Kate Pierson

Kate Pierson
Name	Kate Pierson
Caption	Pierson performing in 2010
Background	solo_singer
Birth name	Catherine Elizabeth Pierson
Birth date	27 April 1948
Birth place	Weehawken, New Jersey, U.S.
Genre	New wave, post-punk, alternative rock, psychedelic pop
Occupation	Singer, musician, songwriter
Instrument	Vocals, keyboards, guitar, bass
Years active	1976–present
Associated acts	The B-52's, R.E.M., Iggy Pop, Cindy Wilson
Website	katepierson.com

Kate Pierson is an American singer, musician, and songwriter, best known as a founding member and co-lead vocalist of the iconic new wave band The B-52's. Her powerful, soaring contralto vocals and exuberant stage presence, often accentuated by her towering beehive hairstyle, have been a defining element of the band's sound since its formation in Athens, Georgia. Beyond her work with The B-52's, Pierson has pursued a diverse solo career and notable collaborations with artists like R.E.M. and Iggy Pop, while also maintaining a long-standing commitment to LGBT rights and environmental activism.

Early life and education

Catherine Elizabeth Pierson was born in Weehawken, New Jersey and spent much of her youth in Baltimore, Maryland. She developed an early interest in music, influenced by the vibrant sounds of Motown and girl groups of the 1960s. Pierson attended The George Washington University before transferring to the University of Georgia, where she immersed herself in the burgeoning bohemian art scene of Athens, Georgia in the early 1970s. During this period, she managed a local boarding house affectionately known as "The Whistle Stop," which became a creative hub for many future musicians and artists central to the Athens music scene.

Career with The B-52's

In 1976, Pierson co-founded The B-52's with friends Fred Schneider, Keith Strickland, Ricky Wilson, and Cindy Wilson after a shared experience at a Chinese restaurant in Athens. The band's unique blend of surf rock, kitsch aesthetics, and dance-rock, driven by Pierson's and Cindy Wilson's harmonious vocals, quickly gained a cult following. Their self-titled debut album in 1979, featuring the single "Rock Lobster," became a landmark of the American punk rock and new wave movement. Pierson provided lead and backing vocals on enduring hits like "Private Idaho," "Love Shack" (which she co-wrote), and "Roam." Her musical contributions on instruments like the Hammond organ and keyboard bass were integral to the band's signature sound throughout albums such as Wild Planet and Cosmic Thing. Following a hiatus after the death of Ricky Wilson, the band reunited for continued success and touring, solidifying their status as Rock and Roll Hall of Fame-caliber icons.

Solo work and collaborations

Outside The B-52's, Pierson has been a prolific collaborator. She provided distinctive backing vocals on R.E.M.'s hit "Shiny Happy People" and sang on Iggy Pop's album Brick by Brick. Her voice also appears on records by Sonic Youth and The Ramones. In 2015, she released her debut solo album, Guitars and Microphones, which featured songwriting collaborations with Sia Furler and Tim Armstrong of Rancid. The project showcased a more personal songwriting style while retaining her characteristic vocal energy. She continues to perform both solo and in various collaborative projects, often appearing at festivals like Bumbershoot and South by Southwest.

Activism and personal life

Pierson has been a dedicated activist for decades. She is a prominent supporter of LGBT rights, performing at numerous benefits for organizations such as HIV/AIDS charities and advocating for marriage equality. An environmentalist, she and her partner, Monica Coleman, owned and operated the Kate's Lazy Meadow motel and Kate's Lazy Desert property in the Catskill Mountains and California's Mojave Desert, respectively, which were designed with eco-friendly principles. Pierson has been open about her bisexuality and her long-term relationship with Coleman, whom she married in 2015. Her activism is frequently intertwined with her artistic output, using her platform to support causes from PETA to Rainforest Alliance.

Discography

* With The B-52's: The B-52's (1979), Wild Planet (1980), Whammy! (1983), Bouncing off the Satellites (1986), Cosmic Thing (1989), Good Stuff (1992), Funplex (2008) * Solo: Guitars and Microphones (2015)

Awards and recognition

With The B-52's, Pierson has received multiple awards, including an MTV Video Music Award for "Love Shack." The band was nominated for a Grammy Award and has been honored with lifetime achievement awards, such as the Georgia Music Hall of Fame award. Their enduring influence on popular music was cemented with their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020. Pierson's distinctive voice and style have been celebrated in publications like Rolling Stone and have influenced countless artists in the alternative rock and indie pop genres.

Category:American rock singers Category:American new wave musicians Category:1948 births Category:Living people Category:Musicians from New Jersey Category:People from Weehawken, New Jersey