David Byrne

1952–

Introduction

David Byrne (; born May 14, 1952) is an American musician, writer, visual artist, and filmmaker. He was a founding member and the principal songwriter, lead singer, and guitarist of the new wave band Talking Heads.

Byrne was born in Dumbarton, Dunbartonshire, Scotland, and moved to the US with his family as a child. He co-founded Talking Heads in 1975 in New York City. After releasing eight albums, including seven certified gold or platinum, Talking Heads disbanded in 1991.

Byrne has released solo recordings and worked with media including film, photography, opera, fiction, and non-fiction. He has collaborated with artists including Brian Eno, Fatboy Slim, X-Press 2 and St. Vincent. Byrne has received an Academy Award, a Grammy Award, a Special Tony Award, and a Golden Globe Award, and was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as part of Talking Heads.

Wikidata identifier

Q336640

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Information from Wikipedia, made available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License . Accessed January 6, 2026.

Introduction

Known primarily as the front man for the band Talking Heads, Byrne also works in the visual arts and theater.

Country of birth

United Kingdom

Roles

Artist, author, designer, film director, installation artist, mixed-media artist, musician, photographer

ULAN identifier

500333457

Names

David Byrne

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Information from the Getty Research Institute's Union List of Artist Names ® (ULAN), made available under the ODC Attribution License. Accessed January 6, 2026.

Not on view

First acquired
2000

Date of birth
May 14, 1952

API
artists/5444


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