The B-52s - Q&A: What Is The Story Behind "Rock Lobster"?

[hebneh]

A very meaningful song for some of us back in 1979-'80. "It wasn't a rock - it was a rock lobster!"

[Cloudwalker2011]

Fred Schneider's speech reminds me of Bruce from Family Guy. I wanna hear him say "oh no!"

[wildnites558]

And let's face it, it was that "stoopid little guitar riff" that propelled them into stardom, right?

[hankbob2000]

AIDS-related death, October 1985.

[0798184]

what happened to Ricky?

[paulaohsi]

Pass da buttah.

[icmequipment]

Van Halen, BB King, Jeff Beck, Santana. Jimmy Hendricks all are great

but none come close to Ricky and i mean none Well at least in my opinion !!!!

[shaunrat66]

For what I gather, the riff is actually the first 9 notes of Pipeline, repeated (listen to the original). Figuring that Ricky played on a Mosrite Ventures guitar, and that this is a "beach tune", it only makes sense that this somehow was in his mind when he "came up with the most stupid guitar riff"

[scottyh4848]

Stupid Genius is probably right. I would say more Genius than stupid. It is such a fun song....it helps you forget about your problems for a while...I love the B52's...always have!

[ForeverGoth]

wait. . .the tanning butter?



[please42]

Great stuff. I have loved this song for years.

[tecdessus]

I don`t know them personally (I wish I did) but they come across as four of the nicest idividuals you could ever meet. Thank you B52s for 30+ years of great music.

[hardmanners]

@tecdessus Yeah, if I just could give each of them a hug once I would die as a happy man.

[pattyfan24]

Lol Kate, I love how she says "Butta, The tanning butta, right?"..With the little accent as she's saying it. It's cute the way she says it. Love the B52s!!!

[TotallyBored23]

"Pass the butta, Please!"

[101Volts]

"I just came up with the most stupid guitar riff you've ever heard" LOL Nice. Ricky is my favorite guitarist, Wonder what it was like to know him?

[dianacisnerosz19]

@101Volts we lost a young gifted soul :(

[ILoveB52s]

AWESOME!!!!