David Byrne Shoots Down Rumored Talking Heads Reunion: “I Have Never Heard Of This”

Talking Heads frontman David Byrne shot down reunion rumors this week following the arrival of an “official” (though unverified) Talking Heads Instagram account. The recently launched account has already grown to over 18,000 followers this week.

“I have never heard of this, I don’t know what it is or who is doing it, so clearly it can’t be a ‘official’ Talking Heads account,” Byrne said in a statement to Rolling Stone about the account. “Whatever plans others in the band may have is strictly their own business. I wish them well.”

Founding Talking members Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz also threw water on the proverbial reunion fire. “We were made aware of the Instagram account a few days ago as it was brought to life by someone who works with [Talking Heads keyboardist-guitarist] Jerry [Harrison],” they told Rolling Stone. “We are all currently happily working on our own projects and there are no plans for a Talking Heads reunion.”

Variety reports that the account was created by Harrison’s manager ahead of the 40th anniversary of the new wave band’s 1980 Remain in Light album.

This is not the first time members of the group have had to comment on a potential reunion. Byrne told Rolling Stone in 2018 that he is not interested in a nostalgia exercise. “I see what happens with other people when they do their reunions—and then it turns to a second reunion and a third reunion…It just seems like you don’t have anything new to say.”

While the launch of an Instagram account isn’t exactly the strongest lead, it wouldn’t have been the first time in recent memory that a group teased their reunion in this manner. In October, social media erupted when an Oysterhead Instagram account silently appeared on the platform. The following day, the long-dormant Trey Anastasio/Les Claypool/Stewart Copeland supergroup announced their first live shows in more than a decade.

Perhaps nobody is more disappointed in this news than Anastasio, who called for a Talking Heads reunion back in October during his solo acoustic show in Canton, OH’s Palace Theatre. “I would like, please, for Christmas, the original four-piece Talking Heads to get back together at least for one show.” His comical banter continued, “I was lucky enough to see that band one time—incredible. One of the greatest bands of all time.”

For now, we’re still waiting for a follow-up to the band’s last live performance at their own induction ceremony to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002.