David Byrne
Born 1952 · Age 73
Scottish-born American musician, songwriter, visual artist, filmmaker; founding member and frontman of Talking Heads; prolific solo artist and collaborator across music, theatre and film.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Dumbarton, Scotland
David Byrne born to Tom and Emma Byrne in Dumbarton, Dunbartonshire, Scotland.
Family emigrates to Canada (Hamilton, Ontario)
Two years after his birth Byrne's family moved from Scotland to Canada, settling in Hamilton, Ontario.
Learned harmonica
Byrne learned to play harmonica at age five, according to his parents' accounts of his early interest in music.
Family moves to Arbutus, Maryland (United States)
Byrne moved with his family to Arbutus, Maryland; his father worked as an electronics engineer at Westinghouse.
Father modifies reel-to-reel for multitrack recordings
Byrne's father used his engineering skills to modify a tape recorder so Byrne could make multitrack recordings in childhood.
Attended Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)
Byrne attended RISD for the 1970–71 term where he met Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth.
Graduated Lansdowne High School (approx.)
Byrne graduated from Lansdowne High School in southwest Baltimore County, Maryland (approximate year based on subsequent college enrollment).
Attended Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA)
Byrne attended MICA for the 1971–72 term before dropping out.
Performed in duo Bizadi
Between 1971 and 1972 Byrne was one half of a duo called Bizadi with Marc Kehoe performing covers and standards.
Formed the Artistics in Providence
Byrne returned to Providence and formed the band the Artistics with Chris Frantz while at or just after RISD.
Moved to New York City
Byrne moved to New York City in May 1974 to pursue music and art.
Talking Heads begin practicing
By January 1975 David Byrne, Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth were practicing as Talking Heads while still doing day jobs.
Talking Heads first live gig
Talking Heads played their first gig in June 1975.
Byrne quits day job
In May 1976 Byrne quit his day job to focus full-time on music.
Talking Heads sign with Sire Records
The three-piece Talking Heads signed to Sire Records in November 1976.
Jerry Harrison joins Talking Heads
Multi-instrumentalist Jerry Harrison (ex–The Modern Lovers) joined Talking Heads, completing the classic four-piece lineup.
Release: Talking Heads: 77
Talking Heads released their debut album Talking Heads: 77.
Release: More Songs About Buildings and Food
Talking Heads released their second studio album.
Release: Fear of Music; early Eno collaboration period
Talking Heads' Fear of Music was released; Byrne began collaborations with Brian Eno around this period.
Release: Remain in Light (major breakthrough)
Talking Heads released Remain in Light, featuring 'Once in a Lifetime' and strong African-rhythm influences; critical breakthrough.
Performed on Saturday Night Live with Talking Heads
Byrne (with Talking Heads) first appeared as musical guest on SNL in 1979; he also later appeared as a solo musical guest in 1989. (Noted: 1979 initial appearance.)
Collaboration release: My Life in the Bush of Ghosts (with Brian Eno)
Byrne and Brian Eno released My Life in the Bush of Ghosts, notable for early use of sampling and found sounds.
Score: The Catherine Wheel (Twyla Tharp)
Byrne wrote music for Twyla Tharp's ballet The Catherine Wheel; productions appeared on Broadway the same year.
Release: Speaking in Tongues
Talking Heads released Speaking in Tongues, featuring 'Burning Down the House'.
Release & role: Stop Making Sense (concert film)
Stop Making Sense concert film was released; Byrne was chiefly responsible for stage design and choreography.
Release: Music for 'The Knee Plays' (Robert Wilson)
Byrne wrote the score (influenced by Dirty Dozen Brass Band) for Robert Wilson's opera The Civil Wars: 'The Knee Plays'.
Time magazine cover: 'Rock's Renaissance Man'
Byrne was the subject of a Time magazine cover story in 1986 highlighting his multi-disciplinary career.
Film: True Stories — writer/director/star
Byrne wrote, directed, and starred in the feature film True Stories and produced most of its music.
Married Adelle Lutz
Byrne married costume designer Adelle Lutz (they met in Japan in 1982); they later had a daughter in 1989 and divorced in 2004.
Contributed to The Last Emperor score
Byrne collaborated with Ryuichi Sakamoto and Cong Su on the score for Bernardo Bertolucci's The Last Emperor (1987).
Academy Award for The Last Emperor score
The Last Emperor won the Academy Award for Best Original Score (Byrne contributed), an early major film award connection for Byrne.
Release: Naked (Talking Heads) and band hiatus
Talking Heads released Naked (1988); around this time the band quietly went on hiatus as members pursued solo projects.
Recognition: Golden Globe and Grammy (associated with The Last Emperor)
Byrne's contributions to The Last Emperor were part of a multi-award-winning score; the text notes Byrne has a Golden Globe and Grammy among other awards (year associated with the film awards circa 1988).
