Kate Pierson

Last updated

Kate Pierson
The B-52s (3424905405).jpg
Pierson performing with the B-52s in 2009
Background information
Birth nameCatherine Elizabeth Pierson
Born (1948-04-27) April 27, 1948 (age 75)
Weehawken, New Jersey, U.S.
Genres Rock, new wave
Occupation(s)Musician
Instrument(s)
  • Vocals
  • keyboards
  • guitar
  • bass
  • percussion
Years active1979–present

Catherine Elizabeth Pierson (born April 27, 1948) [1] is an American singer, lyricist, and founding member of the B-52s. She plays guitar, bass and various keyboard instruments. In the early years, as well as being a vocalist, Pierson was the main keyboard player and performed on a keyboard bass during live shows and on many of the band's recordings, taking on a role usually filled by a bass guitar player, which differentiated the band from their contemporaries. This, along with Pierson's distinctive wide-ranging singing voice, remains a trademark of the B-52s' unique sound. Pierson has also collaborated with many other artists including the Ramones, Iggy Pop and R.E.M. Pierson possesses a mezzo-soprano vocal range.

Contents

In February 2015, Pierson released her first solo album, Guitars and Microphones , featuring material co-written by Sia. [2] She later released the non-album single "Better Not Sting the Bee", and then she released an April 16, 2016 cover of "Venus" as a single. Side B included "Radio In Bed" written by Kate and her wife Monica Coleman. Both tracks were produced by Jack White.

Early life and education

Pierson was born in Weehawken, New Jersey, and raised in Rutherford. [3] [4] [5]

Pierson briefly attended Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois before transferring to Boston University, where she earned a journalism degree. [6] She then traveled around Europe for a time in the 1970s, including six months working as a barmaid in The Anson pub in Wallsend, UK, [7] before returning to the U.S. and moving to Athens, Georgia, where she lived on a farm and earned a living as a paste-up artist in the type shop of the local newspaper. [8]

Music career

Pierson met up with the other members of what would become the B-52s while living in Athens, Georgia. [9] The band formed in October 1976 and played a few parties before heading to New York to play some shows. [10] Eventually, Pierson and the other band members began commuting between Athens and New York, playing gigs. [11]

Personal life

Pierson was married to Brian Cokayne, a Mancunian, whom she met while living in Europe between 1971 and 1973. [12]

From 1981 to 1996, Pierson was in a relationship with artist Tim Rollins. [13]

In 2003, Pierson started a relationship with artist and designer Monica Coleman. They got married on August 3, 2015. [14]

Pierson and Coleman are the owners of Kate's Lazy Desert in Landers, California, Kate's Lazy Cabin in Woodstock, New York, New York's Catskill Mountains and Kate's Lazy Cape located on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. [15] They operate the businesses together. [16] [17]

In a 2015 interview, Pierson stated that she identifies as bisexual. [18]

Collaborations

Albums

Film and television

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The B-52s</span> American rock band

The B-52s, originally presented as the B-52's, are an American new wave band formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1976. The original lineup consisted of Fred Schneider, Kate Pierson, Cindy Wilson, Ricky Wilson (guitar), and Keith Strickland. Ricky Wilson died of AIDS-related illness in 1985, and Strickland switched from drums to lead guitar. The band has also added various members for albums and live performances.

<i>The B-52s</i> (album) 1979 studio album by the B-52s

The B-52's is the debut album by American New wave band the B-52's. The kitschy lyrics and mood, and the hook-laden harmonies helped establish a fanbase for the band, who went on to release several chart-topping singles. The album cover was designed by Tony Wright.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fred Schneider</span> American musician

Frederick William Schneider III is an American singer-songwriter and frontman of the rock band the B-52's, of which he is a founding member. Schneider is well known for his sprechgesang, which he developed from reciting poetry over guitars.

<i>Wild Planet</i> 1980 studio album by the B-52s

Wild Planet is the second studio album by American new wave band the B-52's, released in 1980 by Warner Bros. Records.

<i>Good Stuff</i> 1992 studio album by the B-52s

Good Stuff is the sixth studio album by American new wave band the B-52's, released in 1992 by Reprise Records. It was conceived after the band's manager urged them to quickly issue a follow-up to their highly successful album Cosmic Thing (1989) and was created without founding member Cindy Wilson, who was on a temporary hiatus. The album peaked at No. 16 on the Billboard 200 and its title track peaked at No. 28 on the Billboard Hot 100. Good Stuff was nominated for Best Alternative Music Album at the 35th Annual Grammy Awards.

