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Associated Press
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Book Review: A new biography goes long and deep on the rise and fall of rock band Talking Heads
Talking Heads fans, rejoice! Hard on the heels of the re-release of 'Stop Making Sense,' the 1984 Jonathan Demme film widely considered the best concert movie ever made, Jonathan Gould has published a comprehensive biography of the seminal band that injected an art school vibe into popular music and forever changed rock 'n' roll. Gould, the author of well-received books on Otis Redding and the Beatles, chronicles in meticulous detail the rise and fall of the band that got its start in New York City's underground punk scene and ended up touring the world with a repertoire shaped by blues, funk and jazz. He begins 'Burning Down the House: Talking Heads and the New York Scene That Transformed Rock' with a vivid description of the drizzly June night in 1975 when the original trio – singer/songwriter David Byrne, bassist Tina Weymouth and drummer Chris Frantz – made its debut at the seedy club CBGB in downtown Manhattan, opening for the Ramones before a handful of patrons. With their 'unremarkable haircuts' and 'nondescript casual clothes,' they offered a sharp contrast to the 'baroque turn' that rock fashion had taken in the 1970s, Gould observes. 'The qualities that characterized this neophyte group in their first public performance centered on the awkward, disquieting intensity of their singer-guitarist, David Byrne, their sketchy, skeletal arrangements, and the quirky intelligence of their songs,' Gould writes. 'Tall and thin, with a long neck and an anxious, wide-eyed stare, Byrne stood stiffly at the microphone, his upper body jerking and jiggling like a shadow puppet as he scratched out chords on his guitar.… Instead of doing his best to command the stage and the room, Byrne looked trapped by his surroundings, as if he were prepared, at any moment, to make a break for the door.' Within a couple years of their zeitgeist-changing performances, they enlisted keyboardist/guitarist Jerry Harrison, adding a much-needed dose of professionalism to the band. Gould, a former professional musician, writes exceedingly well about music but suffers from a kind of completism, cramming in an almost mind-numbing level of detail including the name of the elementary school in Pittsburgh where a young Frantz first took up drums to every military posting of Weymouth's naval aviator father. Though much of the material is fascinating, including his observations about how Byrne's then-undiagnosed Asperger's syndrome may have influenced his music and relationships with the other band members, it is likely to be a bit too much for all but the most diehard fans. ___ AP book reviews:
New York Post
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Why the Talking Heads are still making more sense than ever 50 years later
Fifty years ago this month, three clean-cut art-school students who called themselves Talking Heads played an audition night at the Bowery club CBGB. Different from the other newly minted punk bands putting the New York City hole-in-the-wall on the map, frontman David Byrne, bassist Tina Weymouth, and drummer Chris Frantz looked and sounded like no one else. The skittish, hollow-eyed singer accompanied his strange, keening vocals and obtuse lyrics with hyper-rhythmic guitarwork, while the petite blond bassist (a rare mid-'70s axe-wielding female) and robust mop-top drummer held down the propulsive groove. Their catchy 'Psycho Killer' — with its sing-along chorus — immediately caught the attention of club owner Hilly Kristal, who booked them for a series of dates, including opening for the Ramones. 7 Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth, David Byrne, and Jerry Harrison of Talking Heads, which this year celebrates the 50th anniversary of its founding. Getty Images for BAM Later adding keyboardist/guitarist (and Harvard grad) Jerry Harrison, the band would become 'the most original, musically ambitious, and rigorously creative rock group of their time,' writes Jonathan Gould in his riveting new biography, 'Burning Down the House: Talking Heads and the New York Scene That Transformed Rock' (out June 16). The book deftly interrelates New York City's cultural, social, and economic history (from its bankruptcy and the downtown art scene to Son of Sam and the '80s boom) as the band evolves into an expanded group of both African-American and white musicians, ambitiously exploring ever-more innovative sounds. A former professional drummer and the author of well-received biographies of the Beatles and Otis Redding, Gould says that 'having grown up in New York, a big part of my attraction to the subject involved the chance to write about the change in the city's social life and geography over the past fifty years.' He focused on Talking Heads, he relates, because 'having written books about the archetype of a rock group and the archetype of a soul singer that together comprised an extended exploration of the centrality of race in Anglo-American popular music, I wanted to tell the story of a second-generation rock group's engagement with Black music — as dramatized by David Byrne.' 