The B-52s soared in 1989, propelled by the band’s first Top 10 hits “Love Shack” and “Roam.” They were breakthrough singles from the Athens, Georgia-based group’s fifth studio release, Cosmic Thing. That record reached #3 on the Billboard Album Chart, sold more than four million copies in the U.S., and burnished the B-52’s reputation as the World’s Greatest Party Band.
It will be the 30th anniversary of Cosmic Thing this summer and the B-52s are taking the party on the road with an extensive tour of Europe and the U.S. (see below for dates). Also, Rhino will introduce an anniversary edition of the album that features newly remastered sound, B-sides, remixes and unreleased concert recordings from 1990’s Cosmic Tour.
On June 28 – one day after the album’s official 30th anniversary – Rhino will release COSMIC THING: 30th ANNIVERSARY EXPANDED EDITION. Available for $24.98, the two-disc set is accompanied by a booklet that includes liner notes from journalist and author T. Cole Rachel, song lyrics, and unseen photos of the band from that time period. The music will be available on the same day through digital download and streaming services.
The COSMIC THING anniversary edition opens with a newly remastered version of the original album, which was recorded by Fred Schneider, Kate Pierson, Cindy Wilson and Keith Strickland, and co-produced by Nile Rodgers and Don Was. Along with the original album, the two-disc set also includes five newly remastered bonus tracks that spotlight B-sides and remixes like “B-52’s Megamix” and “Roam” (Extended Remix).
The collection’s second disc is an unreleased live album that captures the B-52s performing live in Texas in August 1990 during the band’s Cosmic Tour. The performance includes seven songs from Cosmic Thing along with several other B-52’s classics such as “Rock Lobster” and “Dance This Mess Around” from the group’s 1979 self-titled debut; and “Private Idaho” and “Give Me Back My Man” from 1980’s Wild Planet.
All songs were recorded during the band’s August 4 show at The Pavillion in The Woodlands, Texas except for “Whammy Kiss,” which was recorded the previous night during the band’s show in Dallas.
COSMIC THING: 30th ANNIVERSARY EXPANDED EDITION
2-CD Track Listing
Disc One: Newly Remastered Original Album
1. “Cosmic Thing”
2. “Dry County”
3. “Deadbeat Club”
4. “Love Shack”
5. “Junebug”
6. “Roam”
7. “Bushfire”
8. “Channel Z”
9. “Topaz”
10. “Follow Your Bliss”
Assorted B-Sides And Remixes – Newly Remastered.
11. “B-52’s Megamix”
12. “Love Shack” (Edit)
13. “Channel Z” (Rock Mix)
14. “Roam” (Extended Remix)
15. “Roam” (12” Remix)
Disc Two:Cosmic Tour: Live In Texas, 1990
1. “Cosmic Thing”
2. “Bushfire”
3. “Quiche Lorraine”
4. “Dance This Mess Around”
5. “Dry County”
6. “Private Idaho”
7. “Give Me Back My Man”
8. “Deadbeat Club”
9. “Mesopotamia”
10. “Strobe Light”
11. “Roam”
12. “52 Girls”
13. “Love Shack”
14. “Rock Lobster”
15. “Whammy Kiss”
16. “Channel Z”
The B-52’s Summer Tour Dates
May
12 Arlington, TX KAABOO Texas
26 Nashville, TN Nashville Boogie Vintage Weekender
June
21 Vitoria, ES Azkena Rock Festival
23 Amsterdam, NL Paradiso
24 Brussels, BE Ancienne Belgique
26 Cologne, DE E-Werk
27 Berlin, DE Columbiahalle
29 Gateshead Sage, UK Gateshead Sage
30 London, UK Eventim Apollo
July
2 Nottingham, UK Royal Concert Hall
3 Manchester, UK O2 Apollo
5 Paris, FR Olympia
7 Argeles Sur Me, FR Festival les Deferlantes
26 Asheville, NC Biltmore Estate – South Terrace Stage
August
1 Costa Mesa, CA Pacific Amphitheatre
3 San Diego, CA Bayside Summer Nights @ Embarcadero Marina Park
4 Los Angeles, CA Microsoft Theater
6 Portland, OR Oregon Zoo Amphitheater
7 Seattle, WA BECU ZooTunes Concert Series
8 Missoula, MT Kettlehouse Amphitheater
10 Bend, OR Les Schwab Amphitheater
11 Murphys, CA Ironstone Amphitheatre
12 Saratoga, CA The Mountain Winery
14 Phoenix, AZ Comerica Theatre
16 Salt Lake City, UT Red Butte Garden Amphitheatre
17 Dillon, CO Dillon Amphitheater
18 Greenwood Village, CO Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre
21 San Antonio, TX The Majestic Theater
22 Austin, TX Bass Concert Hall
24 Sugarland, TX Smart Financial Centre
25 New Orleans, LA Saenger Theatre
28 Clearwater, FL Ruth Eckerd Hall
29 Ft Lauderdale, FL Broward Center Au-Rene Theater
September
6 Greensboro, NC White Oak Amphitheatre at Greensboro Coliseum Complex
7 Atlanta, GA Cadence Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park
8 Huber Heights, OH Rose Music Center at the Heights
11 Grand Rapids, MI Fifth Third Bank Summer Concerts at Meijer Gardens
13 Toronto, ONT, CA Sony Centre for the Performing Arts
14 Detroit, MI Meadow Brook Amphitheatre
17 Washington, DC The Anthem
19 Philadelphia, PA Mann Center for the Performing Arts
20 Mashantucket, CT Foxwoods Resort Casino – Grand Theater
22 Asbury Park, NJ Sea.Hear.Now Festival
24 New York, NY Summerstage – Central Park
