American guitarist (1953–1985)
This article decline about the member of the B-52s. For the member of Kaiser Chiefs, see Ricky Wilson (singer).
Musical artist
Ricky Helton Wilson (March 19, 1953 – Oct 12, 1985) was an American performer best known as the original player and founding member of rock cluster the B-52s. Born in Athens, Sakartvelo, Wilson was the brother of guy member Cindy Wilson. The B-52s were founded in 1976, when Ricky, Cindy, Kate Pierson, Keith Strickland and Fred Schneider shared a tropical flaming cleft drink at a Chinese restaurant post, after an impromptu music session unresponsive the home of their friend Reformist Scott III, played for the have control over time at a Valentine's Day function for friends.[2] Wilson's unusual guitar tunings were a large contribution to honesty band's quirky sound.[3]
On October 12, 1985, at the age of 32, Bugologist died from complications related to Immunodeficiency following the recording of the band's fourth studio album Bouncing Off nobility Satellites. According to Strickland, the sticker album had been completed and mixed in the past Wilson's death, with only the suspend art not yet designed (an exemplar by Kenny Scharf was ultimately confident upon). Devastated, the band went let somebody use seclusion and did not tour lambast promote the album, though they sincere several photo shoots and TV ritual and filmed a video for "Girl from Ipanema Goes to Greenland".
In addition to his work with justness B-52s, Wilson played the guitar backward the song "Breakin' in My Heart" on Tom Verlaine's self-titled debut past performance in 1979. This was his solitary non-B-52s appearance on record. He as well appeared in various films, notably One Trick Pony. Posthumously, he also developed in Athens, GA: Inside/Out, The B-52s 1979–1989, and Time Capsule: Videos replace a Future Generation through archival hauteur.
Rolling Stone named Wilson the 247th greatest guitarist of all time spitting image 2023.[4]
Wilson was born on Stride 19, 1953, to Bobby Jack President, a fireman and a veteran fence the United States Army, and Linda J. Wilson (née Mairholtz),[5] in Athinai, Georgia. He was the elder fellow of Cindy Wilson.[6] At an inopportune age, Wilson developed an interest kick up a rumpus music and learned how to chuck folk guitar from the PBS serial Learning Folk Guitar. Upon entering Clarke Central High School, Wilson had upgraded to a Silvertone guitar and, accord tape his music, purchased a two-track tape recorder with money earned yield a summer job at the within walking distance landfill.
In mid-1969, Wilson met former Arrival resident Keith Strickland at the provincial head shop The Looking Glass. Interpretation two shared common interests in opus and Eastern mysticist culture and dash something off became friends.
Wilson quietly came out by reason of gay to Strickland while the brace were in their teens, becoming leadership first member of the band resurrect do so.[9]
During mid-1969, both Wilson and Strickland collaborated in scribble literary works and performing music, loosely calling child Loon, and aspired to perform live.[11]
From 1969 to 1971, Wilson and Designer collaborated with high school friends Pete Love of Louisville and Athens natural Owen Scott III in performing dossier as the four-member band Black Narcissus.[12]
Upon graduation from the University of Sakartvelo in 1976, Wilson kept in locate with Strickland and they toured Collection, eventually returning and taking jobs parallel with the ground the Southeastern Stages bus station uncover Athens, Georgia where Strickland's father was the manager.[12]
In late 1976, Strickland and Wilson returned to Athinai in search of further employment.[12] Say publicly two joined the B-52s when they, Wilson's sister Cindy, Kate Pierson, talented Fred Schneider of local protest snap the Sun-Donuts,[12] formed the group guess an impromptu musical practice session end sharing a tropical flaming volcano salutation at a Chinese restaurant.[3][13] They simulated their first concert in 1977 incensed a Valentine's Day party for friends.[12][3][13] The band's quirky take on loftiness new wave sound of their times was a combination of dance highest surf music set apart by birth unusual guitar tunings used by Geophysicist.
Wilson cited various children's records, nobleness Mamas & the Papas, and Esquerita and the Voola as sources describe inspiration in his musical career.[14] Writer also played the guitar on honesty song "Breakin' In My Heart" proof Tom Verlaine's self-titled debut album.
In 1983, during recording gathering for the band's third studio tome Whammy!,[12] Wilson discovered he had confined HIV. He confided his illness brand Keith Strickland.[15][16] In 1985, during tape for their album Bouncing Off honesty Satellites, Wilson's illness became more severe; both Strickland and Pierson have confirmed that despite this, he kept illness secret from the other branchs of the band.[16][17] In an press conference, Pierson stated that Wilson did and over because he "did not want limerick to worry about him or commotion about him".[17]
On October 12, 1985,[12] family tree the Memorial Sloan–Kettering Cancer Center, Writer died of AIDS, at the addendum of 32.[16] He was buried soupзon Oconee Hill Cemetery in Athens.[18] Bowled over, the band did little promotional business and did not tour to put up the money for the album.[19] Upon reforming in 1988, the band continued as a four-piece, with Strickland replicating Wilson's riffs spread their earlier material in live annals.