Photos by Andy Argyrakis

Despite being broken up since 1991, outside of a single Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction reunion in 2002, Talking Heads are back in the cultural conversation, thanks in part to the 40th anniversary of the iconic concert film “Stop Making Sense.”

It was actually a significant enough occasion to get former front man David Byrne, guitarist/keyboardist Jerry Harrison, bassist Tina Weymouth and drummer Chris Frantz together, albeit very briefly on the interview circuit, yet Billboard reported they turned down a $80 million offer to tour.

However, at least Harrison remains committed to flying the group’s flag, not only with his “Return To Light” collaboration alongside Adrian Belew (King Crimson), but by screening the aforementioned Jonathan Demme-directed movie and taking audience questions.

The landmark Genesee Theatre in Waukegan, not too far from the headliner’s Milwaukee home, was the latest local spot to host the latter, which coincidentally enough fell on Byrne’s night off of playing a solo stretch at Chicago’s Auditorium Theatre, though he unfortunately didn’t attend.

Nonetheless, Harrison appeared as solely advertised to introduce “Stop Making Sense,” then left the dedicated crowd to admire the 4K restoration of when Talking Heads were at the pinnacle of creative and performance powers, immediately evidenced by the avant-garde “Psycho Killer” as the stage was being built.

Whether it was new wave, post punk, funk, art pop or worldbeats, the core four and their phenomenal accompanists, including Parliament-Funkadelic’s Bernie Worrell, turned in theatrical, cheekily choreographed renditions of “Slippery People, “Burning Down The House,” “Life During Wartime,” “This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)” and “Once In A Lifetime,” amongst a few rarities and related material, such as Tom Tom Club’s “Genius Of Love.”

Following a riveting finale of “Crosseyed And Painless,” Harrison explained the film’s meticulous recovery process and analog to digital sound details, prior to opening the floor up to attendees, resulting in musings on his earlier act, The Modern Lovers, being a proto-punk precursor to Talking Heads, plus getting started at New York’s CBGB in a fertile alternative scene also featuring The Ramones and Blondie.

Although Harrison was always confident in the band’s artistic abilities, he reveled the commercial success was quite a surprise to everyone involved, and throughout it all, appreciated how friendly their fans remained.

Inevitably, the topic turned to reformation rumors, especially in honor of Talking Heads’ 50th birthday, and while personally “all for it,” the others would need to equally be on board, nonetheless suggesting the Sphere in Las Vegas would be an ideal venue to continue cutting edge visual ideas on a much grander scale.

The line eventually got a “last call” with Harrison warmly obliging as many inquiries as he could, and in the process, the Genesee likely came to the conclusion that even if Talking Heads is no more, the influential body of work members left behind will never “Stop Making Sense.”

For additional information on Jerry Harrison, visit Jerry-Harrison.com.

Upcoming shows at the Genesee Theatre include Tower Of Power and War (Nov. 1); Tusk: The Classic Fleetwood Mac Tribute (Nov. 6); Ben Folds (Nov. 8); Anthony Rodia (Nov. 13); “Swan Lake” (Nov. 14); Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox (Nov. 20); Needtobreathe (Nov. 21); Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue (Nov. 22); The Rush Tribute Project (Nov. 23); Peabo Bryson, Ruben Studdard, Sheena Easton and Ilya Serov (Dec. 5); David Foster & Katharine McPhee (Dec. 6); Rain: A Beatles Christmas Tribute (Dec. 7); Dave Koz & Friends (Dec. 10); Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (Dec. 11); Matteo Bocelli (Dec. 12); Lady A (Dec. 13); “The Magic Of The Nutcracker” (Dec. 18-19); Lindsey Stirling (Dec. 20); BoDeans (Dec. 26) and Michael Carbonaro (Dec. 27). For additional details, visit GeneseeTheatre.com.

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