The B-52's: Last News

‘Weird Al’ Yankovic‘s name has often “come up in conversations” over inductions into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.Chairman John Sykes recently spoke about the process around selecting and vetting candidates and confirmed that Yankovic’s name had come up.He told Vulture: “He’s a genius. He has made brilliant versions of the songs, but I’ll be honest, he’s never made it close to the ballot.”Sykes also said Phil Collins, The B-52s, Pixies and Joe Cocker have also been discussed.Speaking about Collins he added: “He’s come up in meetings so much.

The B-52’s have announced that they’ll be extending their ‘LOVESHACK’ residency in Las Vegas into 2025 with five new dates in April – buy tickets here.READ MORE: The B-52s: “If someone’s ruining ‘Love Shack’ on karaoke, I’ll get up there and save it!”The new wave four-piece, performing as a trio since Keith Strickland stepped back from touring in 2013, began their residency in 2023, and are set to continue the run of shows with five more nights at The Venetian Theatre between April 11 and 19, following their final 2024 dates there later this month. There’s also a show in their hometown of Athens, Georgia, on December 14.The artist presale begins tomorrow (November 13) at 10am PT (6pm GMT) with the code ‘LOVESHACK25’, while Live Nation presale begins on Thursday (November 14) at 10am PT (6pm GMT) with the code ‘BEATS’.General sale opens the following day (November 14) at 10am PT (6pm GMT) – get tickets here.A post shared by B-52s (@theb52sband)The residency caps off the band’s ‘Farewell Tour’, which began in 2022 and has seen them take in a variety of the biggest cities in the US.

The B-52s‘ scheduled concert at the White House last night (October 25) was cancelled due to the “sorrow and pain” of the Israel-Hamas war.The US new wave band – best known for their 1989 hit single ‘Love Shack’ – were set to play at an official state dinner for the Australian PM Anthony Albanese, hosted by the US President Joe Biden.In a statement, First Lady Jill Biden said (via The Guardian): “While we had initially planned for the legendary B-52s to perform their iconic dance and party music, we are now in a time when so many are facing sorrow and pain, and we have decided to make adjustments to the entertainment portion of the evening.”It is reported that The B-52s – who are named after a US bomber aircraft – instead attended the state dinner as guests. Presidential military bands provided “instrumental music” in the group’s place.Albanese arrived at the White House on Tuesday (October 24) ahead of a formal state visit yesterday, when he reportedly discussed topics such as Ukraine, China and the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.“Nurturing our partnerships and relationships with our allies is critically important, especially in these tumultuous times,” Jill Biden continued.

The B-52s have shared a statement denouncing the “numerous bills that promote transphobia and discrimination” against transgender people and drag artists in the US.Last week, it was revealed that Tennessee’s governor, Bill Lee, had signed a law banning drag performances in front of children, passed alongside separate legislation to restrict gender affirming-healthcare for transgender youth.The statute is the first of its kind to be enacted in the US, with politicians in numerous other Republic-run states reportedly pushing for similar laws.The B-52s are the latest band to speak out against the legislation, sharing on Twitter: “Dear fellow citizens, We, The B-52’s, are deeply concerned about the numerous new bills that promote transphobia and discrimination against transgender individuals and drag artists, which have been introduced in the United States.“We strongly denounce these bills and stand in solidarity with out LGBTQ+ community.”Dear fellow citizens,We, The B-52’s, are deeply concerned about the numerous new bills that promote transphobia and discrimination against transgender individuals and drag artists, which have been introduced in the United States.

The B-52’s have announced details of a North American farewell tour – get your tickets here and see the full list of dates below.The band, best known for their hits ‘Love Shack’ and ‘Rock Lobster’, formed in October 1976 over a shared flaming volcano cocktail at the Hunan Chinese Restaurant. They released their self-titled debut album in 1979, produced by Chris Blackwell via Island Records.Back in 2019, they played a summer farewell tour in the UK, after celebrating their 40th anniversary the year prior by co-headlining a North American tour with Boy George & Culture Club and Thompson Twins’ Tom Bailey.The new tour dates begin in Seattle in August and will see The B-52’s supported by The Tubes and KC & The Sunshine Band.Check out the full list of dates below, and buy tickets here.AUGUST 202222 – Seattle, McCaw Hall *SEPTEMBER 202229 – Mashantucket, Foxwoods Casino ^30 – Boston, MGM Music Hall ^OCTOBER 20221 – Washington DC, The Anthem ^7 – Chicago, Chicago Theatre ^13 – New York, Beacon Theatre ^14 – New York, Beacon Theatre ^15 – Atlantic City, Ovation Hall – Ocean Casino ^19 – Las Vegas, The Venetian Theatre21 – Las Vegas, The Venetian Theatre22 – Las Vegas, The Venetian Theatre28 – San Francisco, The Masonic Auditorium *29 – San Francisco, The Masonic Auditorium *NOVEMBER4 – Los Angeles, YouTube Theater ^11 – Atlanta, The Fox Theatre ^*with The Tubes^with KC & The Sunshine Band Back in 2015, The B-52’s Kate Pierson released a debut solo album featuring a song co-written by The Strokes‘ Nick Valensi and Sia.The new wave icons released their last studio album, ‘Funplex’, in 2008.