Ricky Wilson | |
|---|---|
&sq=&lang=&file=File:Ricky_Wilson_performing_live.jpg) Wilson performing c. 1981 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Ricky Helton Wilson |
| Born | March 19, 1953 Athens, Georgia, U.S. |
| Died | October 12, 1985 (aged 32) New York City, U.S. |
| Genres | New wave, post-punk |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instrument(s) | Guitar, bass, keyboards |
| Years active | 1973–1985 |
| Formerly of | The B-52's |
| Website | theb52s |
Ricky Helton Wilson (March 19, 1953 – October 12, 1985)[1] was an American musician best known as the original guitarist and founding member of rock band the B-52s. Born in Athens, Georgia, Wilson was the brother of fellow member Cindy Wilson. The B-52s were founded in 1976, when Ricky, Cindy, Kate Pierson, Keith Strickland and Fred Schneider shared a tropical flaming volcano drink at a Chinese restaurant and, after an impromptu music session at the home of their friend Owen Scott III, played for the first time at a Valentine's Day party for friends.[2] Wilson's unusual guitar tunings were a large contribution to the band's quirky sound.[3]
On October 12, 1985, at the age of 32, Wilson died from complications related to AIDS following the recording of the band's fourth studio album Bouncing Off the Satellites. According to Strickland, the album had been completed and mixed before Wilson's death, with only the cover art not yet designed (an illustration by Kenny Scharf was ultimately decided upon). Devastated, the band went into seclusion and did not tour to promote the album, though they did several photo shoots and TV appearances and filmed a video for "Girl from Ipanema Goes to Greenland".
In addition to his work with the B-52s, Wilson played the guitar on the song "Breakin' in My Heart" on Tom Verlaine's self-titled debut album in 1979. This was his only non-B-52s appearance on record. He also appeared in various films, notably One Trick Pony. Posthumously, he also appeared in Athens, GA: Inside/Out, The B-52s 1979–1989, and The B-52s Time Capsule: Videos for a Future Generation 1979–1998 through archival footage.
Rolling Stone named Wilson the 247th greatest guitarist of all time in 2023.[4]
- ^ Sexton 2002, p. 75.
- ^ Che, Cathay (February 5, 2002). "52's still rockin' at 25". The Advocate. p. 62. Retrieved March 8, 2007.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Rolling Stonewas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "The 250 Greatest Guitarists of All Time". Rolling Stone. October 13, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2023.