The B-52s & Blondie

The B-52s are a New Wave rock band, formed in Athens, Georgia, United States, in 1976. In their heyday, their music was marked by the female harmonies of Cindy Wilson (vocals) and Kate Pierson (organ, vocals), Ricky Wilson’s (guitar) surf-style guitar, Keith Strickland’s (drummer) “go-go beat” drumming, and the generally spoken word or sprechgesang male vocal counterpoint of Fred Schneider (cowbell, vocals). The resulting unique “guy vs. gals” vocals, sometimes used in call and response style (as in their songs “Private Idaho” and “Good Stuff”), are a trademark of the band. Presenting as a positive, enthusiastic, slightly wacky party band, the B-52s have focused on songs telling tall tales (“Rock Lobster”, “Girl from Ipanema Goes to Greenland”), glorifying wild youth (“Love Shack”, “Deadbeat Club”), or celebrating wild romance (“Strobe Light”, “Hot Pants Explosion”), all set to a danceable New Wave beat.

BLONDIE is an American rock band founded by singer Deborah Harry and guitarist Chris Stein. The band was a pioneer in the early American new wave and punk rock scenes of the mid-1970s. Their first two albums contained strong elements of these genres, and although successful in the United Kingdom and Australia, Blondie was regarded as an underground band in the United States until the release of Parallel Lines in 1978. Over the next three years, the band achieved several hit singles[2] and is noted for its eclectic mix of musical styles incorporating elements of disco, pop, rap, and reggae, while retaining a basic style as a new wave band.
The band broke up after the release of their sixth studio album The Hunter in 1982. Debbie Harry continued to pursue a solo career with varied results after taking a few years off to care for partner Chris Stein, who was diagnosed with pemphigus, a rare autoimmune disease of the skin.
The group reformed in 1997, achieving renewed success and a number one single in the United Kingdom with “Maria” in 1999. The group toured and performed throughout the world during the following years, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006. Blondie has sold 40 million records worldwide and is still active today, with a new album planned for release in the spring of 2010.

Website: http://www.theb52s.com/