The B-52's

Cindy Wilson departed the next year, not returning until touring began for a 1998 (see 1998 in music) greatest hits collection entitled Time Capsule: Songs For a Future Generation. Bilal is also the name of a neo soul musician who took his stage name from the original Bilal. In 1999, Pierson recorded with Nina, a Japanese/American/British band. He was known for his beautiful voice for he was the first man to call people to their prayers. In 1992 they released the album Good Stuff. Muhammad later freed him completely and appointed him as muezzin. The band spent three years recovering, and returned with Cosmic Thing in 1989 (see 1989 in music), which launched three hits, "Roam", "Deadbeat Club" and "Love Shack", which is perhaps their most well-remembered song today. Abu Bakr, upon witnessing this torture, bought Bilal from Umayya so that Bilal could practice Islam freely.

After Whammy! in 1983 (see 1983 in music), a Schneider solo album and Bouncing Off the Satellites (1986; see 1986 in music), Ricky Wilson died of what was later revealed to be AIDS-related causes. Umayya would have Bilal laid in the scorching sand in the desert, during the hottest hours of the day, with heavy rocks placed on his chest to prevent him from moving. Though recording sessions with David Byrne (of Talking Heads) failed, the recordings were released as Mesopotamia in 1982 (see 1982 in music). When Umayya learned of his slave's conversion, he decided to torture Bilal. Although part of the new wave movement, their music was weirder and more experimental than most new wave, indulging in all manner of odd vocal and synth effects, creating a quirky dance sound that became very popular in the fringes of the music world. When he heard Muhammad preaching he decided to convert to Islam. Their debut, The B-52's, was a minor hit, and the follow-up, Wild Planet, reached the Top 20 on the album charts. He was a slave owned by Umayya.

Their first single, "Rock Lobster" in 1978 (see 1978 in music), was an underground success that led to the B-52's performing at CBGB's and Max's Kansas City in New York City. In Muslim tradition, Bilal ibn Rabah was an Abyssinian who Muhammad chose as his muezzin, and was the first black convert to Islam. Along with Wilson and Pierson, Keith Strickland, Ricky Wilson and Fred Schneider formed the band after a drunken night at a Chinese restaurant. The name comes from the bouffant wigs that are a part of the band's distinctive look, worn by singers Cindy Wilson and Kate Pierson. The B-52's are a rock band from Athens, Georgia, the first of many from the college town that has become one of the most important centers in alternative rock.

Nude on the Moon [anthology] (2002). Time Capsule: the Remixes [compilation]. Time Capsule [compilation] (1998). Good Stuff (1992).

Cosmic Thing (1989). Bouncing Off the Satellites (1986). Whammy! (1983). Party Mix / Mesopotamia [re-release].

Mesopotamia (1982). Party Mix. Wild Planet (1980). The B-52's (1979).