Kate Pierson

Kate Pierson
Pierson smiling
Pierson performing with the B-52s in 2009
Background information
Birth nameCatherine Elizabeth Pierson
Born (1948-04-27) April 27, 1948 (age 76)
Weehawken, New Jersey, U.S.
GenresRock, new wave
Occupations
  • Musician
  • singer
  • songwriter
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • keyboards
  • guitar
  • bass
  • percussion
Years active1979–present
Labels
Member ofThe B-52's
Formerly ofNiNa

Catherine Elizabeth Pierson (born April 27, 1948)[1] is an American singer, lyricist, and founding member of the B-52s. She plays guitar, bass and various keyboard instruments. In the early years, as well as being a vocalist, Pierson was the main keyboard player and performed on a keyboard bass during live shows and on many of the band's recordings, taking on a role usually filled by a bass guitar player, which differentiated the band from their contemporaries. This, along with Pierson's distinctive wide-ranging singing voice, remains a trademark of the B-52s' unique sound. Pierson has also collaborated with many other artists including the Ramones, Iggy Pop and R.E.M. Pierson possesses a mezzo-soprano vocal range.

In February 2015, Pierson released her first solo album, Guitars and Microphones, featuring material co-written by Sia.[2] She later released the non-album single "Better Not Sting the Bee", and then she released an April 16, 2016 cover of "Venus" as a single. Side B included "Radio In Bed" written by Kate and her wife Monica Coleman. Both tracks were produced by Jack White.

  1. ^ "Kate Pierson". Biography. Archived from the original on July 7, 2016. Retrieved July 13, 2016.
  2. ^ Interview, blogs.browardpalmbeach.com; accessed March 24, 2015.