‘We shall return’ says iconic 80s band as they tease live dates after claims they’d turned down £62m to reunite
A MEMBER of a legendary 80s rock group has teased the band will reunite for a series of shows later this year.
Talking Heads drummer Chris Frantz took to Instagram to state “we shall return”, alongside an image of Hollywood’s Pantages Theatre.
Illuminated on the front of the venue is “Talking Heads Dec 13, 14, 15, 16, 8pm” as well as “Tix at all ticketron outlets”.
The emphatic message got fans excited, though some felt it was a little too good to be true.
One wrote: “What do you mean by this Chris…”
Another said: “don’t play with my emotions.”
A third posted: “Chris, you’re teasing us! We are extremely hopeful you’ll be back on the road for one last tour. . .”
It would be a homecoming of sorts if the Heads were to grace the Pantages stage as it played an important part in the band’s story.
The group recorded its concert film, Stop Making Sense, there in December 1983. The production is widely considered one of the best live films of all time.
Focused on the band’s magnetic on-stage presence, it features tracks such as Psycho Killer, What a Day That Was, This Must Be the Place, and Once in a Lifetime.
Back in January it was reported that the band turned down tens of millions of dollars to reunite after being approached to perform at six to eight festivals, including headlining slots.
Despite receiving an alleged £62m offer, Billboard claimed the group’s four members – David Byrne, Jerry Harrison, Frantz and Tina Weymouth – walked away.
The music publication stated that global producers Live Nation made the bid but there was no solid explanation as to why the band turned it down.
Billboard also claimed Talking Heads said ”no” to another offer made by Coachella co-founder Paul Tollett.
Tollett apparently travelled to the Toronto International Film Festival last September in an effort to convince them to reunite at the California-based event.
A 40th anniversary celebration of Stop Making Sense was being marked in Toronto at the time and he made a beeline for the group.
But Tollett told Billboard that, despite meeting with David, Jerry, Chris and Tina and their reps, he “sensed there were no shows happening, so I didn’t make an offer”.
Talking Heads formed in New York City in 1975 and became pioneers of New Wave music.
The group were together for 16 years before announcing their split in 1991.
A year later, Chris spoke out about the ‘disbandment’ but pointed at a feud between the members and David.
He told The Los Angeles Times in 1992: “As far as we’re concerned, the band never really broke up. David just decided to leave.
“We were never too pleased about the way David handled the situation.”
Talking Heads rebranded as Shrunken Heads and toured briefly before going their separate ways.
However, last year, the group showed any past disagreements had been put to bed as all four members sat together for the screening of their movie in Toronto.
Chris told film maker Spike Lee: “It’s so good to be here with my bandmates tonight. It’s been a long time.”
Jerry, meanwhile, added: “We get along OK. It’s all very cordial and whatever. It’s not like we’re all best friends. But everybody’s very happy to see this film coming back out.”