The B-52's--Love Shack (1989)/Roam (1989)/Deadbeat Club (1990)

     The B-52's have to be one of the quirkiest (and best) party bands ever. Taking the best elements of a 60's dance party esthetic (in sound and style), new wave (which in my opinion was a direct result of the 60's as well) and 80's style oddness that was always danceable has allowed them to continue to be popular over 20 years after the last hit.
      That shouldn't be surprising considering for the 10 years previous to these songs they held that mantle of "party band"as well. What was interesting was the top 40 success in the late 80'sseemed to have come out of nowhere. They had a influence on the US version of  new wave in 1979--1983 with their debut, "The B-'52's", "Wild Planet", and "Wammy". But with the death of guitarist Ricky Wilson in 1985, the group went into a tailspin and it was thought for the most part that it was over. 
     During the few years they were not touring, drummer Keith Strickland began to take up guitar and writing songs. After hearing his offerings, the rest of the group began writing together what was to become, "Cosmic Thing" which spawned three top 40 hits and gave them success they could never have imagined. They still tour, and although recording sporadically, each of their last two albums reached top 20 status.