Kate Pierson

Kate Pierson (born Catherine Elizabeth Pierson; April 27, 1948) is an American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist best known as a co-founding member and co-lead vocalist of the new wave band The B-52's.^[1][2][3] Pierson was born in Weehawken, New Jersey, and raised in nearby Rutherford, where she developed an early interest in music influenced by her Jersey roots.^[2] She co-founded The B-52's in October 1976 in Athens, Georgia, alongside Fred Schneider, Keith Strickland, Cindy Wilson, and Ricky Wilson, after a spontaneous gathering at a local Chinese restaurant; the band's name derived from Southern slang for exaggerated bouffant hairstyles, which became a signature of Pierson's flamboyant stage presence.^[3] Pierson contributed soaring vocals, keyboards, guitar, and bass to the group, helping shape their quirky, danceable sound that blended punk, pop, and surf rock elements.^[3][4] The B-52's achieved multiplatinum success with their self-titled debut album in 1979, featuring the hit "Rock Lobster," which sold over 500,000 copies and established them as pioneers of the alternative rock scene.^[3] Their 1989 album Cosmic Thing became their biggest commercial breakthrough, peaking at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 and selling five million copies worldwide, driven by iconic singles like "Love Shack" and "Roam."^[3] Over their career, the band has sold more than 20 million albums, headlined sold-out global tours, and performed for massive audiences, including a 1990 Earth Day concert in New York City's Central Park for 750,000 people.^[3] Following Ricky Wilson's death in 1985 and the band's 2022 farewell tour announcement, Pierson has continued to represent the group's enduring legacy of fun, eccentric party music.^[3][5] Beyond The B-52's, Pierson has pursued a solo career, releasing her debut album Guitars and Microphones in 2015, which showcased her versatile voice on tracks blending pop, rock, and electronic styles.^[4][6] She has collaborated with artists including R.E.M. on "Shiny Happy People," Iggy Pop on "Candy," and Jack White on "Venus," highlighting her distinctive, high-pitched vocals in diverse genres.^[4] In 2024, Pierson released her second solo album Radios & Rainbows via Songvest, featuring 12 original tracks, including co-writes with producers like Chris Braide and Bleu, exploring themes of hope, love, and personal reflection through soothing disco, cinematic dance, and bittersweet ballads.^[5][4]

Early life and education

Upbringing and family

Catherine Elizabeth Pierson, known professionally as Kate Pierson, was born on April 27, 1948, in Weehawken, New Jersey.^[1] She spent her early childhood in Weehawken before moving to Rutherford, New Jersey, at the age of eight following the death of her grandmother.^[2] Pierson was raised in a middle-class family; her father, George Pierson, had worked as a musician in a big band before quitting the profession upon meeting her mother, Elizabeth, as stable employment in music was challenging at the time.^[7] Her mother worked as a secretary in a nine-to-five office job, often sharing stories of workplace frustrations with her female colleagues.^[7] Growing up in suburban New Jersey near New York City, Pierson developed an early interest in music influenced by her father's background and the vibrant cultural scene around her.^[2] As a long-haired, politically conscious teenager in the 1960s, she began composing folk songs and performing protest music with a high school folk band, reflecting the era's social upheavals.^[8] These formative experiences in the local environment of Rutherford fostered her creative inclinations toward the arts.^[9]

Academic pursuits

Pierson briefly attended Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, before transferring to Boston University, where she majored in journalism amid the turbulent social climate of the late 1960s.^[10] During her time at Boston University, she immersed herself in the hippie counterculture, participating in Vietnam War protests that included sit-ins and encounters with tear gas, reflecting the era's widespread anti-war activism.^[10] To support herself, she worked as a nurse's aide in Boston, an experience that grounded her practical skills while she pursued her studies.^[10] She graduated in 1970 with a degree in journalism, a credential that honed her observational and narrative abilities, though she soon veered toward more adventurous paths.^[11] Following graduation, Pierson traveled extensively across Europe in the early 1970s, a journey prompted by the Kent State shootings and a desire to escape the intensifying unrest in the United States.^[10] Arriving in Newcastle upon Tyne broke and in need of funds, she took a job as a barmaid at The Anson pub in Wallsend, UK, where she worked for six months, pulling pints and interacting with local regulars like a patron named Gus.^[12] This period of itinerant work and cultural immersion provided Pierson with vivid, real-world experiences that later influenced her artistic sensibilities, though she has not detailed specific creative outputs from the trip beyond the personal growth it fostered.^[12] Upon returning to the U.S., Pierson relocated to Athens, Georgia, in the mid-1970s with a friend, attracted by a job offer that aligned with her emerging interest in a back-to-the-land lifestyle.^[10] She settled into a modest one-room shack with an outhouse for $15 a month, embracing rural self-sufficiency by raising goats and tending to simple agrarian tasks.^[10] To make ends meet, she took non-musical employment at a local restaurant, where she waited tables alongside other young creatives, including future collaborator Cindy Wilson, laying the groundwork for her transition into Athens' vibrant artistic community.^[13] In this setting, Pierson began exploring early creative pursuits, learning guitar and composing songs in the isolation of her shack, activities that nurtured her musical inclinations without yet leading to formal performance.^[10]

