Page 30 - ARUBA TODAY

A30 PEOPLE & ARTS
Saturday 7 July 2018
The B-52s are touring on their 40th anniversary - sort of

By JOHN CARUCCI of vocalist Cindy Wilson.
Associated Press "There's always ups and
NEW YORK (AP) — The B-52s downs in 40 years. And
are celebrating their 40th Ricky's death in 1985 was
anniversary this year. But definitely a point where we
they also may celebrate thought we wouldn't go on.
it next year. That is, if they People always ask, 'Did you
haven't already hit the envision that you would
milestone. have gone on for 40 years?'
There's no fuzzy math You know, that seemed like
here — it's a just matter of the end," Pierson said.
which date adequately Instead, they rebounded
represents the origin of the with "Cosmic Thing," and
band, which began in Ath- scored their most success-
ens, Georgia. ful album, and biggest hit
Vocalist Fred Schneider single, "Love Shack" in 1989.
considers 2018 as their ruby Pierson attributes their lon-
anniversary. "This is 40 years gevity to friendship above
since our first single came all else.
out," Schneider said. That "We all maintained our con-
was the year they released nections and our friend-
the song, "Rock Lobster." ships, which we've main-
The band's other vocalist, tained over all these years.
Kate Pierson, interprets their We still like each other, love
anniversary a bit more lib- each other, and we realize
erally. that this was a way to heal
"We started in 1976 jam- In this June 21, 2018 photo, Kate Pierson, left, and Fred Schneider, of The B-52s, pose for a portrait and a way to really bring
ming and we played our in New York to promote their 40th anniversary. Ricky back into the mix. I
first show on Valentine's Associated Press think a lot of the songs re-
Day 1977, so we can mark called that time in Athens
40 from there or we can anniversary because it's reputation as "the world's had some dark days, most with Ricky," Pierson said.
mark 40 from 1979 when flexible." greatest party band" has notably the death of found- She jokes about what
we did our first record," Pier- While the actual date may thrived since the late 1970s. ing member Ricky Wilson, would happen if the band
son said, referring to their be a "Cosmic Thing" — just Yet, while their sound re- who succumbed to AIDS in were to try to make it
eponymous album. as the title of their fifth al- mained upbeat, the band 1985. He is the older brother today.q
Then she added: "It's flex- bum and hit song — there's
ible. We're milking the 40 no discrepancy that their
Radio and television personality

Ed Schultz dies at 64

show on MSNBC, died on II in passing while quarter-
Thursday, according to his back at Minnesota State
son. He was 64. University-Moorhead. After
Schultz died in Washington, trying out for NFL and Ca-
where he anchored "News nadian teams, he started
with Ed Schultz," the flag- a career as a TV and radio
ship show on RT America, sportscaster in the region
a Russian-funded station around Fargo and Moor-
formerly known as Russia head along the Minnesota-
Today. Schultz also hosted North Dakota border.
"The Ed Show" on MSNBC He later became a conser-
from 2009 to 2015. vative radio talk show host,
His son David Schultz, who but he was a fiery liberal by
lives in Fargo, North Dakota, the time he took his show
said his father died of natu- into national syndication in
ral causes but declined to 2004.
provide further details. Schultz also kept a home
This Feb. 12, 2004, file photo
shows radio talk-show host Ed "He was an unbelievable on Big Detroit Lake in Min-
Schultz in Fargo, N.D. father and husband," his nesota, where his college
Associated Press son said. "His family and coach, Ross Fortier, also
friends are extremely, ex- lives, according to Larry
Associated Press tremely sad right now. And Scott, the school's athlet-
FARGO, N.D. (AP) — Veter- we thank everyone for their ics spokesman. Schultz and
an broadcasting personal- thoughts and prayers, as his former coach remained
ity Ed Schultz, whose career well as privacy for our fam- close over the decades,
took him from quarterback- ily though this time." Scott said.
ing at a Minnesota college Schultz blossomed as a col- Schultz is survived by
to national radio and tele- lege football player in 1977, his wife, Wendy, and six
vision, including hosting a when he led NCAA Division children.q