The B-52's: 35+ Years Of Virtuoso Eccentricity

The internet was scoured to collect the best performances (with a couple music videos) of the Athens, GA outfit. In all, from 1978 through 2013, there are 26 perfect examples (in chronological order) of carny music for a future generation.

1. “Downtown”, Performed In 1978

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From “B-52’s”, 1979

Downtown Cafe in Atlanta, GA

2. “Devil In My Car”, Performed In 1978

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From “Wild Planet”, 1980

Downtown Cafe in Atlanta, GA, 1978

3. “Rock Lobster”, Performed In 1980

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From “B-52’s”, 1979

“Countdown” (Australian TV Show)

4. “Dance This Mess Around”, Performed In 1980

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From “B-52’s”, 1979

SNL

5. “Dirty Back Road”, Performed In 1980

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From “Wild Planet”, 1980

“Pop Rock” (German TV Show)

6. “Mesopotamia”, Performed In 1982

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From “Mesopotamia” EP, 1982

US Music Festival

7. “Song for a Future Generation”, Performed In 1983

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From “Whammy!”, 1983

“Switch” (UK TV Show)

8. “Big Bird”, Performed In 1983

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From “Whammy!”, 1983

Dortmund, Germany concert

9. “Give Me Back My Man”, Performed In 1985

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From “Wild Planet”, 1980

Rock In Rio concert

10. “Party Out of Bounds”, Performed In 1985

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From “Wild Planet”, 1980

Rock In Rio concert

11. “Wig” & “Planet Claire”, 1987

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"Wig” from “Bouncing of the Satellites”, 1986 & “Planet Claire” is from “B-52’s”, 1979

“Get Fresh” (UK TV Show)

12. “Channel Z”, Released in 1989

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From “Cosmic Thing”, 1989

Music Video, 1989

13. “Love Shack”, Performed in 1989

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From “Cosmic Thing”, 1989

Late Night with David Letterman

14. “Quiche Lorraine”, Performed In 1990

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From “Wild Planet”, 1980

Cosmic Thing Tour

15. “Deadbeat Club”, Performed In 1990

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From “Cosmic Thing”, 1989

Cosmic Thing Tour

16. “Junebug”, Performed In 1990

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From “Cosmic Thing”, 1989

Cosmic Thing Tour

17. “Roam”, Performed In 1990

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From “Cosmic Thing”, 1989

MTV Live, 1990

18. “Good Stuff”, Performed In 1992

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From “Good Stuff” Performed In 1992

The Tonight Show

19. “Is That You Mo-Dean?”, Released In 1992

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From “Good Stuff”, 1992

Music Video

20. “Private Idaho”, Performed In 2000

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From “Wild Planet”, 1980

The Tonight Show

21. “Whammy Kiss”, Performed In 2002

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From “Whammy!”, 1983

Late Night with Conan

22. “Strobe Light”, Performed In 2007

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From “Wild Planet”, 1980

Benicassim Concert

23. “Juliet of the Spirits” Performed In 2008

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From “Funplex”, 2008

Live on KCRW, 2008

24. “Funplex” Performed In 2011

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From “Funplex”, 2008

“With The Wild Crowd” (34th Anniversary Concert)

25. “52 Girls”, Performed In 2012

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From “B-52’s”, 1979

Irving Plaza (NYC) Concert

26. “Legal Tender”, Performed in 2013

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From “Whammy!”, 1983

Ravinia (Chicago)