The Late Show with Stephen Colbert recently welcomed some incredible guests to celebrate the 40th anniversary of one of the greatest concert films of all time. Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Talking Heads took the stage to reminisce about their early years and share some fascinating stories.
The band members, David Byrne, Jerry Harrison, Chris France, and Tina Weymouth, joined Stephen Colbert on the show and instantly captivated the audience. Stephen wasted no time in asking the burning question โ what was it like to hit the scene as a band in 1977, a year packed with legendary acts like The Clash, Elvis Costello, Sex Pistols, and more?
David Byrne, the lead vocalist of Talking Heads, shared that initially, they didn’t expect much. They were excited about the critical reception of their first album but were still playing to relatively small audiences. They traveled in a station wagon, playing at empty shopping malls and pizza parlors. They even had an unforgettable show at a beef steak joint in Yonkers, where they accidentally dressed like the waiters.
Interestingly, Talking Heads came together when the members were all students at Rhode Island School of Design. Byrne had the idea of forming a band to entertain their friends, and they started as a cover band. They played an eclectic mix of songs, including the likes of Smokey Robinson and The Miracles, The Who, The Velvet Underground, and Paul Revere and The Raiders. Unfortunately, there aren’t any official recordings of their cover performances, but rumor has it that someone might have a hidden gem.
Jerry Harrison, who joined Talking Heads in 1977 after the modern lovers broke up, shared about his transition from architecture school to being part of the band. He had to convince the band to let him finish the semester before fully joining. Meanwhile, Tina Weymouth, the bass player, revealed that she initially wasn’t part of the band but admired their creativity and chemistry. She felt a special connection and decided to become a member, despite it not being the most logical choice.
While Talking Heads’ unique sound gained them the reputation of being art rockers, they weren’t particularly thrilled about the label. David Byrne explained that it made them seem snobby and insincere about their music. Similarly, they were often associated with the punk rock genre, but they didn’t quite fit into that category either.
Talking about their early beginnings at the iconic CBGBs, Chris France mentioned their fortunate encounter with a painter named Jamie Dlish. He informed Chris about a bar across the street, where something interesting was happening. That bar turned out to be CBGBs, and it soon became their unofficial incubator. Chris vividly remembers the night when he first went to CBGBs and discovered The Ramones, who left a lasting impression on the band.
The conversation took an interesting turn when Tina Weymouth mentioned being the only girl on tour with a group of guys. She recalled the fun times and unique experiences, from traveling to museums, interacting with other bands like Dire Straits and XTC, to witnessing passionate European teenage fans moshing so enthusiastically that they broke through the floor of a converted church venue.
Throughout the interview, Talking Heads exuded a sense of passion and fondness for their early days as a band. Their excitement and authentic love for their craft were evident in every story they shared. It’s no wonder Talking Heads became one of the most influential bands of their time, leaving an indelible mark on the music industry.
As the interview concluded, making fans nostalgic for the band’s groundbreaking music and infectious energy, viewers couldn’t help but feel honored to witness the candid conversations and celebration of Talking Heads’ remarkable journey. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert delivered yet another memorable episode, ensuring that the legend of Talking Heads lives on.
Tune in to The Late Show with Stephen Colbert to catch more incredible guests and captivating moments like this.
