| Blondie is an American rock band that first gained fame in the late 1970s, and who have so far sold over 40 million records.The band was a pioneer in the early American punk rock and New Wave scenes.Its first two albums contained strong elements of these genres, and although successful in Australia and the United Kingdom, Blondie was regarded as an underground band in the United States until the release of Parallel Lines in 1978.Lead singer Deborah Harry achieved a level of celebrity that eclipsed other band members, leading to tension within the group.As members pursued other projects, Blondie's reputation grew over the following decade and the group reformed in 1997, achieving renewed success and a number one single in the United Kingdom with "Maria" in 1999.Early career
2 Mainstream success
3 Hiatus, The Hunter, and breakup
4 Regeneration
5 Legacy
5.He joined The Stilettos in 1973 as their guitarist and formed a romantic relationship with the band's vocalist, Deborah Harry.Wind in the Willows, in the late 1960s.Blondie in late 1975.The name was taken from comments from truck drivers who called "Hey, Blondie" to Harry as they drove by.Blondie achieved their first hit single with the ballad "In the Flesh", after it was played by mistake on an Australian television program.Blondie's first European hit added a danceable pop music beat to their established new wave sound.Blondie became regulars at New York's Club 51, Max's Kansas City and CBGB.In a 1998 interview, bandmember Clem Burke recalled seeing the episode in which the wrong song was played, but he and Chris Stein suggested that it may have been a deliberate subterfuge on the part of Meldrum.Gary Valentine, Clem Burke, Deborah Harry, Chris Stein and Jimmy Destri.Gary Valentine had left.That chart success, along with a successful 1978 UK tour including a gig at the Roundhouse (The Boomtown Rats opened), made Blondie one of the first American new wave bands to achieve mainstream success in the United Kingdom.All Music Guide later described Plastic Letters as inferior to its predecessor, saying that with the exception of the two singles, it appeared to have been constructed from "leftovers" from the Blondie album.Although Blondie received some criticism for adopting a disco sound, "Heart of Glass" became their first U.More typical of their new wave sound, this song was one of several Blondie songs dealing with the theme of obsessive love, and was a hit in the U.The biggest hit of Blondie's career, "Call Me" was an early example of Europop featuring a strong use of synthesisers.Parallel Lines, Blondie's third album, was produced by Mike Chapman.Clem Burke later said the revamped version was inspired partly by Kraftwerk and partly by the Bee Gee's "Stayin' Alive", whose drum beat Burke tried to emulate.Although some members of the British music press condemned Blondie for "selling out", the song became a popular worldwide success.Selling more than one million copies and garnering major airplay, the single reached number one in many countries including the U.Blondie had previously been considered an "underground" band.Blondie's next single in the U."One Way or Another", which reached the top 30.Parallel Lines, but in the U.In the UK, the single "Atomic" reached number one, "Dreaming" number two, and "Union City Blue" was another substantial hit, while in the U.The song became the biggest hit of Blondie's career, spending six weeks at number one in the U."Rapture", each hitting number one in both the U."Rapture" was the first song containing elements of rap vocals to reach number one in the U.UK, where it peaked at number five.Blondie took a brief break in 1981.That year, Debbie Harry and Jimmy Destri both released solo albums; Stein helped out with Harry's album Koo Koo, and Burke with Destri's Heart on a Wall.Also in 1981, Blondie was offered the chance to perform the theme to the new James Bond film For Your Eyes Only.They were under the impression that they had been asked to compose the track as well, but when they presented their song to the film's producers, they learned the offer was to record the theme already written by Bill Conti and Michael Leeson.Blondie's composition for the film was, however, included on their next album.The band reconvened in 1982 to record and release The Hunter.After Stein recovered from his illness, Harry resumed her solo career in 1985, with active participation from Stein in all her recordings.Eurythmics), and Destri also maintained an active career as a producer and session musician.Speaking in 1998, Clem Burke said he had recognized elements of Blondie in the band No Doubt, and Harry commented that she began to realize "our reputation had grown since we stopped".EMI and Chrysalis Records also released several compilations and collections of remixed versions of some of their biggest hits.In 1996, Stein began the process of reuniting Blondie and contacted Burke and Destri.In 1997, the band reformed, performing live three times without Harrison and Infante, who had unsuccessfully sued to prevent the reunion under the name "Blondie".The band released the album The Curse of Blondie in October 2003.Curse was Blondie's least successful album since their debut, though the single "Good Boys" managed to reached number 12 on the UK charts.Legacy
