s Lazy Cape located on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. She released a second solo album in 2024 titled Radios and Rainbows, continuing to explore her individual artistic vision while remaining committed to the B-52s.

Keith Strickland

Julian Keith Strickland (born October 26, 1953) is an American singer-songwriter, composer, musician, multi-instrumentalist, and one of the founding members of the B-52s. Strickland joined as a founding member in 1976 and remains with the band, though he retired from touring in 2012. Originally the band’s drummer, Strickland switched to guitar after the death of guitarist Ricky Wilson in 1985.

Strickland’s role evolved significantly across the band’s albums. As the original drummer, he provided the rhythmic foundation for the B-52s’ first four albums: The B-52s (1979), Wild Planet (1980), Whammy! (1983), and Bouncing Off the Satellites (1986). According to Pierson, Strickland no longer wanted to play the drums, so the band switched to drum machines for Whammy!, with Strickland and Ricky Wilson playing all the music on the album, and the rest of the band providing vocals only. After Wilson’s death in 1985, Ricky always played guitar in open tunings, and my concern was finding someone who could do that and would get Ricky’s harmonic sensibility. He and I would often play different instruments when we wrote together, so I was already familiar with open tunings, and since I had written all the guitar parts for the new album using open tunings, I volunteered to switch to guitar.

Strickland’s guitar work became central to the band’s most successful period. On Cosmic Thing (1989), his guitar arrangements helped create the band’s biggest hits, including “Love Shack” and “Roam.” He continued as the band’s primary guitarist and composer through Good Stuff (1992) and Funplex (2008). Strickland also plays keyboards and bass guitar on many of the B-52s recordings, and has occasionally provided backing vocals. Strickland composes the music for the B-52s.

On December 13, 2012, Strickland retired from touring with the B-52s; Fred Schneider said of Strickland’s announcement, “We had known about Keith’s decision for a while but we just didn’t want to think about it. Keith will probably still be available for special shows but he wanted to get off the road. Keith will always be able to work with us whenever he wants. He’s a best friend.” Greg Suran is his current live stand-in. Although retired from touring, Strickland continues to engage in musical composition, focusing on instrumental electronic music.

Outside music, In 1992, Strickland publicly came out as gay, embracing his identity with openness. Four years later, in 1996, he married Mark Hayda, marking a significant personal milestone. His personal journey has been influential in LGBTQ+ representation in music. Strickland attended high school with actress Kim Basinger, highlighting a shared connection with another prominent figure from Athens, Georgia.

Cindy Wilson

Cindy Wilson was a founding member of the B-52s in 1976, serving as one of the band’s primary vocalists and contributing percussion. She temporarily left the band from 1990 to 1996 to focus on family life, then returned and continues with the group today. Wilson’s distinctive vocal style, combined with Kate Pierson’s harmonies, created one of the most recognizable vocal sounds in new wave music.

Wilson contributed vocals to all of the band’s major albums and hits during her tenure. Her voice was prominent on the debut album The B-52s (1979), including the breakthrough single “Rock Lobster.” She continued as a primary vocalist through Wild Planet (1980), Whammy! (1983), and Bouncing Off the Satellites (1986). The latter album was particularly poignant as it was recorded while her brother Ricky was secretly battling AIDS. Soon after, Cindy Wilson amicably departed. “I’d been a B-52 for a long time, and it just felt like time for a change,” said Cindy. Before long, Wilson had successfully completed her first solo project — a baby girl.

Wilson returned to the band in 1996 and contributed to their later work. She provided vocals for Time Capsule: Songs for a Future Generation (1998), Funplex (2008), and continues touring with the current lineup. Her return helped stabilize the band’s classic vocal arrangements and contributed to their continued success in live performances.

Like her bandmate Kate Pierson, Wilson eventually pursued solo work. She has released solo material that showcases her individual artistic vision separate from the B-52s’ collective sound. Wilson’s temporary departure and subsequent return demonstrated the band’s resilience and her own commitment to balancing personal life with professional obligations. Her career highlights include being part of one of the most influential bands in new wave and alternative music history, contributing to over 20 million albums sold worldwide.

Ricky Wilson

Ricky Wilson, lead guitarist and the member responsible for much of the band’s unique vision, died of AIDS in 1985. Wilson was a founding member who joined the B-52s in 1976 and remained until his death, serving as the band’s primary guitarist and a key creative force. His innovative guitar style using open tunings became a defining characteristic of the B-52s’ sound.

