Ricky Wilson

An aging rock star trying to put together a new album in the face of an indifferent record label and a talentless producer. At the same time, he's struggling to save his failing marriage.

Taken in one concentrated best-of dose, it becomes evident what a coup The B-52's pulled off when they turned their own concentrated craziness into genuine hits. This is some of the weirdest stuff ever to make the charts, much less beloved by the masses. It's all here through the mad surf guitar of Ricky Wilson (and later Keith Strickland), the banshee wails of Cindy Wilson and Kate Pierson, and, of course, the, um, well, let's say vocalizing of freaky Fred Schneider. "Party out of Bounds" with a "Rock Lobster" on "Planet Claire," or "Roam" over to the "Love Shack" in "Private Idaho." Whatever you do in The B-52's universe will at least be good, clean, perverse fun

Led by the success of the B-52's and R.E.M., Athens, Georgia was the most happening music scene in the country by the mid 80's. Following several different bands from different genres, this film paints Athens as a magical artistic environment where bands are not in competition, but co-exist in harmony and share the ideals of the land. Live performances of R.E.M.'s "Swan Swan H" and "Dream (All I Have To Do)" at the Lucy Cobb Institute chapel are included. Also featured are performances and interviews frm the B-52's, Pylon, B-B-Que Killers, Time Toy, Jim Herbert, Flat Duo Jets, Love Tractor, Kilkenny Cats, Squalls and more

The B-52's recorded live at the 1982 US Festival.

By November of 1980, the B-52’s had two albums under their belt and were two months away from their debut Saturday Night Live performance. The New Wave band were quickly rising to national fame, and they were still touring with the original lineup which consisted of frontman Fred Schneider (who in this set’s liner notes is credited as playing both the glockenspiel and “various toys”), Cindy Wilson, Ricky Wilson, Kate Pierson and Keith Strickland.

The B-52s live concert performance at the US Festival in 1982.