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RIP Director (Movies, TV, Documentary and Music Videos) Jonathan Demme

Jonathan Demme, the man who help get David Byrne into that massive suit for the Talking Heads’ Stop Making Sense concert film, has died at the age of 73. The cause was apparently esophageal cancer combined with heart disease.

Demme was best known for his movies, most notably Silence of the Lambs, for which he won an Oscar for Best Director. He also directed the remake of The Manchurian Candidate with Denzel Washington, Tom Hanks in the groundbreaking AIDS film, Philadelphia, and most recently Ricki and the Flash with Meryl Streep.

Demme also produced plenty of documentaries beyond Stop Making Sense. He worked with Neil Young on three docs and directed other films with country star Kenny Chesney, Bruce Springsteen, Justin Timberlake and the Pretenders.

His music videos included “I Got You Babe” with UB40 and Chrissie Hynde and “Perfect Kiss” with New Order.

David Byrne had this tribute to his old friend.

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

Alan Cross has 38040 posts and counting. See all posts by Alan Cross

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