David Byrne

by John Howell, David Byrne

By stretching the boundaries of rock and roll, superstar David Byrne continually gives new birth to popular culture. The former lead singer/songwriter for the Talking Heads, Byrne extends his creativity to include film, theater, books, and photography. Searching for ways in which to express the complexities of our modern life, he roams through a variety of mediums and cultures. David Byrne's inspired work is consequently redefining art and entertainment in America.
This cutting-edge biography traces David Byrne's creative life from his early appearances in the mid-seventies playing rock and roll with fellow students from the Rhode Island School of Design, to his latest works currently in progress. In this book, Byrne talks honestly about his time with the Talking Heads and the recording and producing of his eleven albums. He discusses his work scoring films such as Something Wild, Married to the Mob, and his co-scoring of Bertolucci's film The Last Emperor for which he won both an Academy Award and a Grammy. This book covers Byrne's critically acclaimed films Stop Making Sense, True Stories, and Ile Aiye (The House of Life), as well as his collaborations with choreographer Twyla Tharp, performance artist Laurie Anderson, and creative artists as diverse as Brian Eno, Toni Basil, and Robert Wilson.
Through an extensive interview with John Howell, Byrne reveals the personal and professional dimensions of his own creative process. He discusses artistic influences as diverse as Haitian vodun, Brazilian samba, and minimalist music. He shares with the reader his private diary from the successful world tour for his Rei Momo album. And he shows some of his own art photographs which have hung in galleries around the world. This book also provides a complete discography, filmography, and bibliography of Byrne's considerable artistic accomplishments.
Whether from across an ocean or from small-town America, David Byrne has drawn from a variety of sources to redefine music and art. David Byrne offers an insider's look at the creative evolution of this innovative, exciting, and always original American artist.

Genres: Music, Biography

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Monica]

I own this book and have not budged when it comes to reading it. One of the best concerts I remember seeing was a David Byrne show. I was high from it for 24 hours.

[Hannan edde]

David Byrne could write wap but could Cardi B couldn’t make a white square of light feel profound

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

Self indulgent and boring.

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

David Byrne's tour journal makes this worth the time.