By 1982, the year the band broke up, Blondie had released six studio albums, each exhibiting a stylistic progression from the last.BBC documentary on the group, aired Friday, July 21, 2006, discussed a new legal battle Nigel Harrison and Frank Infante have undertaken against the present day band (most likely over terms of their implied "partnership" agreement as members of Blondie).This has something to do with the frosty reception they received from Harry and Stein at the induction.On May 22, 2006, Blondie was inducted into the Rock Walk of Fame at Guitar Center on Hollywood's Sunset Boulevard.Especially important regarding Blondie's Rock Walk induction is the fact that currently Rock Walk inductions are voted on by previous Rock Walk inductees, making this truly a musician's award.In popular culture
The Blondie song "Atomic" is featured in the 2002 PlayStation 2 videogame Grand Theft Auto: Vice City as part of the New Wave radio station Wave 103, and "Heart of Glass" in on its 2006 prequel game, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories on the same station.In 2006, a mash up of Blondie's "Rapture" and The Doors' "Riders on the Storm" was released as a single titled "Rapture Riders"; it reached the top 30 on the Australian ARIA charts and the top 10 on Billboard's Hot Dance Club chart in the U.Neither Harry nor Stein were involved in the song's production, but Harry commented that the song was "Amazingly good...Stein also approved of the song, the two allowing it to be included on Blondie's Greatest Hits: Sight + Sound album.The Blondie song "One Way or Another" was featured in The Rugrats Movie and is on the soundtrack.In the film and on the soundtrack, Cheryl Chase did the vocals.Blondie are often credited as singing the song I Touch Myself.Heart of Glass in Australia.Profile: Blondie, at About.URL last accessed September 7, 2006."Does Blondie Really Have More Fun?"Blondie at Rolling Stone.Jimmy Destri at Blondie.Metallica Thud, Blondie Feud At Rock Hall Of Fame Ceremony.Blondie inducted in Hollywood's Rock Walk.Catching up with Debbie Harry.Blondie Internet Service) Forum
Rip Her To Shreds, UK Blondie fan site including extensive press and memorabilia sections
The Complete Blondie Discography, extensive Deborah Harry and Blondie discography
blondieforum.If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article.This page was last modified 15:08, 11 January 2008.Blondie
Induction Year: 2006
Induction Category: Performer
Inductees: Deborah Harry (vocals; born July 1, 1945), Clem Burke (drums; born November 24, 1955), Jimmy Destri (keyboards; born April 13, 1954), Nigel Harrison (bass; born April 24, 1951), Frank Infante (guitar; born November 15, 1951), Chris Stein (guitar; born January 5, 1950), Gary Valentine (bass; born December 24, 1955).New Wave, which challenged the established order.In so doing, Blondie helped usher in a changing of the guard.One of the most popular bands of the New Wave era, Blondie hit the scene with visually arresting frontwoman Debbie Harry.Sixties sound and a Seventies sensibility.Bassist Valentine left during the recording of Plastic Letters, and guitarist Frank Infante and bassist Nigel Harrison subsequently joined, making Blondie a sextet.At this point, Blondie was more popular abroad than at home, with Plastic Letters entering the U.The bridge they built would again pay dividends when Blondie recorded the title track for the film American Gigilo.Blondie stuck to their guns.Attack of the Giant Ants.Blondie subsequently released The Best of Blondie (1981) and their most uncommercial album, The Hunter (1982).Harry would release a few more solo albums: Def, Dumb and Blonde (1990) and Debravation (1993).The latter entered the British charts at Number One, proving that after all these years, Blondie still had the magic.TIMELINE
July 1, 1945: Deborah Ann Harry, vocalist for Blondie, is born in Miami, Florida.January 5, 1950: Chris Stein, guitarist with Blondie, is born in Brooklyn, New York.April 24, 1951: Bassist Nigel Harrison of Blondie and other bands is born in England.April 13, 1954: Keyboardist Jimmy Destri of Blondie is born in Brooklyn, New York.Gary Valentine, the original bassist for Blondie, is born.November 24, 1955: Clem Burke, the drummer for Blondie, is born in New York.Blondie frontwoman Debbie Harry.August 1974: The first edition of Blondie forms when Debbie Harry leaves the Stilettos, and takes the band, including guitarist Chris Stein, with her.This group will record the albums Blondie and Plastic Letters (although Valentine will leave during sessions for the latter).Recorded during a period of transition, the album cover depicts Blondie as a foursome: Harry, Stein, Destri and Burke.November 1977: The definitive Blondie lineup is realized as a sextet with the core of Harry, Stein, Destri and Burke joined by bassist Nigel Harrison and guitarist Frank Infante.Parallel Lines is released.October 26, 1998: Blondie kicks off a reunion tour in Stockholm, Sweden.Blondie, enters the U.November 3, 2005: Best of Blondie receives its second platinum certification from the RIAA, signifying sales of two million copies.March 13, 2006: Blondie is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at the 21st annual induction dinner.Recording Essentials
Heart of Glass
X Offender
Hanging on the Telephone
One Way or Another
The Tide is High
Dreaming
Dennis
In the Flesh
Call Me
Atomic
Recommended Reading
Blondie.Making Tracks: The Rise of Blondie.New York: Da Capo Press, 1998.Picture This: Debbie Harry and Blondie.The Beatles' Table Top Promotional Display for Parlophone Records, 1963
