Tin Roof Rusted! 30 Years Of The B-52's Love Shack

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Tin Roof Rusted! 30 Years Of The B-52's Love Shack

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Kate Pierson of The B-52's and RuPaul at Pierson's birthday party on April 27, 1990 at Club MK in New York (Photo by Ron Galella/Getty Images)

30 years ago in 1989, the band on everyone's lips was The B-52's as they released their break out album Cosmic Thing, and global smash hit "Love Shack". It was an impressive follow up to their previous four albums, and for a band that had been an underground buzz, it was "Love Shack" that made them a household name. 

"Love Shack" remains a classic hits radio staple to which everyone sings along - you simply can't help it. It still fills dancefloors at every party and wedding, and no matter where you are or who you're with - the call of "Tiiiiiiiiiiiiiiin roof, rusted!" is as much a part of the song as it's catchy chorus. 

The song and the music video was inspired by the tinned-roof cabin where singer Kate Pierson lived in the 70s - the same place that previous single "Rock Lobster" was written for their debut album. Interestingly, the video was also the first time we ever saw RuPaul as a drag queen, before he became the fabulous celebrity we know now. He often credits The B-52's for giving him his big break.

Referring to themselves as "a tackly little band from Athens, Georgia", The B-52's formed in 1976 and for the majority fo thier career have been considered pioneers for the LGBTQ community. Four of the five original members are gay and despite not conciously doing it, have always spread a message of acceptance and that "weird is good - it's where the party is at". As well as being the ultimate party band, they were also hugely respected by the punk community, having cut their teeth in New Yorks CBGB's and having fnas in Patti Smith, Frank Zappa, William S. Burroughs and John Lennon. (Lennon famously said “Rock Lobster” pushed him to produce his final album, Double Fantasy, with Yoko Ono.) 

Following a short hiatus to greive the loss of original member Ricky Wilson (who died of complications related to AIDS in 1985) and with the help of producers Nile Rodgers and Don Was, the band released Cosmic Thing in 1989. 

“We wound up becoming friends for life, instantly,” said Rodgers to Billboard. “I’d always been a massive fan of the Bs. I wasn't sure how the public would feel, but I was sure about how we would feel -- good.” 

On the strength of "Love Shack" and "Roam", the album was a smash. "Love Shack"  ended up being the only #1 single on the ARIA Charts for The B-52's and spent eight consecutive weeks at the summit between December 1989 and February 1990.

With all great pop songs comes great parody versions and none better than "Glove Slap" in The Simpsons. A manouvre that scores Homer the first ever free beer given away in Moe's Tavern.

A special 30th Anniversary edition of Cosmic Thing was recently released and contains the original album remastered as well as some great live cuts. Get it on CD here.

Listen to The B-52's on Spotify

Listen to The B-52's on Apple Music 

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