As Shore Regional High School celebrates its 50th Anniversary of existence in West Long Branch, one of its former students will trek down to Atlantic City with his legendary "New Wave" band that many consider "The World's Greatest Party Band".  Welcome Home Fred Schneider and The B-52's!

Fred will be celebrating his birthday just before The B-52's play at The Borgata on July 13th with Squeeze.  Schneider's last trip to the Jersey Shore involved visiting his mom for her 60th birthday about 2 years ago.

Fred was interviewed a couple years back about his memories around Shore Regional H.S. and he remembered being "teased mercilessly in school, but could always win a war of words - I have always loved the written and spoken word.  I wrote a lot of poetry in Long Branch.  I was also very lazy - some of the ideas became B’s songs".

Schneider has used his writing ability to great success in the B-52's having help create classic tunes like "Rock Lobster" (more popular now after its 1978 release), "Summer Of Love" (a Top-5 Dance hit in '86), "Channel Z" (#1 at Modern Rock in '89), "Love Shack" and "Roam" (their 2 biggest hits of their careers - both reached #3 on the Billboard chart), plus "Good Stuff" (another Modern Rock #1 in 1990).

The B-52's were consistently releasing CD's every 2-3 years between 1979-1992.  Their 6 releases saw sales of over 8 Million in the U.S., with the 1989 release "Cosmic Thing" selling over 4 Million.  The group took 16 years before releasing a CD with all new material in 2008.  "Funplex" debut on the Billboard Album chart at #11, and scored a Top-10 Dance hit.

A return to the Jersey Shore for Fred Schneider may include a trek to Asbury Park - no scheduled show for the B's there, but for Fred there are memories.  "As a child we went to the rides in Asbury Park", Schneider said to Richard Virgilio in 2010.  "Today, I go to the Salvation Army’s thrift store to buy albums."  May Fred's return trip to the Jersey Shore be fruitful!

Tickets for The 52's and Squeeze at The Borgata Event Center are on sale now for $55, and can be purchased through The Borgata's website.

 

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