Today is Kate Pierson’s birthday, best known as one of the founding members of the iconic band The B-52s. The band's editing above and her portrait on the musical reference book/birthday calendar below were made by me, Frieke.
Kate Pierson was born on April 27, 1948, in Weehawken, New Jersey, and grew up in Rutherford. After studying journalism at Boston University, she traveled around Europe for a while. Upon returning to the US, she settled on a farm in Athens, Georgia, where she met the other members of The B-52’s.
In 1976, Pierson co-founded The B-52s with Cindy Wilson, Fred Schneider, Ricky Wilson, and Keith Strickland. The band's quirky mix of new wave, rock, and punk, combined with their striking fashion and campy lyrics, quickly gained them a following. With hits like Rock Lobster, Love Shack and Roam they became internationally known. Pierson not only served as a vocalist but also as a primary keyboardist during live shows and on many recordings of the band. She is known for her energetic performances and her unique vocal style. Her ability to effortlessly hit high notes remains a trademark of The B-52s' unique sound. Besides her work with The B-52s, Pierson released her first solo album, Guitars and Microphones, in 2015.
Due to her ability to effortlessly hit high notes and her expressive singing style, Pierson collaborated with various other artists during her career, including Iggy Pop, with whom she worked on the song Candy, with R.E.M. background vocals on Shiny Happy People and with Natalie Merchant on the song Candy Everybody Wants by 10,000 Maniacs.
Overall, Kate Pierson keeps her private life out of the spotlight. What is known is that in 2015, she married her partner Monica Coleman. Pierson has occasionally spoken about her relationship with Coleman in interviews and has openly expressed her support for LGBTQ+ rights.
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