I directed the video live with two cameras. The club was so loud that even with headphones none of us could hear each other. I told the cameramen to do their best and I'd switch as needed. I had to shout once for camera one and twice for camera two so they'd know I was taking their camera. I probably had to dump from one to the other at 5:45 because of a dancer in the way or something.
I saw them in an arena in the early 80s, and during the "Down! Down!" part of this song, the entire arena full of people fell to the floor and jumped back up when the riff resumed. It was amazing.
While everyone else in the band is going completely wild, Ricky Wilson in his quiet genius, stands there stoically driving the whole performance forward as he cranks out the best rock guitar rifs ever. Gone but not forgotten.
@@paulwalrond8836 Yikes. If you think the entire world just stopped being creative except for a very small sliver of time that just happened to align with your youth, you might want to take a look inward first.
I saw the b-52's at the longhorn club in Minneapolis in the late '70s. They knew only six songs, and were quite proud of that, so they played Rock lobster several times. It was one of my first dates with my wife. We're still married we're like Rock Lobsters
Early vids? Led Zeppelin was a well established famous band and had already toured America 5 times before the song was composed for their 4th studio album.
LOVE THIS!!! I didn't know this video existed. My friends and I were all there at this concert. It was hot & sweaty and wonderful. We never missed a B's show anywhere near Atlanta from the birthday party at the Jewish Country Club on. I remember the first time going down down to the floor during Rock L. was at Emory Univ Dining Hall show even before this one. This band was way ahead of it's time and set the standard for Party bands. We honored them with gallons of sweat on the dancefloor.
That’s a amazing that you saw them at this time. I’ve been watching a few of their early live shows on CZcams and it has the vibe of going to the Rocky horror picture show viewing. It just looks do damn fun.
when we heard this stuff as teenagers back in the 70s we were blown away. It was so contagious and the girls were so pretty/strange - and the band so willing to go out on a limb and be plain weird, that we were addicted. right down to the Mosrite guitar with only 4 strings - and Kate's staccatto keyboarding - they were genius. I loved best when the girls sang together, like on dirty back road.
This song was fire from day one! The band is not as tight as they would be months later, but still the energy is there! This is internet gold! Thank you for posting!
I wonder if those lucky few in the audience that night had any idea about what a precious experience they were embarking upon? LONG LIVE THE B-52'S!!!!!!
I've posted on this before, but I'm drunk and watching it again, so i have to say this is the gig i would have killed to be at! if music was anymore exciting the world would explode!!! the best clip on youtube FACT!
So f$?@#% cool Imagine what it was to actually hear and see this young group for their first times Fantastic and how blessed are we for these unique geniuses to be in such a outstanding band ❤️👌💙😘
It's weird to think that 1) The B-52s started out rockin' out and 2) How little it takes to legitimately rock out. I've watched this video at least 50 times, and I'm always amazed. Thanks for uploading it!
LOVE THE B52S.... AND THIS PERFORMANCE IS REALLY EDGY,RAW AND BRILLIANTLY SHOWCASED ON THE FABULOUS YOU TUBE.. .PS YES ITS IN B&W OR MONOCHROME....AND IT ADDS TO THE MYSTIQUE OF ALL THE BAND.... THANKS GUYS
Blows me away to think that I was only 11 when this video-performance came out... I'm thinking they didn't really know how well this song would become years later; it has only gotten better over time -- such a long-lasting B-52's classic -- one of my all-time favs of the band.
I’m 50 as of 2018, and when b52’s came on the scene, (early 80’s) my dad was a high school teacher and musician as well. One of his high school student gave him a copy of this album and a Devo album. Needless to say that was a great time for me as an 8th grader listening to this on vinyl and being amazed!
Born in '78 & this is my fave song in the whole world.......EVER! I can't help but smile inside & want to rock the fuck out every time I hear it. Fab rare footage. Thanks for sharing :)
Words would not do justice to the feelings of gratitude i have to view/hear this recording.... all I can offer is my prayers of thanks.... Let's Rock!!!
i am not the type of guy who says, that in the past everything was better - but when i hear and see this video, there is a good reason to say so. ricky wilson r.i.p.
At 5:22, That was inspired by her love of Yoko Ono, believe it or not... And John Lennon came back to record because he loved the sound of the B-52s and their acceptance of Ono...
This band is FANTASTIC! Could you imagine being in that small club dancing to this ecstatic music -what lucky people. If there was any justice in the world this band would have been playing in arena's in 1979. So original. So fresh. So much fun!