Musical career

Role in The B-52's

Kate Pierson co-founded The B-52's in October 1976 in Athens, Georgia, alongside Fred Schneider, Cindy Wilson, her brother Ricky Wilson, and Keith Strickland, after the group shared drinks at a local Chinese restaurant and spontaneously decided to form a band. Their first performance occurred in February 1977 at a Valentine's Day party in a friend's basement, marking the start of their underground presence in the Athens music scene. As a core member, Pierson served as lead and co-lead vocalist, primary keyboardist—often playing keyboard bass to provide foundational grooves—and occasional guitarist, bassist, and percussionist, contributing to the band's raw, DIY instrumentation during early live shows.^[3][14] Pierson's vocal style, characterized by soaring high-pitched harmonies blended with deeper, resonant tones, became a signature element of The B-52's quirky new wave sound, often layering ethereal "aahs" and "oohs" with Cindy Wilson's contributions for a luminous, otherworldly effect. She played a key role in songwriting and lyrics, employing a stream-of-consciousness approach influenced by folk traditions, which infused tracks with surreal, playful imagery—such as the animal-inspired absurdity in "Rock Lobster" (co-written with Schneider in 1978, released as a single in 1979) and the nostalgic, sex-positive whimsy of "Love Shack" (co-written for the 1989 album Cosmic Thing). These elements helped define the band's madcap, danceable aesthetic, blending punk energy with alt-dance-rock to challenge conventional pop norms.^[4][15][16] The band's trajectory evolved from local Athens gigs to national acclaim with their self-titled debut album in 1979, which sold over 500,000 copies and featured the hit "Rock Lobster," propelling them into the new wave spotlight. Following the 1980 release of Wild Planet and the death of guitarist Ricky Wilson from AIDS-related illness in 1985, The B-52's entered a hiatus to grieve and restructure, with Strickland shifting to guitar duties. Pierson helped drive the resurgence via Cosmic Thing (1989), a multi-platinum success selling five million copies worldwide, highlighted by "Love Shack" and "Roam," which she co-wrote and performed on an 18-month global tour that included a massive Earth Day concert in New York City's Central Park. Throughout subsequent albums like Funplex (2008) and extensive touring—including a 2011 34th-anniversary live release—she maintained the band's vibrant energy with her dynamic stage presence and harmonies, sustaining their influence into the 2020s despite a final farewell tour concluding in 2022 and limited group activities thereafter.^[3][15][16]

Solo recordings

Kate Pierson released her debut solo album, Guitars and Microphones, on February 17, 2015, marking her first full-length project independent of The B-52's and showcasing her vocal prowess in a collection of upbeat pop tracks co-written and produced with collaborators including Sia and Dallas Austin.^[17][18] The album features songs like "Throw Down the Roses," "Mister Sister," and "Bottoms Up," emphasizing themes of empowerment, hope, and love through effervescent 1980s-inspired pop sensibilities infused with electronic elements.^[19][20] Pierson's production involvement highlighted her shift toward more personal, resilient narratives, including animal rights advocacy in tracks such as "Bring Your Arms," which addresses sea turtle conservation.^[21] At age 66, the record pulsed with energetic spunk, reflecting her joy in exploring solo creative control.^[18] In support of the album, Pierson issued the non-album single "Better Not Sting the Bee" on April 18, 2015, as a Record Store Day exclusive 7-inch vinyl, featuring playful lyrics with beehive metaphors symbolizing love and attraction, backed by a remix of "Wolves" from the album.^[22][23] She followed this with the single "Venus," a cover of the 1969 Shocking Blue hit, released on April 16, 2016, via Third Man Records in a limited-edition blue vinyl format produced by Jack White, with "Radio in Bed" as the B-side; the track blended her distinctive vibrato with garage-rock edges for a danceable reinterpretation.^[24][25] These releases underscored Pierson's stylistic evolution toward pop and electronic influences, allowing her to infuse personal themes of joy and resilience into concise, vibrant formats.^[26] Nearly a decade later, Pierson returned with her second solo album, Radios & Rainbows, released on September 20, 2024, via SVR Records, a rainbow-themed project that captured her enduring optimism through a diverse mix of electro-pop, rock, dance, and disco tracks co-written with Sia and others.^[27][28] Key songs include "Evil Love," "Take Me Back to the Party," "Every Day is Halloween," and the title track "Radios and Rainbows," which radiates positivity with kaleidoscopic imagery and soaring vocals that highlight her vocal style honed in The B-52's.^[29][30] At age 76, the album received praise for its heartfelt bounce and eclectic hopefulness, blending dance anthems with subtle political undertones while demonstrating Pierson's hands-on production role in crafting a joyful, resilient soundscape.^[31][32] To promote Radios & Rainbows, Pierson embarked on a solo tour beginning in January 2025, starting with a performance at City Winery in New York City, where her powerful live delivery emphasized the album's vibrant energy.^[33]