Daughter Malu Abeni Valentine Byrne born
Byrne and Adelle Lutz had their daughter Malu in 1989.
Solo album release: Rei Momo
Byrne released Rei Momo, his first major solo album after Talking Heads, featuring Afro-Cuban and Latin styles.
Founded record label Luaka Bop (with Yale Evelev)
Byrne co-founded Luaka Bop to introduce world music to American audiences; label later expanded beyond Latin compilations.
Release: The Forest soundtrack (later compiled 1991)
Music from Byrne's orchestral album The Forest was used in Robert Wilson's theatre piece; the soundtrack album was released in 1991.
Talking Heads officially split; reunited for single 'Sax and Violins'
Talking Heads reunited in 1991 to record the single 'Sax and Violins' and formally split in December 1991.
Solo album release: Uh-Oh
Byrne released Uh-Oh (1992), featuring brass sections and tracks like 'Girls on My Mind'.
Concert with Richard Thompson recorded (An Acoustic Evening)
Byrne performed with Richard Thompson at St. Ann & The Holy Trinity in Brooklyn; the concert was recorded and released.
Solo album release: David Byrne (self-titled)
Byrne released the album David Byrne (1994), with singles including 'Angels' which reached No. 24 on US Modern Rock Tracks.
Collaboration with Selena — 'God's Child (Baila Conmigo)'
Byrne wrote/produced and sang a bilingual duet with Selena in March 1995; it was the last song Selena recorded before her death on March 31, 1995.
Solo album release: Feelings; hosted 'Sessions at West 54th'
Byrne released Feelings (1997) and served as host of the television program Sessions at West 54th during its second season.
Soundscape: In Spite of Wishing and Wanting
Byrne produced the soundscape In Spite of Wishing and Wanting for Wim Vandekeybus's Ultima Vez dance company.
Joined board of SoundExchange (role ongoing)
Byrne serves on the board of directors of SoundExchange, the congressionally-designated digital performance royalty organization.
Solo album release: Look into the Eyeball; 'Like Humans Do' chosen by Microsoft
Byrne released Look into the Eyeball (2001). In 2001 an edited version of Byrne's 'Like Humans Do' was selected by Microsoft as sample music for Windows XP.
Talking Heads inducted into Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Talking Heads were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2002; the band reunited at the ceremony to play four tracks.
Collaborative single 'Lazy' with X-Press 2 peaks in charts
Byrne co-wrote and provided vocals for 'Lazy' by X-Press 2; the single reached No. 2 in the UK and No. 1 on the US Dance Chart.
Multiple Talking Heads albums certified gold and double-platinum
During their career Talking Heads had four albums certified gold (>500,000 sales) and two certified double-platinum (>2,000,000 sales) in the U.S.
TV guest: Voiced himself on The Simpsons
Byrne guest-starred as himself on The Simpsons in 2003 (and again in 2012).
Divorced Adelle Lutz
Byrne and Adelle Lutz divorced in 2004.
Solo album release: Grown Backwards; tour with Tosca Strings
Byrne released Grown Backwards (2004) and toured North America and Australia with the Tosca Strings; tour ended with shows August 2005 in LA, San Diego and New York.
Playing the Building project installed (Stockholm)
Byrne's 'Playing the Building' installation (turning architecture into playable instrument) was installed in Stockholm in 2005 (later NYC 2008, London 2009).
Launched internet radio 'Radio David Byrne'
Byrne initiated his own internet radio station, posting monthly themed playlists.
My Life in the Bush of Ghosts 25th anniversary re-release
The 1981 Byrne/Eno album was re-released for its 25th anniversary with bonus tracks and stems released under Creative Commons for remixing.
Published: Arboretum (sketchbook facsimile)
Byrne released Arboretum, a sketchbook facsimile of his Tree Drawings, published by McSweeney's.
Debuted 'Here Lies Love' excerpt at Carnegie Hall
Some music from Here Lies Love was performed at Carnegie Hall on February 3, 2007 during early development with Fatboy Slim.
Designed bicycle parking racks project
Byrne designed bicycle parking racks in the form of image outlines for neighborhoods (Wall Street dollar sign, guitar for Williamsburg); project installed in 2008.
Installed 'Playing the Building' in New York (Battery Maritime Building)
Byrne and his production team turned the Battery Maritime Building in Manhattan into a playable musical instrument in 2008.
Released album: Everything That Happens Will Happen Today (with Brian Eno); tour late 2008–early 2009
Byrne and Eno released a collaborative album in 2008 and Byrne toured worldwide with a band for six months from late 2008 into early 2009.
Released Big Love: Hymnal (soundtrack) and launched Todo Mundo label
Byrne released Big Love: Hymnal (soundtrack to HBO series season two) as one of the first releases on his independent label Todo Mundo.
