RELATIVE VALUES

Talking Heads’ Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz: ‘David Byrne refuses to refer to us by name’

The bassist and drummer on surviving a rock’n’roll marriage — and their lead singer

At their home studio in Fairfield, Connecticut
At their home studio in Fairfield, Connecticut
FRANKIE ALDUINO
Danny Scott
The Sunday Times

By 1984 it was obvious that Talking Heads was beginning to fall apart. Chris loved the band and struggled with the idea that his rock star dream was disintegrating. He dealt with his unhappiness in the same way that musicians have done for years — he drank too much and took a lot of cocaine.

I’d been aware that Chris was “enjoying himself” for a while, but our relationship had always been based on mutual respect — we didn’t tell each other what to do. My attitude changed after our first son, Robin, was born in 1982. If Chris was soused all the time, how the hell was he going to be an effective parent?

Rock stars have kids because they think parenting will help