Welcome to our latest author Q&A, where we chat to the writers behind new and upcoming 33 1/3 books! Today Pete Crighton introduces his addition to the 33 1/3 series: Cosmic Thing, an album that solidified The B-52s as icons of pop culture and queerness.
How would you describe your book in one sentence?
I wanted to shine a spotlight on the B-52s queerness and history as queer icons, as well as their incredible artistry, using Cosmic Thing as a launching point.
What drew you to this album?
I’ve been a lifelong fan of the B-52s since I heard “Rock Lobster” on the radio when I was ten years old, and Cosmic Thing was just such a miracle. The band had seemingly ended after losing Ricky Wilson to HIV/AIDS and that the remaining members had to fight through their own grief and despair to make the record, is fascinating to me – and hopefully to readers. That they achieved their greatest success while doing so, is the cherry on top.
If you were introducing someone to The B-52s for the first time, what would you recommend they listen to?
As much as I love Cosmic Thing, I’d encourage a first-time listener to spin the band’s first eponymously titled album. Released in 1979 it still sounds revolutionary today – front to back, it’s banger after banger.
What was it like writing the book? Did you learn anything new about The B-52s that you didn’t know going into the project?
It was so fun to do, I encourage anyone who’s wanted to write a 33 1/3 entry to give it a shot. I listened to the band’s entire discography for months and after countless plays, I was thrilled to discover that I love their work even more than when I started. That’s a testament to timeless art.
Are there any interesting stories that didn’t make it into the final book?
I was lucky enough to interview Chris Frantz (Talking Heads, Tom Tom Club) while writing the book and he added some great colour and context to it but I desperately tried to get one of the Bs to talk to me! I feel like there are so many great stories that could have been included that will hopefully come at a later date – Cindy, Fred, Kate, Keith….call me!
If you got the chance to write a 33 1/3 on one other album – what are you picking?
Leah Kardos beat me to Kate Bush’s Hounds of Love but did such a great job I can’t complain! If given the chance to do another, I’d pick Yoko Ono’s Take Me to the Land of Hell. It’s a late career masterpiece and Yoko is a visionary artist who was always a huge inspiration for the B-52s.
Pete Crighton
is the best selling author of The Vinyl Diaries: Sex, Deep Cuts and My Soundtrack to Queer Joy and The B-52s’ Cosmic Thing in Bloomsbury’s 33 1/3 series. Crighton is based in Wellington and Toronto and his work has appeared in the Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, Queerty, The Advocate and the West End Phoenix.
The B-52s’ Cosmic Thing is available to buy in bookshops and online, including at Bloomsbury.com.
