FAIRFIELD, Conn. — Hits like “Burning Down the House,” “Psycho Killer” and “Take me to the River” made the drummer of the punk rock band, Talking Heads, a star, but it’s his writing endeavor that brings Chris Frantz to town for a visit on June 18.
If you’re a fan of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, you’ll be able to meet Frantz in person at the book signing event in Old Washington where he will be promoting his memoir, “Remain in Love.”
Maybe it was our love of loud, lively music or just plain rebellion, but at one time or another, most of us wanted to be rock stars. Frantz realized that dream and has captured some of his thrilling moments from over 47 years in the industry within the pages of his highly acclaimed book.
Publishers Weekly gushes that the book is, “Fun, cheerful, and eventful, this memoir has just the right amount of edge,” and The Wall Street Journal calls it, “Electrifying…and possibly the most luxurious rock ‘n’ roll memoir ever written…” Another rave review from O, The Oprah Magazine touts, “While [Remain in Love] does offer a vivid scene in the ’70s and beyond, what sweetens the read is that even after all these years, the torch Frantz carries for his spouse could still burn down the house.”
Becoming famous isn’t easy to do, and Frantz details in the book how after a lot of hard work, offers started rolling in and a year and a half later, Frantz and his bandmates had a record deal. That was in 1975, but the story didn’t start there.
Frantz was born in Ft. Campbell, Kentucky, and graduated from a prep school in suburban Pittsburgh. It was at the Rhode Island School of Design where he met David Byrne and Tina Weymouth. The fellow aesthetes didn’t just strike up friendships, they formed a band called Talking Heads.
Commercial success eluded the band for a while but they captured the hearts of what Frantz affectionately calls the “artistic cache” of New York City. After a couple of shows at CBGB, a journalist saw the band play, giving Talking Heads their first big break.
“We were fortunate enough to be in the right place at the right time,” Frantz said.
Frantz describes that time of his life as, “Terribly exciting…we thought we were doing OK even though we were living in a loft in Lower Manhattan with no heat.”
The band’s popularity gained momentum and soon they were touring Europe and the United Kingdom before hitting the large American venues.
Frantz has fond memories of those tour-filled days and of visiting interesting places and meeting fascinating people.
“It was very rewarding artistically. People remember you — you go down in music history — it’s a good thing.”
Another good thing was his relationship with Weymouth. Along the way, the two fell in love and were married on June 18, 1977 in Old Washington. The couple will be celebrating their 45th wedding anniversary at the time of the book signing event.
Cousins to the Cartmell family, Frantz’s grandparents lived in the Marshall Key House (Harriet Beecher Stowe Slavery to Freedom Museum) and Frantz visited them in the historical home many times as a child, thus cementing his ties to the small Kentucky town near the Ohio River.
When asked what it’s like to work alongside the love of his life for several decades, Frantz said, “We’re very fortunate. We don’t always see eye to eye, but we both have a great deal of patience and respect for each other.”
Frantz went on to say the husband-wife team spurs each other on artistically and when they feel a little burnt-out from the music scene, they like to get away for a while to re-charge their batteries.
Talking Heads disbanded in 1991, after vocalist and guitarist, Byrne, embarked on a solo career. Frantz recounted that time in the band’s history with thoughtful insight.
“Life is full of twists and turns. There are bound to be a few hiccups along the way. A band is similar to a marriage. You have to get along and understand each other.” Frantz points to the band’s breakup being due to Byrne’s insatiable desire to be a solo artist.
But there’s good news on that front. After being estranged from Byrne for a long time, Frantz and Weymouth are now on speaking terms and will be releasing their back catalog in cooperation with Rhino records. The band has a new official website and Instagram account to promote their work as well.
“We won’t reunite or be going on tour, but we’re protecting and promoting our legacy. Talking Heads will no longer be ignored by certain members,” Frantz said.
Having the band unified as the 40-year anniversary of the release of the iconic concert film, “Stop Making Sense,” rolls around in 2024 is an exciting development, but for Frantz and Weymouth, a lot of great things are happening.
Besides their Talking Head fame, Frantz and Weymouth co-founded the new wave band Tom Tom Club in 1981 and they continue to make music under the label to this day. Recently, “Big Energy,” a collaboration between Latto and Mariah Carey produced on Tom Tom Club’s 1981 single, “Genius Of Love,” became a Billboard hit, reaching No. 1 on the U.S. Pop and Rythm/Urban charts simultaneously.
Writing a book about his musical experiences came as naturally to Frantz as playing the drums. His main concern was that his wife would like it—and she did.
Frantz also praised his childhood friend, Ginny B. Butler, as the smartest girl he knew growing up. Butler has been instrumental in arranging the Old Washington Arts of All Sorts event which Frantz is headlining and celebrates music, art and history.
Frantz and Weymouth are updating and remodeling their home studio and are excited to do new recordings once the renovation is completed. And with the rock and roll duo still making cool music, it’s like the ’70s and ’80s never went away.
Activities in Old Washington begin June 18 at 10 a.m., and go until 4 p.m. A tent will be set up in the yard of the Marshall Key House where Frantz will do the book signing at 2 p.m. He’ll also have a group conversation and take questions from guests.
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