I'm so glad you pointed that out. I was reading these comments and saw yours. I thought, "hmm, I must be around there somewhere" and looked up to find it was at 5:30. Just in time!
The B-52's were absolutely amazing. It's like someone had a grab bag of themes and said, "Ok, you have to mix these genres and do it well....Punk, Surf rock, New Wave and you have to dress with beehive hair-dos. Get to it." And get to it they did.
The importance of this video isnt the B 52s its the chain of events in music that led to this one of a kind and special bubble in music that isolated this special and unique band.....they were able to artisticly unite music theams that were so groundbreaking..... only those who were at that moment in time would be able to understand and experience music as it happens....music is now extinct...
Bullshit. Get off your ass and get out there like the audience in this vid had to. I went to a pub recently and 3 old guys were in there singing songs they'd written themselves and they were awesome. Never made it, never tried to. They just play because they love it. They were well rehearsed, tight, loud, raw and great. They had one song called jesus is a drug like any other and it was so catchy, witty, clever and just a bit too close to the bone for some there. That edginess is great. Like the edginess in this performance. I was just walking down the street and heard music and went in. Yep great music is alive and well.
Priceless. What a great song, great performance, and amazing snapshot of a band about to be as big as they deserve to be. For all their happy popness, there was also an interesting Gang-of-Four-ish feel to the rhythmic approach-- just listen to how they end the song. Thanks for putting this up!
This footage could be a crash course in effective songwriting arrangement and performance. They're still a bit rough around the edges but that just makes their momentum feel that much more spontaneous and genuine. I've been to a lot of great shows and see live acts at work everyday but I've rarely seen that kind of energy. Fucking amazing.
"Red snappers snapping -clam shells clapping-muscles flexing- flippers flapping." That is some frightening imagery.This song is a riot & a work of genius.
Qué buen material!!! 1978 y antes de que aparesca el disco!!! Yo tenía 6 años, pero a Lima (Perú) el primer single de los B-52's llegó en 1981 (Party out of Bounds). Rock Lobster es uno de los mejores temas de la historia del rock, y a partir del 5:19 simplemente lo máximo. Esa parte la voy a escuchar toda mi vida...
John Lennon before he died said this was the greatest band he ever heard. I agree. I saw these guys around 1980]79 at Roseland ballroom in NYC and it was the greatest concert I ever saw in my life. I was literally 2 feet from the stage, and at the end all these wallets and keys and coins were on the floor from these people freaking out so much LOL They were jumping and rolling around so much all their pockets emptied out.
Yo tenía como nueve años cuando bailabamos ese tema magnifico e inolvidable en las fiestas de cuempleaños en mi HOGAR!!!! Nunca me olvidaré los grandes momentos bailando ese tema, grande los B-52´s !!!!LOs admiro...
I directed the video live with two cameras. The club was so loud that even with headphones none of us could hear each other. I told the cameramen to do their best and I'd switch as needed. I had to shout once for camera one and twice for camera two so they'd know I was taking their camera. I probably had to dump from one to the other at 5:45 because of a dancer in the way or something.
Awesome - great to know how you managed to direct this musical mayhem.
Are you serious??? So lucky!!! I was one year old at the the time. So jealous!!!
the world owes you a debt of gratitude, sir! Would've loved to have been there. Apparently the highest singer in the south on that night!
The cameras were HUGE too. Thought you were gonna give me a concussion if you panned left.
thank you for capturing their best version! i'm an old bastard of 59 so in know how good this is! fab! Tx
Amazing how Kate did the bass line and all the melody organ on the keyboards, while still managing to sing. What a talented chick.
I saw them in an arena in the early 80s, and during the "Down! Down!" part of this song, the entire arena full of people fell to the floor and jumped back up when the riff resumed. It was amazing.
was there! 18 years young!
Wowsers. Fun stuff!
I wish I was there right now!
:)!!! Lucky you!!!
Nobody take pictures?
lies.
Ricky Wilson is one of the most underrated guitarists. Completely original style.
I heard he removed the middle two strings of his guitar.
Ricky Wilson is not underrated, he's a legend.
ta dah
Absolutely!
@@WingsOfDay Both
still one of the most punk performances out here !
Absolutely
without a doubt!
Rockabilly
While everyone else in the band is going completely wild, Ricky Wilson in his quiet genius, stands there stoically driving the whole performance forward as he cranks out the best rock guitar rifs ever. Gone but not forgotten.