7 Frontman David Byrne lives with Asperger's Syndrome, which has heavily influenced his musical delivery. ©Island Alive Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection 7 Talking Heads: Tina Weymouth, Chris Frantz, Jerry Harrison, and David Byrne in an undated picture. ©Island Alive Pictures / Everett Collection Gould calls the Scottish-born, suburban Maryland-raised Byrne 'one of the 'whitest' men ever to front a rock group, but who transformed himself over the course of his career into a singer, musician, and performer embodying many of the most kinetic qualities of Black music while still maintaining an unequivocally 'white' identity.' From reinterpreting Al Green's 'Take Me to the River' to diving into the music of Africa and Latin America, Talking Heads released eight studio albums between 1977 and 1988. The group reunited once in 2002 to perform at their induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. More recently, the band reconvened for a public discussion at the Toronto Film Fest and with Stephen Colbert to celebrate the re-release of 'Stop Making Sense,' their seminal 1984 concert doc. 7 'Stop Making Sense,' the Talking Heads' seminal 1984 film, was rereleased last year for its 40th anniversary. Courtesy Everett Collection 7 Byrne in a scene from 'Stop Making Sense.' He was crucial in helping to refine and define the band's embrace of African-American musical traditions. ©Cinecom Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection In 'Burning Down the House,' Gould explores how Byrne's Asperger's syndrome affected his relationships, as well as how it 'exerted a strong influence on his creative sensibility, beginning with his tendency to approach most aspects of music-making without the sort of preconceptions that most of us accept as a way of trying to show other people that we know what we're doing.' Gould adds, 'David's Asperger's also contributed to his remarkable powers of concentration and observation, in part because people on the spectrum learn to pay very close attention to things as a way of navigating an unfamiliar and sometimes incomprehensible world. At the same time, I think it's important to put this in context. David's Asperger's was one of many influences on an artist who sought out and absorbed influences like a sponge. It was not the be-all-and-end-all of his personality or of his creative sensibility.' 7 'Talking Heads and the New York Scene That Transformed Rock' is written by Jonathan Gould. 7 Author Jonathan Gould finished the project even more of a fan of their music than when he began his book some five years ago. Richard Edelman In a gripping narrative, Gould traces Talking Heads' journey from their hometowns to their art schools, Chrystie Street loft, and eventual global stardom. He sharply analyzes their work and includes rich portraits of individuals, art movements, and music scenes in their orbit. While Gould interviewed the band's longtime friends and colleagues, all four declined to speak with him. 'Though I was initially disappointed that they chose not to cooperate with my research,' he says, 'I've come to regard it as a blessing in disguise. I have the feeling that not speaking with them insulated me enough from their conflicting personal narratives to enable me to gain perspective on the formation and musical evolution of the band.' Gould finished the project even more of a fan of their music than when he began his book some five years ago. 'Initially, I was drawn most strongly to the trio of albums — Fear of Music, Remain in Light, and Speaking in Tongues — that had the greatest ambition and intensity,' he relates. 'As a drummer, I have a great appreciation of Chris's playing, beginning with his steadiness and solidity. And I consider David to be a genius — a word I don't use lightly — on account of the utterly distinctive nature of his singing, guitar playing, and songwriting. Simply put, I can't think of anyone else in popular music who sounds like him or writes like him.'
Daily Mail
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Legendary US rock band send supporters wild after dropping MAJOR hint they are reuniting this summer
Talking Heads sent fans into a frenzy after posting a cryptic message on their social media on Monday. The legendary US rock band - consisting of front man David Byrne, bassist Tina Weymouth, drummer Chris Fantz and guitarist Jerri Harrison - shot to stardom after forming in 1975. During a 16-year period together the band achieved commercial and critical success thanks to much-loved tracks such as Once in a Lifetime and Road to Nowhere before they split in 1991. Now, many supporters think they may finally have got their wish for a reunion after the band posted an obscure video on social media. The animation simply showed the sun and the moon rising behind the caption: 'June 5, 2025.' From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. The date actually marks exactly 50 years since the group's first ever show at the CBGB club in New York, leaving supporters wondering whether a reunion tour could be on the cards this summer. Thousands of excited fans took to the comments section, writing: 'announce a tour i date are you', 'Just get back together for some shows and make the world a brighter place!', 'IS TALKING HEADS COMING BACK DON'T PLAY WITH MY FEELINGS', 'Give the people what they really want and need, and that's a tour!!!' It would be the first time the band - who have four albums named in the 2003 Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list - have performed a live show together since 1984. If supporters' suspicions are indeed true and Talking Heads are reuniting, it would likely mean the four band members had a change of mind on an offer they received some six months ago. The group reportedly turned down a whopping $80million offered to them by Live Nation in December for a reunion tour consisting of six to eight festival and concert gigs, Billboard reported. It came months after the group's lead singer David mended a rift with his former band mates ready for the 40th anniversary of Stop Making Sense, their concert film, which debuted in 1984. Coachella's curator Paul Tollett told Billboard he also approached the band members in September to play at the iconic California festival - but said that he 'sensed there were no shows happening, so I didn't make an offer.' Talking Heads announced their split in December 1991, with the bandmembers excluding David briefly and continuing touring as Shrunken Heads. After a screening of their movie anniversary in September, they did a Q&A with filmmaker Spike Lee, where Chris said: 'It's so good to be here with my bandmates tonight. It's been a long time.' According to the LA Times, all four members sat in separate rows to watch the film, but claimed '[no] tensions were on display'. Jerry recently said working together on the re-worked film had been a 'healing experience' for the group. He revealed: 'We get along OK. It's all very cordial and whatever. It's not like we're all best friends. But everybody's very happy to see this film coming back out. 