In 1994, The B-52s recorded a few songs for the soundtrack to the film The Flintstones. Songs they recorded included "(Meet) The Flintstones" and "The Bedrock Twitch." Recently, Peta informed the group that Carson & Barnes Circus in Kissimmee, Florida was using those sound recordings in conjunction with performances including elephants. B-52s’ Kate Pierson, Fred Schneider, Cindy Wilson and Keith Strickland issued an open letter to the circus.
They stated, in part, “We were alarmed when we learned from our friends at PETA that your ‘animal care director,’ Tim Frisco, used our songs during his Carson & Barnes act featuring three elephants in Kissimmee, Florida, recently. We’ve seen the footage of Frisco cursing at elephants, shocking them with electric prods, and telling his trainers to drive bullhooks — heavy weapons with sharp steel tips — into their bodies and twist them until the animals scream in pain. We’re also aware of Carson & Barnes’ multiple violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act for failing to provide animals with minimum space, protection from the weather, and necessities such as clean water and adequate veterinary care.”
A spokesperson for the circus responded to further inquiry by Rolling Stone magazine. Jennifer Wisener stated “After some investigation, we discovered that the songs in question were used during a performance under the control of another entertainment entity. Our elephants did participate in a circus performance that featured a Flintstone production. However, Carson & Barnes Circus had no control over the music selection that played during that performance.”
Read the full cease and desist below.
B-52s Statement We were alarmed when we learned from our friends at PETA that your “animal care director,” Tim Frisco, used our songs “(Meet) The Flintstones” and “The Bedrock Twitch” during his Carson & Barnes act featuring three elephants in Kissimmee, Florida, recently.
We’ve seen the footage of Frisco cursing at elephants, shocking them with electric prods, and telling his trainers to drive bullhooks—heavy weapons with sharp steel tips—into their bodies and twist them until the animals scream in pain. We’re also aware of Carson & Barnes’ multiple violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act for failing to provide animals with minimum space, protection from the weather, and necessities such as clean water and adequate veterinary care.
Kelly Miller Circus, which once used elephants from your circus, is now animal-free. Stardust Circus recently dropped your elephant act, and Cole Bros. Circus—where Frisco was a trainer—stopped touring. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus closed down because it wouldn’t change with the times. Carson & Barnes should follow the lead of Kelly Miller, Circus Vargas, Cirque Italia, and all the other circuses that are thriving because they feature only willing human performers.
This letter shall serve as our demand that Carson & Barnes immediately cease and desist from any and all further use of any B-52s music in connection with any circus act or performance. Should you ignore this demand, we reserve the right to pursue all applicable legal remedies available to us.
We and our songs are all about freedom and fun—things that animals in the circus sadly never experience.
Sincerely,
Kate Pierson, Fred Schneider, Cindy Wilson, and Keith Strickland The B-52s