<i>Cosmic Thing</i> 1989 studio album by the B-52s

Cosmic Thing is the fifth studio album by American new wave band the B-52's, released in 1989 by Reprise Records. It contains the singles "Love Shack", "Roam" and "Deadbeat Club", which reached the Top 10, 20 and 30 of the US Billboard Hot 100 charts, respectively. The music video for "Love Shack" won the award for Best Group Video at the 1990 MTV Video Music Awards. Six of the album's songs were produced by Nile Rodgers in New York City, and the remaining four by Don Was in upstate New York.

<i>Whammy!</i> 1983 studio album by the B-52s

Whammy! is the third studio album by American new wave band the B-52's, released on April 27, 1983, by Warner Bros. Records. It was recorded at Compass Point Studios in Nassau, Bahamas, in December 1982 and produced by Steven Stanley. The album spawned three singles: "Legal Tender", "Whammy Kiss", and "Song for a Future Generation".

<i>Bouncing Off the Satellites</i> 1986 studio album by the B-52s

Bouncing off the Satellites is the fourth studio album by American new wave band the B-52's, released on September 8, 1986, by Warner Bros. Records. It was recorded in July 1985 and was produced by Tony Mansfield. Founding member and guitarist Ricky Wilson died of AIDS after most of the work on the album was completed, but a year prior to its release. The B-52's had gone on hiatus by the time Bouncing Off the Satellites was released, and it took three years for the band to recover from Wilson's death and release their next studio album, Cosmic Thing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cindy Wilson</span> American singer-songwriter and musician

Cynthia Leigh Wilson is an American musician and one of the vocalists, songwriters and founding members of new wave rock band the B-52's. She is noted for her distinctive contralto voice and also plays percussion during live shows. She is the younger sister of the late guitarist Ricky Wilson (1953–1985), who was also a founding member of the band.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ricky Wilson (guitarist)</span> American guitarist (1953–1985)

Ricky Helton Wilson was an American musician best known as the original guitarist and founding member of rock band the B-52s. Born in Athens, Georgia, Wilson was the brother of fellow member Cindy Wilson. The B-52s were founded in 1976, when Ricky, Cindy, Kate Pierson, Keith Strickland and Fred Schneider shared a tropical flaming volcano drink at a Chinese restaurant and, after an impromptu music session at the home of their friend Owen Scott III, played for the first time at a Valentine's Day party for friends. Wilson's unusual guitar tunings were a large contribution to the band's quirky sound.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rock Lobster</span> 1978 single by the B-52s

"Rock Lobster" is a song written by Fred Schneider and Ricky Wilson, two members of the B-52's. It was twice recorded and released as a single, first by DB Records as their debut release in April 1978, and again the following year for the band's self-titled debut album on Warner Bros. Records.

<i>Party Mix!</i> 1981 remix album by the B-52s

Party Mix! is a remix album by American new wave band the B-52's, originally released in 1981 by Warner Bros. Records.

<i>Mesopotamia</i> (EP) 1982 EP by the B-52s

Mesopotamia is an EP by American new wave band the B-52's, released in 1982. It was produced by David Byrne of Talking Heads and was originally planned to be the band's third studio album. Due to conflicts with Byrne and record label pressure, recording sessions were aborted prematurely and only six of ten songs to be completed were released. The record was distributed as a 12-inch EP by Warner Bros. in the U.S. and by Island Records on vinyl and cassette in the UK and other non-U.S. markets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roam</span> 1989 single by the B-52s

"Roam" is a song by American new wave band the B-52's released as the fourth single from their fifth studio album, Cosmic Thing (1989). The vocals are sung by Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson, making it the only vocal track on the album without any vocal involvement from Fred Schneider. It is also the only track from the album in which the B-52's worked with a co-writer, Robert Waldrop, who penned the lyrics. Released as a single in 1989, "Roam" peaked at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100 and entered the top 10 in Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand.

