‘Stop Making Sense’ Returns To Theaters for Film’s 40th Anniversary
Byrne received a Grammy Nomination for Best Musical Theater Album for the soundtrack to his hit Broadway show 'American Utopia On Broadway.'
Stop Making Sense has been hailed as one of the greatest concert films of all time. Now, Talking Heads fans will get to experience the performance on the big screen to mark a milestone anniversary.
It’s been forty years since the film debuted to critical acclaim, and now the footage from those three nights at Hollywood’s Pantages Theater have been restored in 4K, allowing viewers to see every little stitch on David Byrne’s oversized suit. The movie was actually screened in IMAX theaters last year for a limited run, becoming the highest-grossing IMAX live event ever. If you missed it the first time around, or if you want to witness the Talking Heads in their prime all over again, you’ll have your chance at a theater near you starting on January 27th, thanks to A24.
The studios note, “…the 1984 film was directed by renowned filmmaker Jonathan Demme and is considered by critics as the greatest concert film of all time. Stop Making Sense stars core band members David Byrne, Tina Weymouth, Chris Frantz, and Jerry Harrison along with Bernie Worrell, Alex Weir, Steve Scales, Lynn Mabry and Edna Holt…and features Talking Heads’ most memorable songs.”
Check out the clever trailer for the re-release, which follows David Byrne to pick up his iconic white suit from the dry cleaners.
Tickets are available here. The movie will screen at cities across the United States, Canada and the U.K., with a few lucky spots hosting longer residency screenings, according to A24’s Instagram. Unfortunately, Philadelphia doesn’t have any theaters listed for this yet, but we’re hoping that updates soon.
Variety reports that a Stop Making Sense tribute album is also on the way, with a mix of 16 different artists covering Talking Heads songs. A release date for that has not yet been announced.
25 Albums That Turn 40 in 2024
Of the albums that turn 40 in 2024, there are some massive hits and classics everyone should own.
It can be argued that 1984 belonged to Tina Turner. The music legend released her comeback album, Private Dancer, that year. The album sold over 12 million copies worldwide and solidified her as the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll. In addition to her massive tour supporting the album, Private Dancer won four Grammy Awards, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year for “What’s Love Got to Do with It?”
Then again, some could argue that 1984 belonged to Prince. Backed by The Revolution, he released the soundtrack to Purple Rain. Literally, every track on the album could’ve been a single and practically was. Its five hit singles included “When Doves Cry,” “Let’s Go Crazy,” “Purple Rain,” “I Would Die 4 U” and “Take Me with U.”
Bruce Springsteen also had an incredible 1984 thanks to Born in the U.S.A. The album is still The Boss’s biggest commercial success in his storied catalog. In case you’ve been living under a rock for the past four decades, Born in the U.S.A. features many hits, including the title track, “Glory Days,” “Cover Me,” “I’m on Fire” and “Dancing in the Dark.”
Not to be outdone, then-relatively new pop singer Madonna released a little album called Like a Virgin. The album has sold 21 million copies worldwide and features the title track, “Dress You Up” and “Material Girl.” The album made Madonna a pop superstar, and she hasn’t looked back since.
Keep scrolling to see other albums that turn 40 in 2024! You’ll find other major titles from U2, Metallica, Queen, The Pretenders, Van Halen, Talking Heads, Twisted Sister and more. We really weren’t kidding when we said 1984 featured some massive hits.
Catch Brent Porche on-air and online weekdays between 3PM – 7PM on WMMR. Brent loves to celebrate important musical anniversaries and milestones on my show, especially on Double Shot Tuesdays! He is honored to continue to the legacy of ‘MMR’s Local Shots Artist of the Month feature every Wednesday on-air at 6:30pm and via the Local Shots Headquarters page online, anytime at WMMR.com.
