Talking Heads finally made their long-awaited appearance on ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’ last Wednesday night, after their original date was postponed due to Colbert's COVID-19 diagnosis.
The four original members -- David Byrne, Jerry Harrison, Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz -- joined Colbert via video call and chatted for over 25 minutes, covering topics ranging from their humble beginnings as a cover band to their groundbreaking album and concert film ‘Stop Making Sense.’
Colbert, a self-proclaimed fan of the band, asked them about some of their memorable gigs, such as the time they played at a pizza parlor in Pittsburgh where a fire-eater was their opening act. The band recalled how the fire-eater got drunk and almost set the place on fire, but they managed to finish their show without any mishaps.
They also shared their impressions of the legendary punk club CBGB in New York, where they first saw the Ramones perform and decided to join the scene. They described the club as a "dump" but also a "magical place" where they met many influential artists and musicians.
In the final segment of the interview, Colbert brought up the question that many fans have been wondering for years: would Talking Heads ever reunite and play together again? He even offered them the opportunity to perform on his show, saying that the stage was ready for them. However, the band politely declined, with Weymouth saying, "You'll still be waiting." The audience groaned in disappointment, but Colbert respected their decision and thanked them for their music.
The last question that Colbert asked Byrne was about the meaning of the title of their acclaimed album and film Stop Making Sense. Byrne explained that it was a reminder to himself to not be too rational all the time and to trust his instincts and feelings more. He said that sometimes it was better to "see what happens" rather than overthink things.
The interview ended with a round of applause from the audience and a group hug from the band members. It was a rare and special occasion to see Talking Heads together again, even if it was only on screen. Fans can only hope that they will someday make sense of their differences and reunite for real.
[Source: Classic Hits Today]