Talking Heads- Stop makin sense

JH6056 said:

I saw this on the big screen when it came out too, and have another absolute life-long favorite memory related to it.

I saw it, was blown away, then a week later went to NYC to see New Order at the Felt Forum (in same building as Madison Sq. Garden). This was either '84 or '85 and I was still a teenager.

Some months before I'd been out at Jones Beach for a UB-40 show and watched them film a video with Chrissie Hynde for "Black Coffee in Bed". I remembered a guy onstage who seemed to be running the shoot, although I didn't know hardly anything at all about the process of making a film or video, so I just noticed the guy who seemed to be telling everyone what to do.

Ok, back to New Order, so after the show a friend took me backstage. I was a huge New Order fan so it was a big deal, but somewhere in the excitement I saw this guy who looked really familiar, and finally placed him at that UB-40/Chrissie Hynde shoot. I went over to him and his date and said "Hi, were you by any chance working at this shoot a few months ago..." The guy was very nice and said "Yes, that was me..." We started talking and I asked "So, what other bands do you work with?" He named a few, then said "...and I just directed a movie with the Talking Heads, it just came out, called "Stop Making Sense"" I stopped dead in my tracks. "Wait, what??? You made that movie? Does that mean the opening sequence with the singer's feet was your idea?" He laughed and said "Yes, it was."

I seriously then went through practically the whole movie in my mind, asking about scene after scene, and he thought it was hysterical and just kept saying "Yes" or "that was a joint idea". I was so excited I forgot I was backstage with New Order for awhile and just talked to Jonathan Demme and his date.

Soon they were leaving, and they came over to me. Demme said "So, we have to go, but I also directed this movie with Laurie Anderson called "Home of the Brave" and we're going to a premier of it, would you like to come with us?"

This is probably one of my biggest regrets ever, because I almost went, but then I remembered "Um, I'm hanging out with New Order, I CAN'T leave!" so I said no. I did end up talking to Bernard Sumner in a club for about an hour, so at the time I felt I made the right decision, but I always regretted that later!

Fast forward some 20+ years, I was at SXSW trying to see a band called Dr. Dog, but ended up seeing the end of a band called Flight of the Conchords (love them ever since). Then another band was setting up and I see this familiar looking guy. He looks so familiar, I go over to him and the young boy he's with and start asking questions: "Are you from California?" Smiles "no"... "Are you from New York?" "Yes..." Takes me AGES and finally I figure it out "You're Jonathan Demme!!" and I proceed to tell him the whole New Order story, which amuses him a lot. We have a nice talk, he tells me he's there because he made a movie about Neil Young that's showing, I meet his son, then I take off to walk through the crowd at this cool art gallery/outdoor venue, when I feel someone pat my back. Turn around, it's a familiar face I haven't seen in many years: Pearl Jam's first main tour manager, Eric. I didn't know him well, but met him enough times that he tapped me. It was great to see him, we talk for a moment, then I ask him what brings him to SXSW. He doesn't say anything but just moves his eyes sideways, and I realize he's standing (and now I'm standing) RIGHT next to Neil Young. Eric works for him. I'm like "Ooooohhh..." and smile, and we wrap up and I walk away.

Ran into Jonathan Demme several more times that festival, to the point where outside a favorite Mexican Restaurant (RIP Las Manitas), he walks up and we don't even talk, we just hug.

Top guy, that Jonathan Demme, incredibly talented (though I still can't watch Silence of the Lambs!). And Eric, was great to see him then, I imagine he still works for Neil Young...

Thanks for bringing up this movie, took me waaaaaay back, and I definitely need to see it again!

JH6056 said:

Wow, I want to hear that! He obviously knew Demme well because of Philadelphia...

And brianlux you are too kind, but "knew" is probably too strong a word. I was lucky to have several run ins with him, but I didn't really know him, just lucky to have crossed paths with him in a few great ways. Still devastated though...

eeriepadave said:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rjMwSTeVeo

g under p said:

reesdog said:

Ordered the Blu-ray Disc from overseas of Stop Making Sense and it wasn't easy to track it down online at a reasonable price, some are going for around US$45 with added postage! Managed to find one from Sweden for US$16 brand new.

Watched it last night on a big tv with decent two-channel speakers and fuck me it was good! I love Talking Heads and watching that concert film wanted me to somehow time travel back to the mid-eighties to see them live.... sigh!! I was nine when it came out in 1984..

Stop Making Sense I one of the best concert movies ever recorded. I have it on DVD and CD.

 I waited on David Byrne in 1984 after he had just played the Hampton Coliseum on their Speaking In Tongues Tour 1984. He came into Denny's around 2:30am to my table with 3 women. I went to the show which played to only half of the 14k Coliseum.  I'd never seen that b4 out couple hundred concerts there. He asked me how was our salads? I hesitated and said, same as it ever was while doing a chopping motion on my arm. The women started to crack up and he chuckled. I told him I loved the show then he questioned if I was there then I opened my uniform showing my yellow sleeveless tour tshirt. He approved and ordered a ceaser salad and red wine. Then later autographed the check. One could tell appeared to be very bright without being obvious about it. One of my best star early morning meetings of several.

✌️

josevolution said:

brianlux said:

eeriepadave said:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rjMwSTeVeo

Yes!

g under p said:

reesdog said:

Ordered the Blu-ray Disc from overseas of Stop Making Sense and it wasn't easy to track it down online at a reasonable price, some are going for around US$45 with added postage! Managed to find one from Sweden for US$16 brand new.

Watched it last night on a big tv with decent two-channel speakers and fuck me it was good! I love Talking Heads and watching that concert film wanted me to somehow time travel back to the mid-eighties to see them live.... sigh!! I was nine when it came out in 1984..

Stop Making Sense I one of the best concert movies ever recorded. I have it on DVD and CD.

 I waited on David Byrne in 1984 after he had just played the Hampton Coliseum on their Speaking In Tongues Tour 1984. He came into Denny's around 2:30am to my table with 3 women. I went to the show which played to only half of the 14k Coliseum.  I'd never seen that b4 out couple hundred concerts there. He asked me how was our salads? I hesitated and said, same as it ever was while doing a chopping motion on my arm. The women started to crack up and he chuckled. I told him I loved the show then he questioned if I was there then I opened my uniform showing my yellow sleeveless tour tshirt. He approved and ordered a ceaser salad and red wine. Then later autographed the check. One could tell appeared to be very bright without being obvious about it. One of my best star early morning meetings of several.

✌️

Great story!

And what a great band.  I saw them at the San Francisco Civic in '82 (Tom Tom Club and Black Uhuru as well!) and the energy level, professionalism, and great vibe of that band made for a knock out show!

And I just read last night that they are getting back together for the first time in 21 years!

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/talking-heads-appear-together-first-time-21-years-1234807644/

Yeah only to talk about SMS! He has stated a reunion will never happen.