The B-52's – Rock Lobster (45 Version) / 6060-842
The music gear and equipment used by the artists, producers, engineers, and more involved in the making of the 1979 single Rock Lobster (45 Version) / 6060-842.
Music from Rock Lobster (45 Version) / 6060-842
Artists on Rock Lobster (45 Version) / 6060-842
Gear Used On Rock Lobster (45 Version) / 6060-842
Explore the instruments, equipment, software, and production tools used in the making of The B-52's – Rock Lobster (45 Version) / 6060-842 (1979). Click more on each item to see exactly how it was used.
Guitars used by Ricky Wilson (B-52's) on Rock Lobster (45 Version) / 6060-842
Avg price: $334.28
This is a super early video (Early 1978) of the B-52s showing Ricky Wilson playing a Ibanez Telecaster Copy in CFxxFF tuning on the hit Rock Lobster before the first album was even made. There's no mention of it in interviews because this guitar is very early in Ricky's career.
The way to tell it's an Ibanez is at around 3:10 - we get close to Ricky and a few clues are visible....
Looks like the cable is coming from the control plate, like said Ibanez tele
Headstock looks longer than normal, quite a bit of space between the nut and where the tuner side flanges out like the Ibanez in the equiptment pic
The bridge is shaped just like the "ash-tray" cover on those old Japanese Telecaster copies.
Ricky's tele copy may have been modified though, the bridge pickup appears to be white plastic, and it appears there is no neck pickup.
Ricky playing a Yamaha SF 1000 on Rock lobster here ;)
Kate Pierson
Roles:
Keyboards and Synthesizers used by Kate Pierson on Rock Lobster (45 Version) / 6060-842
Avg price: $834.71
Kate Pierson used a Farfisa Compact Deluxe in the original B-52's lineup. The organ is featured on many of the band’s hits, such as “Planet Claire” and “Rock Lobster.”
In 2015, she posted this photo of her organ on Facebook with the caption, “Original B52s Farfisa organ getting tuneup.” In the comments, she wrote, “This is the original we used in 'planet claire' and all songs on first record - the bass parts on this too.”
The same organ was on display at The Met starting in 2019. The display’s plaque read:
Combo Compact Deluxe, Farfisa (Italian)
Kate Pierson, ca. 1964–1968
The Farfisa company, originally a maker of accordions, began manufacturing transistor organs in Italy in the early 1960s before transitioning to synthesizers in the 1970s. Sam the Sham was one of the earliest rock organists to play a Farfisa; his group the Pharaohs recorded their hit “Wooly Bully” with one in 1965. This organ belongs to Kate Pierson of the B-52’s, who used it to record songs such as “Planet Claire” and “Rock Lobster.” The organ’s bright and warbly tone contributed to the band’s eccentric flair. Other notable bands who incorporated the Farfisa include Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and Sly and the Family Stone.