American new wave band formed in Athens, Georgia in 1976. Lineup: Fred Schneider (vocals), Kate Pierson (vocals), Cindy Wilson (vocals), Ricky Wilson (guitar, died 1985), and Keith Strickland (guitar/drums). Pioneers of dance-oriented new wave with retro-pop aesthetics — beehive hairdos, kitsch imagery, and call-and-response vocals.
Eight studio albums starting with the 1979 self-titled debut (featuring "Rock Lobster"). Ricky Wilson died of AIDS in 1985. Commercial breakthrough came with Cosmic Thing (1989, featuring "Love Shack" and "Roam"). The band performed a 2022 farewell tour but continues to make occasional festival appearances.
