The B-52s, the band that made dance hits out of kitchen delicacies rock lobster and quiche Lorraine, will headline the Riverbend Festival on Thursday, June 11, according to talent and production coordinator Joe “Dixie” Fuller.
“They are a good, fun, college band that has never played here, and we’ve never really booked anyone like them,” he said. “I think it will be a lot of fun.”
Also announced are up-and-coming country star Jake Owen and guitar god Adrian Belew.
“Jake Owen is going to be a huge star, and we are proud to have him,” Mr. Fuller said. “The ladies love him, and he is also a very talented musician.”
Mr. Owen will perform opening night, June 5, on the Bud Light Stage. He earned an Academy of Country Music nomination for Top New Male Vocalist in 2006 with the release of his debut, “Startin’ With Me.” He followed that with a Country Music Association and Grammy nomination for his collaboration with Sugarland and Little Big Town on a cover of “Life in a Northern Town.”
Mr. Belew will perform Wednesday, June 10, on the Bud Light Stage. In addition to his solo work, the former King Crimson guitarist has played with Joe Cocker, Cyndi Lauper, Nine Inch Nails, Jars of Clay, Mike Oldfield, Laurie Anderson, the Jaguares, Robert Palmer, Peter Gabriel, Crash Test Dummies, Paul Simon and David Bowie.
“Everyone will get a good guitar dose that night,” Mr. Fuller said.
The B-52s were an early part of the New Wave movement, and one of the first Athens, Ga.-based acts to hit it big. They are known for Fred Schneider’s quirky lyrics and vocals, the soaring voices and even bigger hairstyles of Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson, and guitarist Keith Strickland’s distinctive sound. All are original members of the band that formed in 1976. The band’s hits include “Rock Lobster,” “Planet Claire,” “Roam,” “Love Shack” and “Private Idaho.”
“Their contract is one of the more involved we’ve had to deal with,” Mr. Fuller said. “We have to provide a hairdresser, and the catering is all organic.”
Riverbend 2009 is scheduled June 5-13. Reserved Star Seating tickets are available for most Coca-Cola Stage artists. Call 756-2211 to save your seat.
Barry Courter is associate features editor, entertainment editor and books editor for the Times Free Press. He started his journalism career at the Chattanooga News-Free Press in 1987. He covers primarily entertainment and events for fyiWeekend and edits the Sunday books page. Born in Lafayette, Ind., Barry has lived in Chattanooga since 1968. He graduated from Notre Dame High School and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with a degree in broadcast journalism. He previously ...
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