'We're all united in the fact that we really love what we did here. So that kind of helps us talk to one another and get along.' When the group split, Chris said their breakup had been caused by David and that he had learned his bandmate was leaving from a Los Angeles Times article. He said at the time: 'As far as we're concerned, the band never really broke up. David just decided to leave. 'We were never too pleased about the way David handled the situation.' David has spoken about his regret over the way the band disbanded, telling People last month: 'As a younger person, I was not as pleasant to be around. When I was working on some Talking Heads shows, I was more of a little tyrant. 'And then I learned to relax and I also learned that, collaborating with people, both sides get more if there's a good relationship instead of me telling everybody what to do. 'I think [the end] wasn't handled well. It was kind of ugly. I have regrets on how that was handled. 'I don't think I did it in the best way, but I think it was kind of inevitable that would happen anyway.'
The Sun
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Legendary 70s band drop massive clue they're reuniting 41 years after last live performance
AN iconic US rock band has teased fans with news of a possible upcoming reunion. The acclaimed rock stars - who were together for 16 years - haven't performed since 1975. 6 6 New Wave band Talking Heads, best known for their hits Once in a Lifetime and Road to Nowhere could be reforming following a cryptic social media clue. Excited music lovers have gone wild after the band's official Instagram page posted an obscure video animation. The short footage simply features the date: "6/5/2025." The precise date refers back to June 5, 1975, when Talking Heads played its first-ever show at the CBGB club in New York. Fans begged: "Just get back together for some shows and make the world a brighter place!" A second penned: "You teases!" A third argued: "Give the people what they really want and need, and that's a tour!!!!" The band has not played together since their last gig on February 6, 1984 in New Zealand. In January 2024, it was reported that the band turned down tens of millions to reunite after being approached to perform at six to eight festivals, including headlining slots. Despite receiving an alleged £62m offer, Billboard claimed the group's four members - David Byrne, Jerry Harrison, Frantz and Tina Weymouth - walked away. 70s pop legend eyes a spot at Glastonbury as he launches huge comeback with new album and doc The band released their final album Naked in 1988 before disbanding in 1991. Talking Heads rebranded as Shrunken Heads and toured briefly before going their separate ways. In 2003, Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time included four albums by the band. Their songs Psycho Killer, Life During Wartime and Once in a Lifetime were included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll. 6 6 6 6
The Irish Sun
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Legendary 70s band drop massive clue they're reuniting 41 years after last live performance
AN iconic US rock band has teased fans with news of a possible upcoming reunion. The acclaimed rock stars - who were together for 16 years - haven't performed since 1975. 6 The video footage simply read the date "6/5/2025" Credit: tiktok/@talkingheads 6 A reunion for the ground-breaking rock band could be on the cards Credit: tiktok/@talkingheads New Wave band , best known for their hits Once in a Lifetime and Road to Nowhere could be reforming following a cryptic social media clue. Excited music lovers have gone wild after the band's official Instagram page posted an obscure video animation. The short footage simply features the date: "6/5/2025." The precise date refers back to June 5, 1975, when Talking Heads played its first-ever show at the CBGB club in New York. Read more Fans begged: "Just get back together for some shows and make the world a brighter place!" A second penned: "You teases!" A third argued: "Give the people what they really want and need, and that's a tour!!!!" The band has not played together since their last gig on February 6, 1984 in New Zealand. Most read in Celebrity In January 2024, it was reported that the band turned down tens of millions to reunite after being approached to perform at six to eight festivals, including headlining slots. Despite receiving an alleged £62m offer, 70s pop legend eyes a spot at Glastonbury as he launches huge comeback with new album and doc The band released their final album Naked in 1988 before disbanding in 1991. Talking Heads rebranded as Shrunken Heads and toured briefly before going their separate ways. In 2003, Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time included four albums by the band. Their songs Psycho Killer, Life During Wartime and Once in a Lifetime were included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll. 6 Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth, David Byrne and Jerry Harrison in 2023 Credit: Getty 6 The band were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002 Credit: Alamy 6 The New York City-based band formed in 1975 Credit: Alamy 6 The band split in December 1991 Credit: Alamy
