Former Talking Heads frontman David Byrne has spoken out about the reported state of his relationship with his ex-bandmates.
The 1970’s and 1980’s rock band are gearing up for an extremely rare reunion next month to commemorate the 40th anniversary reissue of the cult classic concert film “Stop Making Sense.” The soundtrack will also be rereleased on two LPs tomorrow, August 18th.
The band, who were originally together from the mid-seventies until the early nineties, have rarely made public appearances together in the years since. Talking Heads were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002, and briefly reunited on stage together.
Rumors surrounding the group’s relationship with Byrne have circulated for years, and now the 70-year-old is speaking out.
‘Stop Making Sense’ Will Be Reissued In 4K Resolution
The hit concert film was directed by Jonathan Demme, and filmed in California in late 1983. The band released one of their most commercially successful LPs “Speaking In Tongues” that year, which produced one of their biggest hits “Burning Down The House.”
The song was prominently featured in 2004’s “13 Going On 30” starring Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo.
The upcoming reunion and screening will take place at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 11th, the question and answer session will be moderated by Spike Lee, according to Rolling Stone.
Fan reaction to the news on social media hovered around excitement to downright shock. Many fans on X chatted about the possibility of the band having trouble getting along, and the need to beef up security. (per The Blast)
Byrne Is Breaking His Silence Ahead Of The Screening
Byrne sat down with People Magazine in the wake of the reunion news, and shared his thoughts about the end of Talking Heads.
The “Once In A Lifetime” singer was frank in his assessment of the band’s final days.
“As a younger person, I was not as pleasant to be around,” he told the outlet, per Stereogum. “When I was working on some Talking Heads shows, I was a bit 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,” Byrne reflected.
“I think [the end] wasn’t handled well. It was kind of ugly,” he continued. “I have regrets about how that was handled. I don’t think I did it in the best way, but I think it was kind of inevitable that it would happen anyway,” The “Born Under Punches” singer went on. “We have a cordial relationship now. We’re sort of in touch, but we don’t hang out together,” he continued.
Although the band’s upcoming reunion will be a conversation instead of a concert, it will be their first public appearance together in 21 years.
The band hasn’t toured since 1984, the same year as “Stop Making Sense”s theatrical release. The band would perform on stage together five years later for a Tom Tom Club gig; Tom Tom Club is the brain child of bassist Tina Weymouth and her husband, Talking Heads drummer Chris Frantz. Their 1981 hit “Genius Of Love” has received massive success over the years in dance clubs and commercials, alike. (per Stereogum)
Fans will have the chance to see “Stop Making Sense” in IMAX theaters first on September 22nd, before the film’s wide release on the 29th! (via Economic Times)