Photo by Design PhotographyCollection of Peter J.Sorry for the inconvenience.Comics provided by King Features have a limited archive (first week of the previous month) here.Phil Frank's Farley archive."Are you sure you want to block this user?Please check out highlights of Debbie Harry and go to www.Table, Td table table table table table table table table table table table, table table table td body, div, p, strong, td, .Subscribe to the Blondie newsletter.Hi Blondie,Thanx for making music that more exciting while I was growing up and also adding me a friend.Luv all you do and will continue to do so.Hey,There would be no Dermont without the outstanding work of Blondie.All you people out there in the streets of these big cities, with your stories, your lifes, your laughters and your crys, you inspirate me every new day.Did they visit my space?COMING THRU TO SHOW SOME LOVE GIRL!!CLICK HEREThanks for the add.Thk's 4 the add.........You guys fucking RoCk !!!!THIS JUST IN::::::::::THIS JUST IN::::::::::THIS JUST IN::::::::::THIS JUST IN::::::::::THIS JUST IN::::::::::THIS JUST IN:::::NEW SONG POSTED!MAY 10TH, 2008Are you ready to rumble?Red Winged Sand Monster comes home to roost.Mars will also host the junior god school magic vs.You are welcome to bring a friend or two and add to the merriment of the moment.ALSO HEAR OUR ROBOMUSIC AND READ OUR TALL TALE!Have Fun While Listening!First, I really love your groups music since I was a kid in the 1970's.Second, I watched both versions of your new video.My computer wasn't going to let me vote so I just wanted to tell you that I liked the US version better.He has never voted to raise taxes!He has never voted to increase the power of the executive branch!He voted against regulating the Internet!He does not participate in the lucrative congressional pension program!COM TO FIND OUT MORE or you can go to my site and watch some of the videos posted!LOVE your music and pretty much always will!!Have Fun While Listening!Do I need to dig the floor?Is it just behind the door?Hello Blondie, we love your music!!!This is not a MySpace login page, please do not enter your MySpace login information (email address or password).Do you wish to continue your form submission?"Id + " Link: " + targetLink.When the band dissolved he and Harry organized a new group, Angel And The Snakes, of which the core eventually evolved into Blondie.Producer Mike Chapman, already a fan of Blondie's, felt they could do better.Working with Chapman was different than Richard Gottehrer, who had produced their first two albums.Many thought Blondie was just Deborah Harry (the blonde hair?Was Blondie a singer or a group?Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac to sing the title song for the film.Blondie and the number one single of the year.Neither Schrader nor Moroder placed any restrictions on her.The instrumental track was already recorded (by Moroder, not Blondie), so it only took Deb a couple of hours to record her vocals, including harmonies.The 1980 smash produced two number one hits and is by far their most successful album.Blondie's version closely parallels The Paragons, since, unlike past Blondie songs, 3 extra percussionists and string and horn arrangements were used to make a West Indies sound.You never get blase about that.They were calling us and playing it at games, using it for a theme song.Their next song was the first rap song that many Americans had ever heard.To me it's a little off the beat.Infante sued, charging that he wasn't being used on the records, though he settled and stayed in the lineup.Chrysalis an album on their contract, and it sounds like the obligatory record it was.When Stein recovered Deb resumed her solo career.Click Here To Visit Blondie's Own Website!The group was formed in New York City in August 1974 by singer Deborah Harry (b.Bassist Gary Valentine joined in August.April 13, 1954) joined, to complete the initial permanent lineup.They released their first album, Blondie, on Private Stock Records in December 1976.In July 1977, Valentine was replaced by Frank Infante.In August, Chrysalis Records bought their contract from Private Stock and in October reissued Blondie and released the second album, Plastic Letters.Blondie expanded to a sextet in November with the addition of bassist Nigel Harrison (born in Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire, England), as Infante switched to guitar.Blondie broke commercially in the U.Blondie turned to U.Mike Chapman for their third album, Parallel Lines, which was released in September 1978 and eventually broke them worldwide.Top 40 hit, and "Hanging on the Telephone" made the U."Heart of Glass," that took Blondie to number one in both the U.Blondie followed with their fourth album, Eat to the Beat, in October.Its first single, "Dreaming," went Top Ten in the U.Meanwhile, Harry was collaborating with German disco producer Giorgio Moroder on "Call Me," the theme from the movie American Gigolo."Rapture," which topped the U.Infante sued, charging that he wasn't being used on the records, though he settled and stayed in the lineup.The Best of Blondie was released in the fall of the year.The Hunter, Blondie's sixth album, was released in May 1982, preceded by the single "Island of Lost Souls," a Top 40 hit in the U."War Child" also became a Top 40 hit in the U.The Hunter was a commercial disappointment.Stein, who eventually recovered. |
![Blondie : Atomic-Atomix: The Very Best Of [CD 1]](/covers/19/1983/alb_63883_th.jpg "Blondie : Atomic-Atomix: The Very Best Of [CD 1]")
![Blondie : Atomic-Atomix: The Very Best Of [CD 2]](/covers/19/1983/alb_63884_th.jpg "Blondie : Atomic-Atomix: The Very Best Of [CD 2]")
