Ricky Wilson (American Musician)

Ricky Wilson (American Musician)

Ricky Helton Wilson (March 19, 1953 – October 12, 1985) was an American instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, and musician. He was best known as the original guitarist and founding member of New Wave rock band the B-52's. Born in Athens, Georgia, Wilson was the brother of fellow member Cindy Wilson. He originally joined the B-52's in 1977, when he, his sister 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.

On October 12, 1985, at the age of 32, Wilson died from AIDS/HIV-related health complications following the recording of the band's fourth studio album Bouncing off the Satellites. Devastated, the band went into seclusion and did not tour to promote the album. Prior to his death, Wilson played the guitar on the song "Breakin' In My Heart" on Tom Verlaine's self-titled debut album. He also appeared in various films, namely One Trick Pony. Posthumously he also appeared in Athens, GA: Inside/Out, The B-52's 1979-1989, and The B-52's Time Capsule: Videos for a Future Generation 1979-1998 through archival footage.