New-wave party band returns with soaring hairdos, harmonies
With 35 years of live shows under their belts and more than 20 million records sold, rock icons the B-52s will kick off the Oregon Zoo's 2012 summer concert series, presented by Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon with support from U.S. Bank, on June 22.
Named for the soaring beehive hairdos often favored by singers Cindy Wilson and Kate Pierson, the B-52s played their debut gig at a friend's house on Valentine's Day 1977. "Rock Lobster," their first single, became an underground sensation the following year, and several hit records later, the B-52s achieved their biggest commercial success on 1989's "Cosmic Thing," which spawned the signature smash "Love Shack," as well as hits like "Roam" and "Deadbeat Club."
As the B-52s take their party-music revolution through its 35th year, they show no signs of slowing down. As always, the band's sound is marked by Wilson and Pierson's dazzling harmonies and the wry spoken-word vocals of Fred Schneider.
Tickets for the B-52s are $33 and can be purchased at the zoo during normal operating hours. Tickets can also be purchased (with service charge) at all Ticketmaster ticket centers, online at Ticketmaster.com and by phone at 800-745-3000. Purchase of a concert ticket allows entry into the zoo after 4 p.m; the concert begins at 7 p.m.
Along with the B-52s, the zoo concert series will be showcasing a variety of world-renowned artists – from reggae superstar Jimmy Cliff to blues legend Buddy Guy to hometown heroes Pink Martini – before finishing in mid-September with a performance by classic-rock favorites Chicago. Other notables this year include Ziggy Marley, Melissa Etheridge, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, k.d. lang and Rosanne Cash.
More information and full schedule. In 1979, the Oregon Zoo became the first in America to host a summer concert series. Now, the series is one of the top outdoor events in the Northwest, and is the region's longest continuously running outdoor series.
Oregon Zoo Summer Concerts is presented by Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon with support from U.S. Bank and media support from The Oregonian.