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Blondie Day over Green Adelaide
Image by PeterTea
Blondie is an American rock band, ascertaineded by singer Debbie Harry as comfortably as guitarist Chris Stein. The band was a pioneer in the early American fresh wave as comfortably as punk scenes of the mid-1970s. Their first two albums compriseed powerful elements of these genres, as comfortably as although successful in the United Kingdom as comfortably as Australia, Blondie was regarded as an belowground band in the United States till the release of Parallel Lines in 1978. Over the next three years, the band achieved numerous hit singles as comfortably as turned noted for it is eclectic mix of musical styles incorporating elements of disco, pop, rap, as comfortably as reggae, during retaining a basic style as a fresh wave band.
Blondie broke up afterwards the release of their 6th studio album The Hunter in 1982. Debbie Harry continued to pursue a solo career goes along with varied results afterwards taking a few years off to care for regionner Chris Stein, who was diagnosed goes along with pemphigus, a rare autoimmune disease of the skin.
The band reformed in 1997, achieving renewed success as comfortably as a number overe single in the United Kingdom goes along with "Maria" in 1999. The group toured as comfortably as performed byout the world[5] over the following years, as comfortably as was inducted into the Rock as comfortably as Roll Hall of Fame in 2006.[6] Blondie has sold 40 million records worldwide[7] as comfortably as is still active today, goes along with a fresh album, Panic of Girls, planned for release in 2010.
Early career (1975–1978) In the early 1970s, Chris Stein mobiled from Brooklyn to Manhattan.Inspired by the burgeoning fresh music scene at the Mercer Arts Center, he sought to join a similar band. He joined The Stilettos in 1973 as their guitarist as comfortably as formed a romantic relationship goes along with overe of the band’s vocalists, Debbie Harry, a ex waitress as comfortably as Playboy Bunny, Harry had been a member of the folk-rock band, The Wind in the Willows, in the late 1960s. In 1974, Stein regioned methods goes along with The Stilettos as comfortably as Elda Gentile, the band’s originator. Stein as comfortably as Harry formed a fresh band goes along with drummer Billy O’Connor as comfortably as bassist Fred Smith. By 1975, afterwards some personnel turnover (including sisters Tish as comfortably as Snooky Bellomo over backing vocals), Stein as comfortably as Harry were joined by drummer Clem Burke, keyboard player Jimmy Destri as comfortably as bass player Gary Valentine. Originally billed as Angel as comfortably as the Snakes,they renamed ourselves Blondie in late 1975. The name derived from comments created by truck drivers who catcalled "Hey, Blondie" to Harry as they drove by.Later, band members were amused to learn that the name was shared by Adolf Hitler’s dog Blondie, a fact acknowledged in parody when, in 1997, they semi-anonymously contributed a cover of "Ordinary Bummer" to the Iggy Pop tribute album We Will Fall below the pseudonym ‘Adolph’s Dog’. Blondie turned regulars at Max’s Kansas City as comfortably as CBGB.They got their first record deal goes along with Private Stock Records in early 1976 as comfortably as released their debut single "X-Offender" over June 17, 1976.Their debut album Blondie (AUS #14, UK #75) was issued in December 1976. In September 1977, Blondie bought back it is againstct goes along with Private Stock as comfortably as as comfortably as so signed goes along with Chrysalis Records.The first album was re-released over the fresh label in October 1977. Rolling Stone’s review of the debut album observed the eclectic nature of the group’s music, comparing it to Phil Spector as comfortably as The Who, as comfortably as commented that the album’s two strengths were Richard Gottehrer’s production as comfortably as the persona of Deborah Harry, stating she performed goes along with "utter aplomb as comfortably as involvement byout: though when she is portraying a character consummately obnoxious as comfortably as spaced-out, there is a wink of awareness that is comforting as comfortably as amusing yet never condescending." It asides noted that Harry was the "possessor of a bombshell zombie’s voice that can sound dreamily seductive as comfortably as woodenly Mansonite goes along inside the same song".
The band’s first commercial success occurred in Australia in 1977, when the music television program Countdown mistakenly played their video "In the Flesh", which was the B-side of their current single "X-Offender".[6] Jimmy Destri consequence credited the present’s Molly Meldrum for their initial success, commenting that "we still thank him to this day" for playing the wrong song.[16] In a 1998 interview, drummer Clem Burke recalled sawing the episode in which the wrong song was played, but he as comfortably as Chris Stein suggested that it may have been a deliberate subterfuge over the region of Meldrum. Stein asserted that "X-Offender" was "too crazy as comfortably as aggressive [to become a hit]", during "In the Flesh" was "not representative of any punk sensibility. Over the years, I’ve thought they probably played both things but fond of overe more beneficial. That’s all." In retrospect, Burke presentd "In the Flesh" as "a forerunner to the power ballad".
Both the single as comfortably as album reached the Australian the best five in October 1977, as comfortably as a subsequent double-A release of "X-Offender" as comfortably as "Rip Her to Shreds" was asides popular. A successful Australian tour concorded in December, though it was marred by an incident in Brisbane when disappointed fans closely rioted afterwards Harry canceled a performance, due to illness.
