AN iconic 80s rock band has ‘turned down’ the huge sum of £62million to reunite for a string of massive gigs, according to reports.
Talking Heads was apparently approached with the offer of performing at six to eight festivals, including headlining slots, in exchange for the mega pay cheque.
But Billboard claims the group’s four members – David Byrne, Jerry Harrison, Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth – walked away.
The music publication states that global producers Live Nation made the offer but there is no solid explanation as to why they turned it down.
Billboard also claims Talking Heads said ”no” to another offer made by Coachella’s co-founder Paul Tollett.
Paul apparently travelled to the Toronto International Film Festival last September in an effort to convince them to reunite at the California-based event.
A 40th anniversary celebration of Talking Heads’ seminal concert film, Stop Making Sense, was being marked in Toronto at the time and he made a beeline for the group.
But Paul told Billboard that, despite meeting with David, Jerry, Chris and Tina and their reps, he “sensed there were no shows happening, so I didn’t make an offer”.
Talking Heads formed in New York City in 1975 and they were pioneers of New Wave music.
They had huge commercial success with hits including Psycho Killer and Once in a Lifetime.
The group were together for 16 years before announcing their split in 1991.
A year later, Chris spoke out about the ‘disbandment’ but pointed at a feud between the members and David.
He told The Los Angeles Times in 1992: “As far as we’re concerned, the band never really broke up. David just decided to leave.
“We were never too pleased about the way David handled the situation.”
Talking Heads rebranded as Shrunken Heads and toured briefly before going their separate ways.
However, last year, the group showed any past disagreements had been put to bed as all four members sat together for the screening of their movie in Toronto.
Chris told film maker Spike Lee: “It’s so good to be here with my bandmates tonight. It’s been a long time.”
Jerry, meanwhile, added: “We get along OK. It’s all very cordial and whatever. It’s not like we’re all best friends. But everybody’s very happy to see this film coming back out.”
