This eclectic, sometimes eccentric, and highly acclaimed rock band was formed in early '70s when David Byrne (b. 14 May 1952; vocal/guitar), Chris Frantz (b. 8 May 1951; drums) and Tina Weymouth (b. 22 November 1950; bass) met at the Rhode Island School of Design. Initially playing art rock under the name of the Artistics, the three left the school and moved to New York in 1974 where they were joined by Jerry Harrison (b. 21 February, 1949; keyboard/guitar). The band, now called Talking Heads, signed with Sire Records in 1977 and went into the studio to record their debut 'Talking Heads '77'. The album became a smash and was followed by the success of the sophomore set 'More Songs About Buildings And Food'. The latter was produced by Brian Eno, with whom David Byrne partnered on his several projects thereafter, including 'My Life In The Bush Of Ghosts'. Featuring a superb combination of Byrne's eccentric vocal phrasing and original rhythm section of Weymouth and Frantz, the album set the band from other N.Y.-based post-punk rock acts. Highlights of the album include a cover of Al Grreen's 'Take Me To The River', which became their first U.S. Top 30 hit.

Then came the band's watershed album 'Remain In Light' in 1980. The band introduced African rhythms and created several exceptional original songs including 'Once In A Lifetime'. During the early '80s, the band members were into their side projects. Byrne pursued ballet on 'The Catherine Wheel', while Frantz and Weymouth had a chart success with their spin-off project, Tom Tom Club. After the release of double live album 'The Name Of This Band Is Talking Heads' in 1982, the band regrouped and recorded their fourth studio album 'Speaking In Tongues' in 1983. With their first U.S. Top 10 single Down The House', the album was supported by an extensive U.S. tour, which was filmed by director Jonathan Demme and released as rockumentary 'Stop Making Sense' in 1984

'Little Creatures', released in 1985, confirmed the band's unique position in mainstream rock as the album included such radio-friendly hits as 'And She Was' and 'Road To Nowhere'. By 1986, Byrne shifted his interest more to movies as he made a directorial debut with comedy 'True Stories', accompanied by the soundtrack of the same name, which was released as Talking Heads' 9th album. They remained inactive for over a year, but in 1988 they flew to Paris and recorded 'Naked', with Steve Lillywhite (U2, Simple Minds) as producer. In late '80s, the four members each ventured into their new projects amid speculation that the group would break up.

1991 saw the release of the band's two-disc retrospective 'Sand In The Vaseline', which was expected to be Talking Heads' big comeback, but in the same year the band officially announced its breakup. Byrne went on to pursue his solo career, ranging from film music to ambient music, while the remaining members reunited under the name of the Heads in 1996. The original Talking Heads again cemented the relationship with the induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2002, and their three-disc career-spanning box set 'Once In A Lifetime' released in the fall of 2003.