David Byrne

David Byrne is best known as the oversized-suit-wearing frontman of Talking Heads, the New York City rock band that changed the game in the ’80s with their fusion of post-punk, funk and Afropop. But Byrne is also a prolific solo artist, and he has racked up an Oscar, a Grammy, a Tony and other prestigious awards for his vivacious songwriting, frenzied singing, vividly observed lyrics and imaginative stage shows. Born in May 1952 in Scotland, Byrne grew up in Canada and New England and formed Talking Heads in 1975. After they disbanded in 1991, Byrne branched out with numerous projects, including solo albums, film and stage productions and his Luaka Bop label, which played a crucial role in introducing innovative South American and African artists to Western audiences. Over the years he has often reached out to kindred spirits like Brian Eno and St. Vincent for collaborations, and his rhythmic, joyful Broadway stage show American Utopia—which was adapted from a solo album of the same name and premiered in 2019—demonstrates how he continues to define and redefine the boundaries of pop.