Okay, so, I was digging around for some info on this guy, Keith Strickland, and let me tell you, this dude is interesting. I started with a simple search, just to get the basics, you know? Turns out, he’s one of the founding members of this band, The B-52s. Ever heard of them? They’re like, this new wave group, pretty big back in the day.
So, I’m reading about the band’s history. This Keith guy, he was originally their drummer. I found this old article that talked about their original lineup: Fred Schneider on vocals and some percussion stuff, Kate Pierson also singing and playing keyboards, Cindy Wilson singing and doing percussion too, and then there’s Ricky Wilson on guitar. And of course, Keith Strickland was banging away on the drums.
I kept digging, and this is where it got a bit sad. Ricky Wilson, the guitarist, he passed away in 1985. It was AIDS-related complications. They had released an album in 1986. I can’t imagine what the band must have gone through, losing a founding member like that. Anyway, after Ricky’s death, Keith switched from drums to guitar. That’s a big change, right? But it seems like he’s a pretty talented guy, because I also found out that he plays keyboards and bass on a lot of their recordings. He even does some backing vocals from time to time!
- Started as the drummer for The B-52s.
- Switched to guitar after Ricky Wilson’s death in 1985.
- Also plays keyboards and bass, and sings backup sometimes.
- Born in Athens, Georgia.
- He was only 16 when he first met Keith Strickland.
I also learned that Keith is the one who writes the music for the band. He’s not just a performer; he’s the creative force behind their sound. Oh, and The B-52s, they’re still performing, but as a trio. I guess Keith stepped back from touring in 2013. They even had some shows in Las Vegas in 2023, and apparently, they have more scheduled for this year, 2024. They will perform at The Venetian Theatre.
Songs
By the way, I looked up some of their most popular songs: “Love Shack,” “Rock Lobster,” “Planet Claire,” and “Private Idaho.” I gave them a listen. They’re definitely catchy. I can see why they were so popular.
So yeah, that’s what I found out about Keith Strickland. From a drummer to a guitarist, to a songwriter, and a key member of The B-52s. Pretty impressive, right?
