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Talking Heads

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Band Timeline

1973

Formation of the precursor to Talking Heads at Rhode Island School of Design

David Byrne and Chris Frantz formed a band named the Artistics while studying at the Rhode Island School of Design in 1973. This group played proto-punk music and covered songs by influential artists such as the Sonics and the Who. Tina Weymouth, then Chris Frantz's girlfriend, was involved in supporting this band. This early collaboration laid the groundwork for the formation of Talking Heads, as members developed their musical synergy and style in this early stage.
1975

Formation of Talking Heads and first performance

In 1975, David Byrne, Chris Frantz, and Tina Weymouth moved to New York City and formed Talking Heads after recruiting Jerry Harrison as guitarist-keyboardist. The band played their first gig opening for the Ramones at the iconic CBGB club on June 5. The band's name was inspired by a TV Guide term describing the nature of televised talking heads as "all content, no action," reflecting their art rock sensibility. This marked the official beginning of a prominent band that would influence new wave and alternative music.
1977

Release of debut album 'Talking Heads: 77' and signing with Sire Records

Talking Heads signed with Sire Records in 1976, and the following year they released their debut album "Talking Heads: 77." The album received positive reviews and began establishing their unique blend of punk, art rock, and funk influences. This release cemented their presence in the New York punk scene and introduced their distinctive anxious yet artful image, helping them gain critical acclaim and build a dedicated fan base.
1978-1980

Collaboration with Brian Eno and experimentation in music style

Between 1978 and 1980, Talking Heads collaborated with renowned British producer Brian Eno on three influential albums: "More Songs About Buildings and Food" (1978), "Fear of Music" (1979), and "Remain in Light" (1980). These albums highlighted the band's experimentation with funk, world music, and art school sensibilities, incorporating influences from artists like Parliament-Funkadelic and Fela Kuti. This period was crucial for evolving their sound, making them pioneers in the new wave genre and pushing artistic boundaries in popular music.
1983

Commercial peak with 'Speaking in Tongues' and hit single

In 1983, Talking Heads reached a commercial peak with their album "Speaking in Tongues," which included the U.S. Top 10 hit "Burning Down the House." This success brought them mainstream recognition and expanded their audience. The album's fusion of funk, rock, and new wave elements showcased the band's evolving musical style and helped solidify their place as one of the most critically acclaimed groups of the 1980s.
1984

Release of concert film 'Stop Making Sense'

Talking Heads released the concert film "Stop Making Sense" in 1984, directed by Jonathan Demme. The film captured the band's live performance vitality and featured additional musicians such as Bernie Worrell and Alex Weir, enriching their stage presence. This concert movie is widely regarded as one of the best live performance films, further enhancing the band's reputation and legacy by documenting their innovative showmanship and solidifying their influence in music and popular culture.
1985-1988

Later albums and evolving worldbeat influences

The band released the albums "Little Creatures" in 1985 and the soundtrack for David Byrne's film "True Stories" in 1986, followed by their final album "Naked" in 1988. During this phase, Talking Heads incorporated more worldbeat influences and collaborated with various musicians. "Little Creatures" became their best-selling album, blending accessible pop with diverse sonic textures. "Naked" continued their experimentation with world music elements before the group ultimately disbanded in 1991.
1991

Disbandment of Talking Heads

After more than 15 years of influential activity, Talking Heads officially disbanded in 1991. Following the breakup, the other band members formed a group called Shrunken Heads and released an album titled "No Talking, Just Head" under the name The Heads, collaborating with various vocalists to replace David Byrne. The disbandment marked the end of an era but left a lasting impact on new wave, alternative rock, and art rock genres.
2002

Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Talking Heads were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002, recognizing their significant contributions to music and culture. Their innovative blending of punk, new wave, funk, and world music influences garnered critical acclaim and inspired numerous artists. Their albums appeared on Rolling Stone's list of the '500 Greatest Albums of All Time', and their songs were acknowledged among the '500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll,' highlighting their enduring influence on rock history.

Albums

talking-heads_1st_album
Talking Heads: 77
11 tracks
1977
talking-heads_2nd_album
More Songs About Buildings and Food
11 tracks
1978
talking-heads_3rd_album
Fear of Music
11 tracks
1979
talking-heads_4th_album
Remain in Light
8 tracks
1980
talking-heads_5th_album
Speaking in Tongues
9 tracks
1983
talking-heads_6th_album
Little Creatures
9 tracks
1985
talking-heads_7th_album
True Stories
10 tracks
1986
talking-heads_8th_album
Naked
11 tracks
1988
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Members

Current

Name
Begin
Occupation

Jerry Harrison

N/A

Chris Frantz

N/A

Tina Weymouth

N/A

David Byrne

N/A

Story of Talking Heads

Talking Heads: A New Wave Revolution

Talking Heads, an American rock band formed in New York City in 1975, were true innovators of the new wave sound. The band, comprised of David Byrne (lead vocals, guitar), Chris Frantz (drums), Tina Weymouth (bass), and Jerry Harrison (keyboards, guitar), became one of the most critically acclaimed groups of the 1980s. Their unique blend of punk, art rock, funk, and world music, coupled with their sharp, almost anxious image, set them apart from the pack.

Byrne, Frantz, and Weymouth met as freshmen at the Rhode Island School of Design, where Byrne and Frantz were already playing together in a band called the Artistics. The trio relocated to New York in 1975, adopted the name Talking Heads, and quickly became a fixture in the city’s burgeoning punk scene. They recruited Harrison to complete their lineup.

Their debut album, Talking Heads: 77, released in 1977, received positive reviews. Their collaboration with British producer Brian Eno on the albums More Songs About Buildings and Food (1978), Fear of Music (1979), and Remain in Light (1980), proved to be a turning point. These albums showcased their artistic sensibility, infused with influences from artists like Parliament-Funkadelic and Fela Kuti.

As the 1980s progressed, Talking Heads expanded their sound, adding additional musicians to their live performances and recordings. Notable collaborators included guitarist Adrian Belew, keyboardist Bernie Worrell, singer Nona Hendryx, and bassist Busta Jones.

Talking Heads achieved their commercial peak in 1983 with the US Top 10 hit “Burning Down the House,” from their album Speaking in Tongues. The following year, they released the iconic concert film Stop Making Sense, directed by Jonathan Demme. This film captured their energetic performances, featuring Worrell, guitarist Alex Weir, percussionist Steve Scales, and singers Lynn Mabry and Ednah Holt.

Talking Heads left an undeniable mark on music history. Their innovative blend of genres and their unique artistic vision helped define the new wave era, solidifying their place as one of the most influential and beloved rock bands of all time.

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