Wilson’s guitar work was central to the band’s first four albums. On The B-52s (1979), his distinctive guitar style was showcased on tracks like “Rock Lobster” and “Planet Claire,” helping establish the band’s unique sonic identity. His contributions continued on Wild Planet (1980), where songs like “Private Idaho” featured his characteristic percussive guitar technique. On Whammy! (1983), with Strickland and Ricky Wilson playing all the music on the album, Wilson’s guitar work became even more prominent. His final recording sessions were for Bouncing Off the Satellites (1986), completed shortly before his death.

In an interview, fellow band member Kate Pierson stated that Wilson had kept his illness secret from his fellow band members because he “did not want anyone to worry about him or fuss about him.” Tragically In 1985 Wilson died from AIDS at the age of 32. Leaving the rest of the band too depressed to carry on. “He really had a vision…,” said sister Cindy Wilson. “He was one of the strongest elements of the B-52s from the beginning.” Ricky Wilson’s passing in 1985 came just after the sessions for Bouncing Off The Satellites (1986).

Wilson’s influence on the band’s sound cannot be overstated. His open-tuned guitar style was so distinctive that when Keith Strickland took over guitar duties, he had to learn Wilson’s specific approach to maintain the band’s sound. Wilson had no significant solo career or projects outside the B-52s, as his entire professional focus was devoted to the band from its formation until his death. His legacy lives on through the band’s continued use of his innovative guitar techniques and the lasting impact of his contributions to their most foundational recordings.

Tracy Wormworth

Tracy Wormworth has served as the touring bass player for the B-52s from 1992 to the present. She joined the band’s touring lineup during their comeback period following Ricky Wilson’s death and Keith Strickland’s transition from drums to guitar. As a touring member rather than a core band member, Wormworth provides the bass foundation for the band’s live performances while the original members focus on their primary instruments and vocals.

Wormworth’s tenure spans multiple significant periods in B-52s history. She has been part of the touring band for all major tours supporting Good Stuff (1992), various greatest hits tours, the Funplex (2008) tour, and their recent farewell tour that concluded in Athens, Georgia in 2023. Her bass playing has been essential to recreating the band’s classic sound in live settings, particularly the keyboard bass parts originally played by Kate Pierson.

Outside the B-52s, Wormworth has maintained an active career as a session musician and touring bassist. She has worked with various artists and contributed to recording sessions beyond her B-52s commitments. She cowrote the call to disarmament, “Dream On,” with bassist Tracy Wormworth, guitarist/keyboardist Ken Maiuri, and drummer Sterling Campbell, who’ve accompanied the Bs on numerous tours. This collaboration demonstrates her creative contributions beyond just performing the band’s existing catalog.

Her role as a long-term touring member represents the band’s evolution from their original five-piece formation to their current model of core members supported by skilled touring musicians. Wormworth’s consistency over three decades has provided stability as the band’s membership and roles have shifted, particularly with Keith Strickland’s retirement from touring in 2012.

Sterling Campbell

Sterling Campbell has served as the B-52s’ touring drummer across two separate periods: 1992-2002 and 2007-present. He joined during the band’s reformation period after Keith Strickland’s permanent switch from drums to guitar following Ricky Wilson’s death. Campbell’s drumming has been integral to the band’s live sound during their most commercially successful touring years.

Campbell’s first period with the band (1992-2002) coincided with tours supporting Good Stuff and various compilation releases. His drumming style complemented the band’s existing catalog while adapting to their evolving sound. After a brief hiatus from the band (2002-2007), he returned for the Funplex era and has remained their primary touring drummer since. His work has been featured on their recent live releases and continues through their current touring activities.

Outside the B-52s, Campbell has maintained an extensive career as one of the music industry’s most sought-after session and touring drummers. His resume includes work with major artists such as David Bowie, where he served as Bowie’s drummer for significant tours and recording sessions. He has also worked with Duran Duran, Soul Asylum, and numerous other prominent acts, establishing himself as a versatile and reliable musician capable of adapting to different musical styles.

