Stairway to 11
FanSided

Talking Heads: Rejecting reunion - iconic band turned down $80 million!

Even fans of the band applaud the decision of the Talking Heads to turn down a reunion. Still, $80 mil is a lot of money to walk away from.

ByWade Wainio|
BAM and A24 Host Stop Making Sense Q & A with David Byrne, Tina Weymouth, Chris Frantz, And Jerry
BAM and A24 Host Stop Making Sense Q & A with David Byrne, Tina Weymouth, Chris Frantz, And Jerry | Slaven Vlasic/GettyImages

It's been reported that Talking Heads turned down a substantial offer to reunite for their milestone anniversary. The iconic rock group, comprising David Byrne, Jerry Harrison, Chris Frantz, and Tina Weymouth, formed in 1975 and released their debut album shortly thereafter. They have been accurately described by AllMusic as "one of the most critically acclaimed bands of the '80s," yet they did not last forever. Following their split in 1991, members Jerry, Chris, and Tina went on to perform as Shrunken Heads, and David Byrne enjoyed a successful solo career.

Although they briefly reunited to commemorate the 40th anniversary of their renowned Stop Making Sense concert film, a recent report suggests they declined a lucrative offer for a full reunion. Live Nation allegedly proposed $80 million for 'six-to-eight festival gigs and headlining slots,' which David, Jerry, Chris, and Tina reportedly turned down, including a potential appearance at Coachella. Goldenvoice president Paul Tollett, co-founder of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, told Billboard he "sensed there were no shows happening, so I didn’t make an offer." While the hypothetical exact offer amount remains undisclosed, insiders suggest it could have been as high as $10 million per show.

Fans expressed their support for the band's decision, with many hoping they never reunite. For example, someone on Reddit posted: "I love this band so much; I truly hope this never happens..."
It might seem odd for fans to applaud a band's lack of reunion, but it does happen, and it's not particularly unusual. After all, if you're aware of a band's breakup being messy, maybe you assume nothing (not even massive mountains of cash) could be worth revisiting that turmoil. Also, what if the band simply doesn't sound as good as they used to?

When bands do reunite under less-than-ideal circumstances

In a slight contrast to this decision by Talking Heads, some bands do descide to reunite, even if the decision might be seen by some as controversial. For example, Static-X did an anniversary tribute tour some time after the death of their lead vocalist Wayne Static. Then there's Jello Biafra, formerly of Dead Kennedys, who has quite regularly criticized his ex-bandmates for their regular reunion touring (and even those who aren't against those DK tours might wonder how come they haven't written any new material).

Despite the absence of a Talking Heads reunion, fans can celebrate the band's enduring success, as Stop Making Sense returns to theaters, showcasing their legendary 1983 tour. David Byrne previously emphasized the band's unity in re-releasing the film, emphasizing their shared belief in its significance. In other words, you can enjoy any resurgences of Stop Making Sense in a guilt-free way. As of this article's publication date, Stop Making Sense is currently screening in select cinemas across the US, UK, and Canada, accompanied by a special collection of merchandise from A24.

Home/News