The following is an excerpt from "The B-52s' Cosmic Thing" by Pete Crighton and available now from Bloomsbury.

Thirty-five years ago, Athens eccentrics the B-52s experienced one of the greatest, if most bittersweet, against-all-odds comebacks in pop music history. After the 1985 death of guitarist Ricky Wilson ...

The B-52s, the seminal new wave band, are heading out on the road in September for what may be the final time. The band is best remembered for their mega-hits "Rock Lobster" and "Love Shack," but they ...

B-52s lead singer Fred Schneider could live anywhere in the world, but he chose to make Long Island his home base. "I’m in a small town out east," he said in a phone interview. "It’s beautiful here." ...

It’s likely a testament to the commitment of the members of the B-52s that each of its remaining long-term members; Kate Pierson, Fred Schneider, and Cindy Wilson, has only released two albums apiece ...

To be sure, B-52s will not be flying the most challenging missions in the future. One would assume, upon hearing the name “Stratofortress,” that the weapon it describes would be a mighty one. Indeed, ...