B-52s singer to take part in West Virginia Music Hall induction

Published 9:07 am Thursday, December 14, 2017

CHARLESTON — Two legends of the punk/New Wave scene will be honoring West Virginia’s native musicians early next year.

The West Virginia Music Hall of Fame has announced that B-52s vocalist Kate Pierson will take part in the Feb. 10 induction ceremony for the hall.

Pierson will honor actress, artist and musician Ann Magnuson, a Charleston native.

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“Ann is an actress, innovator, performance artist, musician and wild child who helped define the New York post-punk art and music scene,” Pierson, who recently recorded with Magnuson, said in the announcement. “And she blasted through it all with some serious fun and madness!”

Pierson joins a line-up that already includes pioneering punk singer Patti Smith, who will be on hand to honor her late husband Fred “Sonic” Smith, a West Virginia native and member of influential band the MC5.

Other 2018 inductees include Hasil Adkins, Frank Hutchison, Ann Magnuson, The Morris Brothers, Fred “Sonic” Smith and Kenova native Michael W. Smith.

The ceremony will take place at the Culture Center Theater in Charleston and will be broadcast live across the state on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

Advance general admission tickets are $75 and $95 at the door. “Preferred Tickets” are $250 and include admittance to the Friday night meet and greet, the Governor’s Reception before the event and the after-show party.

Tickets are available at Taylor Books and through the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame web site at www.wvhof.com and the music hall’s office at 304-342-4412.