Published Bicycle Diaries; auctioned folding bicycle for charity
Byrne published Bicycle Diaries (2009) and auctioned his Montague folding bike in August 2009 to raise funds for the London Cycling Campaign.
Release: Here Lies Love (album with Fatboy Slim)
The disco song cycle Here Lies Love (recorded with Fatboy Slim) was released April 6, 2010; songs later staged as a theatrical production.
Served as TED performer and speaker
Byrne gave a TED Talk in June 2010 and performed at TED2010 with Thomas Dolby and Ethel in October 2010.
TED Talk: 'How architecture helped music evolve'
Byrne spoke at the TED conference in June 2010 about the effects of architecture on music; later performed with Thomas Dolby and Ethel in October 2010.
Released collaborative album: Love This Giant (with St. Vincent)
Byrne released Love This Giant (2012) with St. Vincent and toured North America, Europe and Australia in 2012–2013.
Published How Music Works
Byrne published the book How Music Works in 2012, a nonfiction exploration of music, culture and business.
Naturalized U.S. citizen
Byrne, a long-time resident, became a dual citizen of the United Kingdom and the United States in 2012 to be able to vote.
Public Theater premiere: Here Lies Love (staged production)
Byrne debuted a fully staged production of Here Lies Love at New York's Public Theater in March 2013.
Father Thomas Byrne died
David Byrne's father, Thomas, died in October 2013.
Mother Emma Byrne died
Byrne's mother Emma died in June 2014.
Organized Contemporary Color concerts
Byrne organized Contemporary Color — two arena concerts in Brooklyn and Toronto in 2015 combining musical acts with color guard groups; produced a 2016 documentary.
Co-created NEUROSOCIETY with Mala Gaonkar
Byrne collaborated with businesswoman Mala Gaonkar in 2016 to co-create NEUROSOCIETY, a guided immersive theater performance.
Grandson born
Byrne became a grandfather when his grandson was born in 2018.
American Utopia tour and critical acclaim
The American Utopia tour (2018) showcased Byrne's solo work and Talking Heads highlights; praised as an ambitious show blending theatre and concert.
Announced solo album American Utopia
Byrne announced his first solo album in 14 years, American Utopia, in January 2018; released March 2018 through Todo Mundo and Nonesuch.
Appeared in John Mulaney & the Sack Lunch Bunch
Byrne appeared performing 'Pay Attention!' on the 2019 children's musical comedy special John Mulaney & the Sack Lunch Bunch.
American Utopia opens on Broadway (Hudson Theatre)
David Byrne's American Utopia opened at the Hudson Theatre on Broadway in October 2019.
Special Tony Award (recognition)
Byrne has received a Special Tony Award (text lists this among awards; associated with American Utopia Broadway project around 2019–2020).
Released 'American Utopia' (book) and Spike Lee film adaptation (2020 HBO)
American Utopia project expanded to book and a Spike Lee-directed concert film aired on HBO in 2020 (film adaptation of the stage show).
Acquired Irish citizenship
In 2020 Byrne obtained Irish citizenship in addition to UK and US citizenship.
Performed on Saturday Night Live (return after 30 years)
Byrne appeared as the musical guest on SNL with John Mulaney hosting, performing 'Once in a Lifetime' and 'Toe Jam'; his third SNL appearance.
Co-wrote 'This Is a Life' for Everything Everywhere All at Once soundtrack
Byrne co-wrote and provided vocals on 'This Is a Life' for the 2022 film's original soundtrack alongside Son Lux and Mitski.
Published A History of the World (in Dingbats): Drawings & Words
Byrne released the collection A History of the World (in Dingbats) containing drawings and words in 2022.
Co-created immersive theatre 'Theater of the Mind' (Denver)
Byrne worked with Mala Gaonkar in 2022 on immersive theater production 'Theater of the Mind', transforming a large Denver warehouse for the experience.
Performed 'This Is a Life' at the 95th Academy Awards
Byrne performed the song with Son Lux at the Oscars; Stephanie Hsu sang Mitski's parts on stage.
Here Lies Love opens on Broadway (stage version)
The stage version of Here Lies Love made its Broadway debut on July 20, 2023; controversy over use of pre-recorded tracks led to hiring of live musicians.
Released cover: Paramore's 'Hard Times' (Talking Heads-inspired) for Record Store Day
Byrne released a cover of Paramore's 'Hard Times' as an A-side/B-side 12-inch single for Record Store Day 2024.
Announced new album 'Who Is the Sky?' and released lead single 'Everybody Laughs'
Byrne released lead single 'Everybody Laughs' and announced the album Who Is the Sky? (set for September 2025 on Matador) and a world tour starting September 2025.
Key Achievement Ages
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