Tina Weymouth of Talking Heads Asserts ‘David Didn’t Start the Band Alone’ During Tense Brooklyn Reunion Moment
Brooklyn, NY – A long-awaited Talking Heads reunion took an unexpected turn when bassist Tina Weymouth firmly asserted that frontman David Byrne was not the sole founder of the band. The moment, which occurred during a panel discussion at a Brooklyn event, underscored long-standing tensions within the legendary rock group.
The event, meant to celebrate the band’s legacy and influence, brought together Weymouth, drummer Chris Frantz, guitarist Jerry Harrison, and Byrne on stage for a rare public appearance. However, as the conversation turned to the band’s early days, Weymouth made a pointed correction when Byrne was credited as the singular force behind Talking Heads’ formation.
“The band wasn’t started by David alone,” Weymouth interjected, her tone firm but controlled. “We built this together.”
Her remark was met with a brief, awkward silence before Frantz nodded in agreement, adding that Talking Heads’ origins were deeply collaborative. Byrne, known for his reserved demeanor in group settings, did not immediately respond but later acknowledged the collective contributions of his bandmates, stating, “Of course, we all played a part in what made Talking Heads what it became.”
The exchange reignited discussions about the complex history of the band, which disbanded in 1991 amid creative and personal differences. Weymouth and Frantz, who are married, have been vocal in the past about their sometimes strained relationship with Byrne, while Harrison has often played the role of mediator.
Despite the tension, the panel continued without further incident, focusing on the band’s groundbreaking work in the late 1970s and 1980s. Fans in attendance were thrilled to see the group together again, though the brief but pointed moment served as a reminder of the lingering fractures within Talking Heads’ history.
The event concluded with a standing ovation, but for many in the audience, Weymouth’s words lingered—a testament to the often-overlooked contributions of every member of one of rock’s most innovative bands.