Remain in Love

By: Chris Frantz

Narrated by: Chris Frantz

Length: 15 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's Summary

The Sunday Times best seller.

Chris Frantz's memoir tells the story of his life with Talking Heads, Tom Tom Club and his life-long love affair with Tina Weymouth. He remembers the early performances at CBGB alongside the Ramones, Patti Smith, Television and Blondie and recording the game changing albums, Talking Heads '77, More Songs About Buildings And Food, Fear Of Music, and Remain In Light. During a break from Talking Heads, Chris and Tina formed Tom Tom Club; in the process creating a hybrid of funk, disco, pop and electro that would have a huge impact on the club scene around the world.

Warm and candid, funny and heartfelt, Remain in Love charts the rise of a band that began as a dream and culminated with their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and reveals the once-in-a-lifetime love story and creative partnership between Chris and Tina, one of the greatest rhythm sections of all time.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2020 Chris Frantz (P)2020 Orion Publishing Group

Critic Reviews

"As the Brits say: I'm gobsmacked. I devoured this book.... One of the most potent examples of living the dream." (Debbie Harry)

"A great drummer who has written a great book." (Bill Murray) 

"A revealing inside account of the highs and lows of a band who looked and sounded like nobody else." (Olivia Laing, Guardian)

Remain in love

Narration was a bit plodding but otherwise a very thorough and interesting story about his life in music

Loved it from the first word

I'm a Talking Heads fan so it was odds on I was going to like this book.

Surpassed all expectations, fast paced, not too starry, loads of facts, interesting if you like your music and of the 70's to 90's or so. Insights in to the stars you know and love, a few antics of Shaun Ryder and Bez for example, just a good all round book. Top work Mr Franz.

Almost gave up.

Chris Frantz should record for insomniacs. He has such a mellow voice even when he's swearing. I listened 9n to the end though and I'm glad I did. This book is as much a travel log and a food journey as an autobiography.

Should've left it on the shelf

I've been a fan since my early teens, and this has almost put me off. Given the huge success of Talking Heads, there are way too many spiteful comments that leave a nasty taste. Band power struggles from the perspective of one, I don't think so.
Dreadful monotonous reading voice.
No reflection, self congratulation, and much smugness.

This started making sense

As a huge Talking Heads fan, I was eager to listen to this and I'm glad I did. Chris' life story is always entertaining and details the history of the Heads, the Tom Tom Club and his obvious and undying love for Tina Weymouth. It's a delight listening to stories of the various bands, musicians, artists, clubs and recording adventures that Chris has meet, or been involved with, from the Ramones, to Andy Warhol, Lou Reed and David Bowie to name just four. I loved being able to read about things from his point of view that had impacted on my life, such as their 1982 tour of the UK. I also loved the detailed history of each of their albums and the sheer work that goes into making them, I had no idea.
All that said, there's no great drama or tragedy in Chris's life, just the pure and driven passion of a true artist, and there's something rather lovely about meeting and marrying your college sweetheart and forging a meaningful career and life with them.

For any Talking Heads or New Wave fan this book is a must have! Very enjoyable.

Interesting insights on the rise & demise of Talking Heads

Chris Frantz has a detailed, slow delivery style that I liked. Really interesting to hear how they formed, hit CBGB’s and never looked back. I knew David Byrne had his idiosyncrasies but his non subtle treatment of the band members and other people was sad to hear. Chris & Tina were the beating heart of Talking Heads and they should be proud of all they have achieved. Thoroughly recommend it to Heads fans as well as those interested how bands get a foothold in the industry.

Tight start; saggy ending

I’ve read a couple of biographies over the years, so I’d heard a lot of these stories before. I was also aware that me understanding of Talking Heads is very David Byrne centric; so I wanted to hear an alternative perspective.

On that score, Frantz doesn’t hold back with the zeal of someone who has nothing to lose; what ever friendship might have been there is well and truly gone.

On balance however, the truth appears to rest somewhere in between. For instance, Frantz’ contention - that Busta Cherry was co-opted into the group by Byrne to undermine Tina - is contradicted by a recent interview with Jerry Harrison in Rolling Stone, who claimed both he and David wanted Cherry on tour.

To be sure, it must be challenging to share a band with an ambitious megalomaniac with no apparent social skills, but equally it can’t be easy sharing a band with a devoted married couple.

Unlike Sonic Youth, who broke up when Moore and Gordon separated, Frantz and Weymouth’s marriage and working relationship has endured. This in itself makes the book worthwhile.

For me, the most valuable insight appears in the closing paragraphs. And no, it’s not about the band, it’s about parenthood.

I admire and envy their success. For I was once in a band who attracted the attention of Seymour Stein. Alas, it was not to be.

Essential

If you are a fan of Talking Heads, TTC, David Byrne or the New York Nu Wave, this is a fantastic book. Also gives best insight into Chris Blackwell’s Compass Point studios at its most prolific period

Sadly, a disappointment

I’m sorry to have to say that this isn’t very good on any level. It’s poorly written, poorly edited and poorly read.

If you like lists it might suit you: set lists, lists of gigs, lists of bands who have played at venues, recorded at studios or that other people have played with, produced, or met.

Left me thinking that David Byrne might not be the only person who was in Talking Heads who is not neurotypical.

marvellous

a peek behind the scenes of one of the great movers and shakers in popular music of the 20th century.