Key collaborations

One of Kate Pierson's notable early collaborations outside her band work came in 1981, when she provided backing vocals alongside Cindy Wilson and Debbie Harry on the Ramones' album Pleasant Dreams, contributing to its new wave-inflected punk sound.^[34] In 1990, Pierson teamed up with Iggy Pop for the duet "Candy" on his album Brick by Brick, where her vibrant harmonies complemented Pop's raw delivery, helping the track become one of his biggest mainstream hits.^[35] Pierson's vocals added a distinctive, upbeat layer to R.E.M.'s 1991 album Out of Time, featuring prominently on the singles "Shiny Happy People" and "Near Wild Heaven," as well as backing on "Me in Honey," enhancing the album's jangly pop accessibility during the band's commercial peak.^[36] In the late 1990s, Pierson formed the short-lived electronic project NiNa in Japan, drawing inspiration from the new wave band Plastics, marking a foray into international experimental pop.^[37] More recently, in 2024, Pierson contributed lead vocals to two tracks—"Fix It" and "Boom Boom"—on Pylon Reenactment Society's album Magnet Factory, infusing the post-punk revival project with her soaring, energetic style and bridging her Athens, Georgia roots to the band's raw, danceable energy.^[38]

Personal life

Relationships and family

Pierson's first marriage was to Brian Cokayne, a musician from Manchester, England, whom she met while traveling in Europe; the union lasted from 1971 to 1973.^[7][39] From 1981 to 1996, Pierson was in a long-term relationship with artist and activist Tim Rollins.^[40][41][39] In 2003, Pierson entered a long-term relationship with artist and designer Monica Coleman (also known as Monica Nation), whom she married in a private ceremony in Hawaii on August 4, 2015, attended by B-52's bandmates and singer Sia.^[42][43][44] Pierson has publicly identified as bisexual, describing her attraction to Coleman as a natural evolution in her personal life rather than a deliberate "coming out" moment.^[45][46] The couple's family life centers on mutual creative support, with Coleman influencing Pierson's artistic endeavors, including music and design projects, while they collaborate on daily routines like gardening and songwriting at their shared homes in Woodstock, New York, and Truro, Massachusetts.^[47][48] They have no children. Pierson's openness about her relationship has amplified her advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights, positioning her as a queer icon within The B-52's legacy of challenging norms through personal disclosures and band performances.^[49][50]

Residences and ventures

Kate Pierson has owned several properties that reflect her artistic sensibilities and entrepreneurial interests, often transforming them into quirky vacation rentals with retro and eclectic themes. In the early 2000s, she and her wife, visual artist Monica Coleman, purchased and renovated a 1950s roadside motel in Mount Tremper, New York, in the Catskills region, renaming it Kate's Lazy Meadow.^[51][52] The boutique motel featured 10 cabins decorated with mid-century modern furnishings, vintage kitsch, and bold colors inspired by Pierson's touring experiences with The B-52's, serving as a creative haven for guests seeking a playful escape.^[53] They operated it until 2021, when it was sold for $2.3 million.^[54] Pierson maintains a home in Woodstock, New York, known as Kate's Lazy Cabin, a 1950s clapboard cottage on two lush acres that embodies her love for rustic, artistic retreats. Co-owned with Coleman, the 1,300-square-foot property includes three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and interiors blending vintage charm with personal touches like colorful murals and thrift-store finds, making it a serene creative outlet.^[55][56] In August 2025, the cabin was listed for sale at $750,000, highlighting its role as a private sanctuary near the historic Woodstock arts scene.^[57] She also owns Kate's Lazy Cape, a contemporary beach house in Truro, Massachusetts, on Cape Cod, acquired after selling Kate's Lazy Meadow and opened as a vacation rental in 2022.^[58] Located in an exclusive neighborhood within walking distance of a private Cape Cod Bay beach, the home features artistic, retro-themed decor that sets it apart from typical coastal properties, offering guests a comfortable yet whimsical stay.^[59] These residences and ventures have evolved into key creative pursuits for Pierson following the intensity of The B-52's touring schedule, providing spaces for relaxation, design experimentation, and income through short-term rentals as of 2025.^[47] Gardening has become a tied hobby, with Pierson cultivating vibrant kitchen gardens at her properties, yielding summer produce like zucchini and beans that enhance her connection to these natural settings.^[47]