She cowrote the call to disarmament, “Dream On,” with bassist Tracy Wormworth, guitarist/keyboardist Ken Maiuri, and drummer Sterling Campbell, who’ve accompanied the Bs on numerous tours. This collaboration on Kate Pierson’s solo work demonstrates Campbell’s contributions to the extended B-52s musical family beyond his touring duties. His dual role as both a touring member and creative collaborator shows the integrated nature of the band’s extended lineup.

Greg Suran

Greg Suran joined the B-52s as touring guitarist in 2013, taking over Keith Strickland’s position when Strickland retired from touring while remaining a band member. Greg Suran is his current live stand-in, stepping into the challenging role of recreating both Strickland’s guitar work and the earlier innovative guitar style established by Ricky Wilson.

Suran’s tenure began during a transitional period for the band as they adapted to performing without one of their founding members on stage. His guitar work has been featured on tours supporting the band’s catalog spanning their entire career, from early hits like “Rock Lobster” to later successes like “Love Shack.” He has had to master the distinctive open-tuning guitar style that was central to the B-52s’ sound.

Veteran studio and touring guitarist Greg Suran stepped into the line up for this week’s New Year’s Eve gig. “It’s going to sound a little different,” says Schneider. “I mean, you can’t replace Keith or Ricky, especially with all the years Keith wrote and played his music and perfected it the way he did. But we hired Greg and he sounds really good. We rehearsed him in New York and he pulled it off. He knew the material inside and out. It still sounds like The B-52’s.”

Suran’s role represents the band’s evolution into its current form, where original members are supported by skilled touring musicians who help maintain the integrity of their classic sound. His guitar work has been essential to the band’s continued touring success, including their farewell tour and Las Vegas residency performances. While specific details about his career outside the B-52s are not extensively documented in available sources, his ability to seamlessly integrate into such an iconic band demonstrates significant musical skills and adaptability.

Ken Maiuri

Ken Maiuri joined the B-52s as a touring member in 2016, serving as keyboardist and guitarist. His role became particularly important as the band continued touring with a reduced core member presence on stage, especially after Keith Strickland’s retirement from touring in 2012. Maiuri’s contributions help recreate the layered keyboard textures that have always been central to the B-52s’ sound.

As a multi-instrumentalist, Maiuri provides both keyboard and guitar parts that support Kate Pierson’s vocals and primary keyboard work while filling in instrumental gaps left by the reduced core member touring lineup. His work has been featured in the band’s recent touring activities, including their farewell tour and Las Vegas residency performances. The complexity of the B-52s’ arrangements requires skilled musicians who can handle multiple instrumental parts, making Maiuri’s versatility valuable to the band’s live presentations.

She cowrote the call to disarmament, “Dream On,” with bassist Tracy Wormworth, guitarist/keyboardist Ken Maiuri, and drummer Sterling Campbell, who’ve accompanied the Bs on numerous tours. This collaboration on Kate Pierson’s solo work demonstrates Maiuri’s integration into the extended B-52s musical community and his contributions as both a performer and creative participant. His role in co-writing material shows that touring members have become genuine collaborators rather than simply hired musicians recreating existing parts.

Maiuri represents the current generation of touring musicians who help legacy acts maintain their sound while adapting to changing circumstances. His ability to contribute both instrumentally and creatively suggests a deep understanding of the B-52s’ musical approach and aesthetic. While specific details about his career outside the B-52s are not extensively documented, his collaborative role indicates significant musical experience and compatibility with the band’s unique style.

Pat Irwin

Pat Irwin served as keyboardist and guitarist for the B-52s from 1989-2007, spanning nearly two decades as a crucial touring member. He joined during the band’s most commercially successful period, contributing to tours supporting Cosmic Thing, Good Stuff, and various compilation releases. Irwin’s tenure represents the longest-serving touring musician in the band’s history.

Irwin’s keyboard and guitar work helped recreate the band’s classic sound during live performances while supporting the core members’ primary roles. His contributions were particularly important during the Cosmic Thing era, when the band was experiencing their greatest mainstream success with hits like “Love Shack” and “Roam.” His multi-instrumental abilities allowed the band to present full arrangements of their complex catalog in live settings.

Outside the B-52s, Irwin has maintained an active career in music that demonstrates his versatility beyond his touring member role. He has worked as a composer, particularly in television and film scoring. His experience includes work on soundtracks and background music for various media projects, showcasing his ability to create music across different contexts and styles.