I have to agree, I'd like to hear just guitar as a separate video/ audio file.
Amazing
Ricky was so gifted, I meant to say, he didn't didn't string the two middle strings
I experienced my first pot high whilst at a B52’s concert with my first boyfriend. Damn I loved that band- still do. They touch my soul.
I was there! What a night!
at that time i was 5 years old... tell us the history ... i loved the 70s and 80s ...
oydave I didn’t see you there.
never forget my first vist to the...South...dang they know how to have a good time
oh what a night - in 1962 oh what a night
This performance crushes anything out today. Just balls blazing rock.
Completely agree!!!
Complete talent, that's lost today. No creativity at all today. Almost everything is done by machine.
@@paulwalrond8836 Yikes. If you think the entire world just stopped being creative except for a very small sliver of time that just happened to align with your youth, you might want to take a look inward first.
Jesus, this is the best garage band ever!
I saw the b-52's at the longhorn club in Minneapolis in the late '70s. They knew only six songs, and were quite proud of that, so they played Rock lobster several times. It was one of my first dates with my wife. We're still married we're like Rock Lobsters
I remember hearing this song for the first time around 1980 and it was so fresh like nothing else I had heard and still sounds like that now ...
I really can't believe that this song is that old. Such a great band a great song. Long live the B-52s.
It's like the early vids of LedZep doing "Stairway to Heaven"; the people watching have no idea of the history they're witnessing.
Truly ...
yeah, we all don't appreciate the book learning. Nobody is smart besides you. Typical liberal bs.
''It's like the early vids of LedZep doing "Stairway to Heaven" You can't compare Stairway to heaven to a shellfish song....
Early vids? Led Zeppelin was a well established famous band and had already toured America 5 times before the song was composed for their 4th studio album.
john thomas oww you mean the small intro part made by taurus? thats nothing
I like Fred's statement at the end. His life changed a month later
I first heard this song at a party October 1979. I was a college freshman and it blew my mind. Disco was in the dust and New Wave was it!
Me too!
I'm 52 years old and I can't believe how much i still like this. The first time I heard it was on SNL.
This is why CZcams is great.. A gem of a video.
LOVE THIS!!! I didn't know this video existed. My friends and I were all there at this concert. It was hot & sweaty and wonderful. We never missed a B's show anywhere near Atlanta from the birthday party at the Jewish Country Club on. I remember the first time going down down to the floor during Rock L. was at Emory Univ Dining Hall show even before this one. This band was way ahead of it's time and set the standard for Party bands. We honored them with gallons of sweat on the dancefloor.
“Honored them with gallons of sweat on the dance floor” Beautiful sentiment.
That’s a amazing that you saw them at this time. I’ve been watching a few of their early live shows on CZcams and it has the vibe of going to the Rocky horror picture show viewing.
It just looks do damn fun.
when we heard this stuff as teenagers back in the 70s we were blown away. It was so contagious and the girls were so pretty/strange - and the band so willing to go out on a limb and be plain weird, that we were addicted.
right down to the Mosrite guitar with only 4 strings - and Kate's staccatto keyboarding - they were genius.
I loved best when the girls sang together, like on dirty back road.
still one of the most punk performances out here !
I love at about 5:46 when Kate goes into the bass part she does a little wiggle.
the off key and off tempo segments make this performance a true classic.
Anything with drugs sounds better
This song was fire from day one! The band is not as tight as they would be months later, but still the energy is there!
This is internet gold! Thank you for posting!
Paulo Santiago I don't know I think they are pretty damn tight here for such a song as this
I wonder if those lucky few in the audience that night had any idea about what a precious experience they were embarking upon? LONG LIVE THE B-52'S!!!!!!
Every single time I’ve heard this song for the past 40+ years, I wished it was 30 minutes longer ❤️
I've posted on this before, but I'm drunk and watching it again, so i have to say this is the gig i would have killed to be at! if music was anymore exciting the world would explode!!!
the best clip on youtube FACT!
Dont forget, waitresses work for tips ;)
Completely agree!!!
So f$?@#% cool
Imagine what it was to actually hear and see this young group for their first times
Fantastic and how blessed are we for these unique geniuses to be in such a outstanding band ❤️👌💙😘
They absolutely start shredding at 5:20 min !!!!! So classic! Wish people made music like this now a days!
