Fred Schneider, the iconic voice of The B-52s, known for his distinctive vocals on hits like “Rock Lobster,” has long been an advocate for animal rights, especially when it comes to our shelled friends of the sea. To mark the 35th anniversary of their breakthrough song, “Rock Lobster,” Schneider is narrating a powerful new PETA exposé, bringing to light the grim realities within crab and lobster slaughterhouses and passionately arguing why crustaceans deserve to be recognized as sea life, not just seafood.
Schneider, a vegetarian since childhood, offers a personal glimpse into the experiences that shaped his views in an exclusive statement. His journey began in his early years, witnessing firsthand the harsh treatment of crabs, an event that solidified his lifelong commitment to vegetarianism and animal welfare. “I grew up in New Jersey,” Schneider recounts, “and every summer we visited relatives near Toms River. They had a boat, and we all would go crabbing out in the bay.” This seemingly idyllic pastime took a dark turn for young Fred when he witnessed the crabs being prepared for cooking. “We always caught a lot of crabs and brought them back to cook. I was 4, and I watched as they started putting the live crabs in a big pot of boiling water. I was horrified and would never eat crab again.” This early trauma cemented his resolve to abstain from consuming crustaceans and fueled his broader concern for animal welfare.
The inspiration behind the quirky hit “Rock Lobster,” surprisingly, had nothing to do with culinary cravings. Schneider reveals the song’s genesis: “I got the idea for the song ‘Rock Lobster’ watching a slide show in an Atlanta disco in the late ’70s.” Far from a sophisticated light show, the disco displayed a bizarre mix of images. “There obviously was no budget for a light show, so they showed slides of puppies, children, and … lobsters on a grill! Ridiculous!” This absurd juxtaposition sparked an idea. “But I thought, ‘Hmm, rock this, rock that … rock lobster!'” He shared the concept with his bandmates, and “we jammed on the title,” giving birth to the now-classic track “Rock Lobster” by The B-52s.
Despite the song’s playful nature, Schneider has remained serious about his stance on crustacean consumption. The band actively discouraged fans from bringing live lobsters to shows and even turned down lucrative offers that clashed with their principles. “Unfortunately, people would bring live lobsters to shows, offer dinners as prizes, etc. But we put a stop to that.” Their commitment went as far as rejecting commercial endorsements that would compromise their values. “We even had an offer from a soup company to sell the song to promote a lobster bisque—I refused.” Schneider’s principles extend beyond the stage and studio. “To this day, I don’t go to dinners on the beach and am appalled by people cooking any sea life.” He hopes his collaboration with PETA and the accompanying video will make a significant impact, urging people to reconsider their perception of crustaceans. “I hope my narration and the video will resonate with people everywhere.”
This PETA collaboration is not an isolated incident but rather a continuation of Schneider’s long-standing activism. He has consistently used his platform to advocate for animal rights, having previously recorded a radio spot urging a boycott of the Maine Lobster Festival and even appealing to the Atlanta City Council to ban bullhooks. The B-52s’ commitment to animal welfare is a band-wide ethos, demonstrated by their headlining PETA’s “Rock Against Fur” concert in New York City in the 1980s. Further solidifying their dedication, Fred Schneider and fellow B-52s member Kate Pierson co-hosted PETA’s first major rally in Washington, D.C., in 1988, as seen in the image below.
Schneider’s ongoing efforts, amplified by the enduring popularity of “Rock Lobster,” serve as a powerful reminder to consider the ethical implications of our dietary choices. By viewing crustaceans as sentient beings deserving of respect, rather than mere seafood, we can make more compassionate choices. If the thought of boiling lobsters and crabs alive is unsettling, take action by sharing Fred’s impactful video and spreading awareness. Let’s allow lobsters and crabs to rock on in their natural habitats.