<i>Funplex</i> Album by The B-52s

Funplex is the seventh studio album by the B-52s, recorded during 2006 and 2007. The album was released on March 25, 2008 by Astralwerks Records. It was the first album of new material the group had released since Good Stuff in 1992, although the band did record two new songs for their 1998 compilation album Time Capsule: Songs for a Future Generation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Legal Tender (song)</span> 1983 single by the B-52s

"Legal Tender" is the first single released by American new wave band the B-52's from their third studio album Whammy! (1983).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dance This Mess Around</span> 1979 single by the B-52s

"Dance This Mess Around" is a song by American new wave band The B-52's. It was released in 1979, as the third and final single from their self-titled debut album. The song features Cindy Wilson on lead vocals, as well as Fred Schneider and Kate Pierson, and has become a live favorite, even 40 years after its release. It was heard once in Alex Strangelove.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love Shack</span> 1989 dance song by the B-52s

"Love Shack" is a song by American new wave band the B-52's from their fifth studio album, Cosmic Thing (1989). It was released on June 20, 1989, and was produced by Don Was. The song was a comeback for the band, following their decline in popularity in the mid-1980s and the death of guitarist Ricky Wilson in 1985.

<i>With the Wild Crowd! Live in Athens, GA</i> 2011 video by The B-52s

With the Wild Crowd! Live in Athens, GA is the first official live album and DVD release by American new wave band The B-52s. The concert was recorded on February 18, 2011 at The Classic Center in the band's hometown of Athens, Georgia, commemorating the 34th anniversary of their first performance as a group on February 14, 1977.

<i>Live! 8-24-1979</i> 2015 live album by The B-52s

Live! 8-24-1979 is the second official live album by American new wave band The B-52s. The concert was recorded on August 24, 1979 at The Berklee Center in Boston, Massachusetts, before the release of their second album.

References

  1. ↑ "Kate Pierson". Biography. Archived from the original on July 7, 2016. Retrieved July 13, 2016.
  2. ↑ Interview, blogs.browardpalmbeach.com; accessed March 24, 2015.
  3. ↑ Beckerman, Jim. "B-52s 'Party' lands close to hometown", The Record (Bergen County) , August 15, 2009; accessed January 14, 2012. "And with that hair? Kate Pierson, born in Weehawken, raised in Rutherford."
  4. ↑ Bream, Jon. "Cameo Critic: Kate Pierson" Minneapolis Star Tribune June 15, 2008.
  5. ↑ Strong, Martin Charles. The essential rock discography (Canongate U.S.); ISBN   978-1-84195-860-6.
  6. ↑ "Interview: The B-52's". Rolling Stone . December 11, 1980.
  7. ↑ Chronicle, Evening (February 16, 2012). "B-52s star was barmaid at a Wallsend pub in '70s". ChronicleLive. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  8. ↑ "Interview: The B-52's". Rolling Stone . December 11, 1980.
  9. ↑ "Interview: The B-52's". Rolling Stone . December 11, 1980.
  10. ↑ "Interview: The B-52's". Rolling Stone . December 11, 1980.
  11. ↑ "Interview: The B-52's". Rolling Stone . December 11, 1980.
  12. ↑ "The B-52s' Kate Pierson on the Music That Made Her". Pitchfork. February 25, 2020. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  13. ↑ Basciano, Oliver (January 12, 2018). "Tim Rollins obituary". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  14. ↑ Ring, Trudy. "B52s' Kate Pierson Marries Partner Monica Coleman". SheWired. Archived from the original on August 8, 2015. Retrieved August 5, 2015.
  15. ↑ Robinson, Matt (October 13, 2006). "The Making of a Rockpreneur". Entrepreneur.com. Retrieved April 4, 2019.
  16. ↑ Profile Archived October 4, 2007, at the Wayback Machine , OutTraveler.com; accessed March 24, 2015.
  17. ↑ Strauss, Alix (August 14, 2020). "How Kate Pierson, of the B-52's, and Monica Coleman, Spend Their Sundays". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  18. ↑ May, Adam (April 30, 2015). "Kate Pierson Talks To Adam May". Al Jazeera America . Archived from the original on October 1, 2021. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  19. ↑ "Top 100 Songs - Billboard Hot 100 Chart". Billboard .
  20. ↑ "Zombies, Andy, And Lou! New Blondie Video for "Mother"…". cherrybombed.com. Retrieved August 25, 2011.
  21. ↑ "Soundtrack - E-I-E-I-(Annoyed Grunt)", IMDb, retrieved October 18, 2011.
  22. ↑ "E-I-E-I-(Annoyed Grunt)". The Simpsons. Season 11. Episode 5. November 7, 1999. Fox . Retrieved October 18, 2011.
  23. ↑ "36 Candles - Difficult People", IMDb, retrieved May 6, 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.