They freaking rocked that song
This is undoubtedly the BEST Music Video EVER recorded....those people in the audienc had NO idea they'd be a part of MUSIC HISTORY! ROCK ROCK
Gawd this shit is priceless!
Props to the sound man!
Joseph Sullivan Indeed!
I'm so glad there are a million+ other people out there that think this is cool too
It's weird to think that 1) The B-52s started out rockin' out and 2) How little it takes to legitimately rock out. I've watched this video at least 50 times, and I'm always amazed. Thanks for uploading it!
Same as nirvana
LOVE THE B52S.... AND THIS PERFORMANCE IS REALLY EDGY,RAW AND BRILLIANTLY SHOWCASED ON THE FABULOUS YOU TUBE..
.PS YES ITS IN B&W OR MONOCHROME....AND IT ADDS TO THE MYSTIQUE OF ALL THE BAND.... THANKS GUYS
Amazingly close to the final released form of the song.
Agreed - so tight.... real rhythm kings.
Amazing performance. Saw raw and real. Fred looks so young! "I'm a waiter" he says. You can sense their youthful energy and hunger. Great stuff!
So young. His arms look like they've been squeezed out of a toothpaste tube that morning.
Blows me away to think that I was only 11 when this video-performance came out... I'm thinking they didn't really know how well this song would become years later; it has only gotten better over time -- such a long-lasting B-52's classic -- one of my all-time favs of the band.
I love u guys, RIP Ricky.
I love how raw and unrefined its so real uk!
At 5:44 Kate Pierson starts that baseline on the Korg. Love it!
Still the greatest party song ever.
History, no copies, real thing.
One of THE important punk/new wave bands, along with Ramones, Blondie. Very original.
Magnificent performance
So old yet so amazing !
What a stellar performance, I really wish I could see them live in person.
That's so great about CZcams.
You gotta see these moments in musical history…
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
I’m 50 as of 2018, and when b52’s came on the scene, (early 80’s) my dad was a high school teacher and musician as well. One of his high school student gave him a copy of this album and a Devo album. Needless to say that was a great time for me as an 8th grader listening to this on vinyl and being amazed!
We used to see them around Atlanta. Timeless. Kate is beautiful!!!
Born in '78 & this is my fave song in the whole world.......EVER!
I can't help but smile inside & want to rock the fuck out every time I hear it.
Fab rare footage. Thanks for sharing :)
it's so beautiful
it's so good we have band like The B-52's!
Amazing. Anyone who thinks the B52s are just a novelty act isn't listening. They were so good and so influential on so many fronts.
very cool seeing this iconic song and group before "it" all happened. the melodies and structure of this song is genius.
New Wave Music at its best!! This song will never get old or go out of style.
This is so cool.
Oh Yeah!
Bought this the day it was released in London, great days
GREAT GREAT Version Live , Must have been Surreal to have been there , What an experience !
all of a sudden Athens was on the map in the arts
I love how the back ground vocals are off pitch at times. Even the B 52s we’re rookies at one time. Killer performance though. !!!!!
Words would not do justice to the feelings of gratitude i have to view/hear this recording.... all I can offer is my prayers of thanks.... Let's Rock!!!
Imagine everybody hearing this for the first time... The crowd is going nuts!
Ricky Wilson, so good. RIP
Interesting to see such an old recording. Must have been such a groundbreakingly new sound at that time.
i am not the type of guy who says, that in the past everything was better - but when i hear and see this video, there is a good reason to say so. ricky wilson r.i.p.
At 5:22, That was inspired by her love of Yoko Ono, believe it or not... And John Lennon came back to record because he loved the sound of the B-52s and their acceptance of Ono...
Don't remember exact details, but based on what I remember reading back in the day, you're spot on with your assessment.
Excellent point.
Thank you kmills74
Amazing Footage. You can tell how well rehearsed they were because that isn't an easy song to do.
Born in 1964 and raised on rock and this tunes ROCKS!
This band is FANTASTIC! Could you imagine being in that small club dancing to this ecstatic music -what lucky people. If there was any justice in the world this band would have been playing in arena's in 1979. So original. So fresh. So much fun!
i find it spectacular that in the "down" part they really lower their bodies, genius Fred!!!
I love at about 5:46 when Kate goes into the bass part she does a little wiggle.
Me too, so sexy :)
I'm so glad you pointed that out. I was reading these comments and saw yours. I thought, "hmm, I must be around there somewhere" and looked up to find it was at 5:30. Just in time!
