Blimp Time-Hop: 365° Of Live Talking Heads At The CCCC In ’83

37 years ago today, the Talking Heads came to the Civic Center in Portland for the first and last time on their Speaking in Tongues tour. David Byrne (lead vocals/guitar) brought the BIG SUIT and the funky art rock to burn down the house with Jerry Harrison (guitar/keyboards), Tina Weymouth (bass) and Chris Frantz (drums).

My old friend Rory Hersom was there on August 6, 1983. I was so jealous of him at the beginning of the new school year, because he was wearing a concert t-shirt from this show proudly walking the halls of Cony High School, and I was not. It still wicked bugs me today. I know I keep telling this story. But geez, ya know. Those high school disappointments have a way of stickin' with ya. Let it go, Gu. Let it go.

Here's what I missed. Ugh. Don't feel too bad for me though, ok? I made it to the David Byrne show at the State Theatre in 2001 and finally got to hear most of these epic songs.

I also was very lucky to see Jerry Harrison and the Casual Gods at the Tree Cafe on Danforth St, in Portland back in 1988. Then again two years later when the Escape From New York tour came to the Civic Center in the summer of 1990. That one featured a line-up of mindblowing punk and new wave pioneers that included The Ramones, Debbie Harry (Blondie), and the Tom Tom Club with Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth.

Looks like I made up for missing the historic Speaking in Tongues show, huh.

The Talking Heads’ Stop Making Sense directed by Jonathan Demme film is definitely one of our top 5 concert movies of all time. The cinematography is beautiful. It's an absolute high-energy ride with all those great songs we know and love seen above on the setlist and dance moves like no other. Tonight might be a good night for you to stream that suckah. I know I will be!

It opens with David Byrne walking out onstage playing Psycho Killer on acoustic guitar backed by beats on a boombox cassette player. Watch here.

How about we do some avant-garde 80s aerobicizing with Life During Wartime?