‘Partying out of bounds’ with the B-52’s

Despite the on-and-off-again rain showers during the B-52’s concert at Eisenhower Park on Aug. 6, thousands attended the show. The B-52’s, who have been misconceived as British, actually formed in Athens, Georgia in 1976, and garnered wide popularity in the late 1970s and 1980s.

Although founded on 1960s rock-and-roll, the B-52’s have transcended that genre and covered a range of others, including pop and punk rock. They have been compared both New Wave dance and Surf music, and have an unmistakable, unique sound that centers on the voices of Fred Schneider and Cindy Wilson. In 1994, the band appeared and sang in the major motion picture, “The Flintstones.”

On Aug. 6, the band bopped around stage in loose clothing as they performed hits such as “Roam,” “Rock Lobster” and, the most notable hit, “Love Shack.” They also performed lesser-known songs “Private Idaho,” and “Whammy Kiss.”

“Love Shack” landed the B52’s spot No. 243 on Rolling Stone’s list of the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time” and “Best Single of 1989.” The group also received an MTV award for best group video in 1990.

Concert-goers didn’t let the rain stop them from dancing and having a good time, and the band appreciated it — on Aug. 7, the band posted on its Facebook fan page, “Great audience last night East Meadow LI. Crowd was dancing in the rain!” The show was a spectacle for the eyes and ears of the audience with lights, sound and action on stage.

The B-52’s performance was part of the free concert series at the Harry Chapin Lakeside Theater in East Meadow, hosted by Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano. DiNubila is a Franklin Square resident.