She is dying just to dance!
She had a lot of jobs in the band. I'm always amazed when she could sing and play the bass line on the keyboards at the same time.
The B-52's were absolutely amazing. It's like someone had a grab bag of themes and said, "Ok, you have to mix these genres and do it well....Punk, Surf rock, New Wave and you have to dress with beehive hair-dos. Get to it." And get to it they did.
Great time capsule ! Great live performance. I miss those days.
The importance of this video isnt the B 52s its the chain of events in music that led to this one of a kind and special bubble in music that isolated this special and unique band.....they were able to artisticly unite music theams that were so groundbreaking..... only those who were at that moment in time would be able to understand and experience music as it happens....music is now extinct...
Bullshit. Get off your ass and get out there like the audience in this vid had to. I went to a pub recently and 3 old guys were in there singing songs they'd written themselves and they were awesome. Never made it, never tried to. They just play because they love it. They were well rehearsed, tight, loud, raw and great. They had one song called jesus is a drug like any other and it was so catchy, witty, clever and just a bit too close to the bone for some there.
That edginess is great. Like the edginess in this performance. I was just walking down the street and heard music and went in.
Yep great music is alive and well.
Hey Fred.... More Cowbell!!!!
Great performance!
This Band made the late 70s bearable. Most exciting band in America.
Friggin awesome! It really is! Rambuctiously raw and all the better for it!
Priceless. What a great song, great performance, and amazing snapshot of a band about to be as big as they deserve to be. For all their happy popness, there was also an interesting Gang-of-Four-ish feel to the rhythmic approach-- just listen to how they end the song. Thanks for putting this up!
great original footage of my and Americas favorite party band.great post
If this came out yesterday I would be blown away... this was 34 years ago, how awesome is that!?
Amazing......Awesome......unforgettable my high schol... this song drunky..funky Lima Perú , what times 😌
Freds days as a waiter were soon to be over :-)
Historic video for damn sure
This is as good as it gets! Thanks for sharing!
Holy Crud! That was intense! Would have loved to seen them in a small venue like that early on.
God this is sooooooooooo classic. I actually was a teenager when this first came out! LOL
Great video of a fun, creative band. Thanks for posting.
This footage could be a crash course in effective songwriting arrangement and performance. They're still a bit rough around the edges but that just makes their momentum feel that much more spontaneous and genuine. I've been to a lot of great shows and see live acts at work everyday but I've rarely seen that kind of energy. Fucking amazing.
Yeah, live music in a stuffy bar or room is just the best experience.
Warts and all performances are the very best.
This is a master class actually
Raw at its finest!!!
or a crash course on I need a new video camera
secpac58chichi Lol
"Red snappers snapping -clam shells clapping-muscles flexing- flippers flapping." That is some frightening imagery.This song is a riot & a work of genius.
this is the best version of the song fresh and fast pitched. lots of energy.
Qué buen material!!! 1978 y antes de que aparesca el disco!!! Yo tenía 6 años, pero a Lima (Perú) el primer single de los B-52's llegó en 1981 (Party out of Bounds).
Rock Lobster es uno de los mejores temas de la historia del rock, y a partir del 5:19 simplemente lo máximo. Esa parte la voy a escuchar toda mi vida...
what a find, thanks for posting
I love it as much as I did back in 1979!!
Pure art , i love it, wish i was there.
John Lennon before he died said this was the greatest band he ever heard. I agree. I saw these guys around 1980]79 at Roseland ballroom in NYC and it was the greatest concert I ever saw in my life. I was literally 2 feet from the stage, and at the end all these wallets and keys and coins were on the floor from these people freaking out so much LOL They were jumping and rolling around so much all their pockets emptied out.
Yo tenía como nueve años cuando bailabamos ese tema magnifico e inolvidable en las fiestas de cuempleaños en mi HOGAR!!!! Nunca me olvidaré los grandes momentos bailando ese tema, grande los B-52´s !!!!LOs admiro...
An instant classic!
Before the album. This is a great find.
I can't believe how good the audio is on this.
Ricky's tone sounds even better than the album cut.
Great stuff. Thanks for putting this up!
I love the girl makin those "noises"
Cindy Wilson. Her older brother Ricky was the guitarist, they were from Athens, GA
Kate was making those noises too
Cindy and Katie both were making those crazy noises. They could have had a job making sound effects in cartoons.