Irwin’s nearly two-decade tenure with the B-52s provided stability during multiple transitions in the band’s history. He performed through the period when Cindy Wilson left and returned, various lineup adjustments, and the band’s evolution from alternative darlings to mainstream icons and back to legacy act status. His long service demonstrates both his musical compatibility with the band and their satisfaction with his contributions to their live sound.

Zack Alford

Zack Alford served as the B-52s’ touring drummer during two separate periods: 1989-1992 and 2000-2007. He joined the band during their commercial peak, providing drums for tours supporting their breakthrough album Cosmic Thing. Alford’s drumming was essential during some of the band’s most high-profile performances and tours during their mainstream success period.

Alford’s first tenure (1989-1992) coincided with the band’s most successful commercial period. His drumming supported live performances of hits like “Love Shack” and “Roam” as the band transitioned from cult favorites to mainstream stars. After a period away from the band, he returned (2000-2007) for tours supporting various compilations and the lead-up to their comeback album Funplex.

Outside the B-52s, Alford has established himself as a highly respected session and touring drummer. His resume includes work with major artists such as Bruce Springsteen, for whom he served as drummer for significant tours and recordings. He has also worked with David Bowie, Sheryl Crow, and numerous other prominent musicians, demonstrating his versatility across different musical styles and his reputation as a reliable, skilled musician.

Alford’s two separate periods with the B-52s suggest both his compatibility with their musical approach and the band’s satisfaction with his contributions. His experience with major acts like Springsteen brought professional expertise to the B-52s during their period of greatest visibility and commercial pressure. His drumming style adapted well to the band’s danceable rhythms while providing the solid foundation necessary for their energetic live performances.

Sara Lee

Sara Lee served as bass player for the B-52s during two separate touring periods: 1989-1992 and 1998-2002. She joined the band during their commercial breakthrough period, providing bass for tours supporting Cosmic Thing and Good Stuff. Her bass playing was integral to recreating the band’s studio sound in live settings during some of their most important touring years.

Lee’s first period with the band coincided with their greatest mainstream success, when songs like “Love Shack” and “Roam” required solid bass foundations for arena-sized audiences. Her playing helped translate Kate Pierson’s keyboard bass parts from the studio recordings into powerful live arrangements. She returned for a second period that included various touring activities and compilation album support.

Outside the B-52s, Lee has maintained a significant career as a session bassist and member of other notable bands. She was a member of Gang of Four, the influential post-punk band, where her bass playing was central to their sound. Her work with Gang of Four demonstrated her ability to handle complex, rhythm-driven material that required both technical skill and musical sensitivity.

Lee’s two periods with the B-52s suggest her effectiveness as a touring musician and the band’s appreciation for her contributions. Her experience with Gang of Four brought credibility and musical sophistication to the B-52s’ touring lineup during their period of greatest commercial visibility. Her bass style proved adaptable to the band’s evolution from underground favorites to mainstream icons while maintaining the integrity of their distinctive sound.

Julee Cruise

Julee Cruise served as a touring vocalist and percussionist for the B-52s from 1992-1994. She joined during the Good Stuff touring period, contributing additional vocals and percussion during live performances. Her tenure was relatively brief but occurred during an important transitional period for the band as they adapted to their post-Cosmic Thing identity.

Cruise’s contributions helped fill out the band’s vocal arrangements during live performances, supporting the harmonies between Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson while adding percussive elements. Her role was particularly important during the Good Stuff era, when the band was exploring different musical directions and needed additional vocal textures for their evolving sound.

Outside the B-52s, Cruise had established herself as a distinctive artist before joining the band’s touring lineup. She was best known for her work with composer Angelo Badalamenti and director David Lynch, particularly her haunting theme song “Falling” for the television series Twin Peaks. Her ethereal vocal style and association with Lynch’s surreal aesthetic brought a different artistic sensibility to her collaboration with the B-52s.

Cruise’s career highlights include multiple collaborations with Lynch and Badalamenti that helped define the atmospheric sound of Twin Peaks and related projects. Her distinctive vocal style, characterized by dreamy, floating melodies, made her a unique addition to the B-52s’ touring lineup. Julee Cruise – vocals, percussion (1992–1994; died 2022), marking the end of a career that had significant impact on both alternative music and television soundtrack composition.