Public appearances and legacy

Film and television roles

Kate Pierson has made several cameo and guest appearances in film and television, often portraying exaggerated versions of her flamboyant persona or contributing voice work that highlights her distinctive vocal style. These roles extend her performative talents beyond the stage, blending her celebrity status with character-driven moments in comedic and satirical contexts.^[60] In 1993, Pierson appeared in an episode of the Nickelodeon series The Adventures of Pete & Pete titled "What We Did on Our Summer Vacation," playing an eccentric blind millionaire who aids the young protagonists in solving a mystery. Her cameo, alongside Michael Stipe of R.E.M., added a quirky, celebrity-infused layer to the show's surreal humor.^[61] Pierson's film debut came in 1994 with The Flintstones, where she performed as part of the fictional band the BC-52's, delivering a lively musical sequence that parodied her work with The B-52's. The role showcased her as a vibrant ensemble member in the live-action adaptation. She provided voice work for the 1998 animated feature The Rugrats Movie, contributing to the ensemble cast in a minor role that aligned with her playful public image. In 1999, Pierson voiced herself alongside her B-52's bandmates in the The Simpsons episode "E-I-E-I-(Annoyed Grunt)," performing a satirical song parody titled "Glove Slap" amid the show's absurd farm-themed plot.^[62] Pierson continued with television guest spots in the 2000s and 2010s. She appeared as herself in the 2007 Flight of the Conchords episode "What Goes on Tour," interacting with the band's characters during a comedic tour scenario. In Portlandia, she featured in the 2017 season 7 episode "Friend Replacement," where her deadpan delivery enhanced the show's satirical take on Portland culture. Her role in the 2016 Hulu series Difficult People season 2 episode "36 Candles" saw her playing herself in a meta cameo that poked fun at celebrity encounters in New York. Pierson took on a supporting acting part in the 2019 horror-comedy film Corporate Animals as a team-building retreat participant, bringing her eccentric energy to the ensemble. In 2023, she made a cameo appearance in the musical drama Glitter & Doom. In 2025, Pierson made a promotional television appearance on Good Day New York on April 29, discussing her solo projects and upcoming performances, further extending her media presence.^[63]

Awards and influence

Kate Pierson has received several accolades throughout her career, primarily tied to her work with The B-52's. The band earned three Grammy Award nominations: Best New Artist in 1990, Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for "Roam" in 1991, and Best Alternative Music Album for Good Stuff in 1993.^[64] In 2018, Pierson and fellow B-52's vocalist Cindy Wilson were honored with the She Rocks Award for their contributions to music as women in the industry.^[65] Despite the band's eligibility since 2004 and widespread recognition as new wave pioneers, The B-52's have not been nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as of 2025.^[66] Pierson's solo endeavors have also garnered positive recognition, particularly her 2024 album Radios & Rainbows, her first full-length release in nearly a decade. Critics praised the album for its vibrant, queer-affirming pop sound, highlighting tracks like "Every Day is Halloween" co-written with Sia and noting its role in advancing representation in LGBTQ+ music.^[28][67] The album's reception underscored Pierson's enduring vocal style and thematic focus on joy and resilience, with reviews emphasizing its bright, inclusive energy. Pierson's influence extends deeply into new wave, pop culture, and queer communities, where she is celebrated as a trailblazing icon. As a co-founder of The B-52's, her flamboyant beehive hairstyle, thrift-store aesthetic, and soaring harmonies helped define the band's quirky, gender-fluid image, often mistaken for drag in early performances and paving the way for drag elements in mainstream music.^[68] The band's debut single "Rock Lobster" notably inspired John Lennon to resume recording after a five-year hiatus, as he cited its avant-garde style—reminiscent of Yoko Ono's work—as a sign that experimental sounds had caught up to his vision.^[69] This track and others like "Love Shack" have cemented The B-52's legacy in queer music history, influencing artists with their unapologetic weirdness and activism.^[70] In recent years, Pierson's impact continues through performances and advocacy. Her 2024 headline appearance at the O+ Festival in Kingston, New York, showcased solo material from Radios & Rainbows alongside wellness-focused arts programming, reinforcing her role as a beacon for creative and queer communities.^[71] Artists such as Iggy Pop, Jack White, and R.E.M. have cited Pierson's distinctive voice and style as inspirational, highlighting her lasting contributions to alternative and pop vocal traditions.^[72]