The B-52s are touring on their 40th anniversary - sort of

Kate Pierson, left, and Fred Schneider, of The B-52s, pose for a portrait in New York to promote their 40th anniversary. Photo / AP

The B-52s are celebrating their 40th anniversary this year. But they also may celebrate it next year. That is, if they haven't already hit the milestone.

There's no fuzzy math here - it's just a matter of which date adequately represents the origin of the band, which began in Athens, Georgia.

Vocalist Fred Schneider considers 2018 as their ruby anniversary. "This is 40 years since our first single came out," Schneider said. That was the year they released Rock Lobster.

The band's other vocalist, Kate Pierson, interprets their anniversary a bit more liberally.

"We started in 1976 jamming and we played our first show on Valentine's Day 1977, so we can mark 40 from there or we can mark 40 from 1979 when we did our first record," Pierson said, referring to their debut album.

Then she added: "We're milking the 40 anniversary because it's flexible."

Their reputation as "the world's greatest party band" has thrived since the late 1970s. Yet, while their sound remained upbeat, the band had some dark days, most notably the death of founding member Ricky Wilson, who died from Aids in 1985.

"There's always ups and downs in 40 years. And Ricky's death in 1985 was definitely a point where ... that seemed like the end," Pierson said.

Instead, they rebounded with Cosmic Thing and scored their most successful album, and biggest hit single, Love Shack, in 1989.

Pierson attributes their longevity to friendship above all else.

- AP