In February 1978, Blondie released their second album, Plastic Letters (UK #10, US #78). The album was recorded as a 4-piece band because Gary Valentine left the band.Plastic Letters was promoted extensively byout Europe as comfortably as Asia by Chrysalis Records.[6] The album’s first single, "Denis", was a cover version of Randy as comfortably as the Rainbows’ 1963 hit. It reached number two over the British singles charts, during both the album as comfortably as it is second single, "(I’m Always Touched by Your) Presence, Dear", reached the British the best ten. Chart success, along goes along with a successful 1978 UK tour, including a gig at London’s Roundhouse, created Blondie overe of the first American fresh wave bands to achieve primarystream success in the United Kingdom.[6] By this time, Gary Valentine had been replaced by Frank Infante (guitar, bass guitar), as comfortably as briefly afterwards that Nigel Harrison (bass guitar) joined, expanding the band to a 6-piece for the first time.
"Heart of Glass" was their first U.S. hit. The disco-infused track the bestped the U.S. charts in April 1979. It was a reworking of a rock as comfortably as reggae-infused song that the group had performed because it is formation, updated goes along with powerful elements of disco music. Clem Burke consequence stated the revamped version was inspired regionly by Kraftwerk as comfortably as regionly by the Bee Gees’ "Stayin’ Alive", whose drum beat Burke attempted to emulate. He as comfortably as Stein gave Jimmy Destri much of the credit for the final result, noting that Destri’s appreciation of technology had led him to introduce synthesizers as comfortably as to rework the keyboard sections.[21] Although some members of the British music press condemned Blondie for "selling out", the song turned a success, worldwide. Selling more than a million copies as comfortably as garnering major airplay, the single reached number overe in many countries including the U.S., where Blondie had previously been considered an "underground" band. The song was accompanied by a music video that presentcased Debbie Harry’s difficult-edged as comfortably as playfully sexual persona, as comfortably as she began to attain a celebrity status that set her apart from the some some other band members, who were hugely neglected by the media.
Blondie’s next single in the U.S. was a more aggressive rock song, "One Way or Another" (US #24), which turned their second hit single in the United States. Meanwhile, in the UK, an alternate single option, "Sunday Girl", turned a #1 hit. Parallel Lines is ranked #140 over Rolling Stone’s list of 500 amazingest albums of all time.[22] In June 1979, Blondie, photographed by Annie Leibovitz, was featured over the cover of Rolling Stone magazine.
Their 4th album, Eat to the Beat (UK #1, US #17), released in October 1979, was comfortably-received by critics as a suitable follow-up to Parallel Lines, but in the U.S., it is singles failed to achieve the same level of success as in the UK, where "Atomic" (UK #1, US #39) reached number overe, "Dreaming" (UK #2, US #27) reached number two, as comfortably as "Union City Blue" (UK #13) charted in the the best 20.
Blondie’s next single, the Grammy-nominated "Call Me" was the result of Debbie Harry’s collaboration goes along with the Italian songwriter as comfortably as producer Giorgio Moroder, who had been responsible for Donna Summer’s biggest hits. This track was not included over any Blondie studio album; more, it was the title theme of the soundtrack for the film American Gigolo. Released in February 1980, "Call Me" spent 6 weeks at #1 in the U.S. as comfortably as Canada, reached #1 in the U.K. as comfortably as turned a hit byout the world. The song is the band’s biggest selling single in the U.S. (over a million copies sold – gold status) as comfortably as was Billboard magazine’s #1 single of 1980.
In November 1980, Blondie’s fifth studio album, Autoamerican (UK #3, US #7) was released as comfortably as compriseed two more #1 US hits: the reggae-styled "The Tide Is High", a cover version of a 1967 song by The Paragons, as comfortably as the rap-flavored "Rapture", which was overe of the earliest songs compriseing elements of rap vocals to reach number overe in the U.S.,sweeping the world by storm. "Rapture" would be the band’s overly single to achieve a higher chart position over the U.S. charts than in the UK, where it peaked at #5. Autoamerican was a departure from previous Blondie records, featuring moreless fresh wave as comfortably as rock in favor of stylistic experiments, including acoustic jazz: "Faces", as comfortably as from an early Broadway present, "Camelot", came "Follow Me".
Hiatus, The Hunter, as comfortably as breakup (1981–1982)
Following their success of 1978-80, Blondie need a summary break in 1981. That year, Debbie Harry as comfortably as Jimmy Destri both released solo albums; Stein assisted out goes along with Harry’s album Koo Koo (UK #6, US #28) as comfortably as Burke goes along with Destri’s Heart over a Wall. Frank Infante sued the band concerning a lack of involvement over the Autoamerican sessions; it was settled out of court, as comfortably as Infante remained in the band (though Harry has subsequently stated Infante was not over the next LP).
The band reconvened in 1981 to record as comfortably as release (in 1982) The Hunter (UK #9, US #33). In againstst to their earlier commercial as comfortably as critical successes, The Hunter was badly received as comfortably as failed to hit the the best 20 in the U.S. The album did have two moderate hit singles: "Island of Lost Souls" (#11 UK, #37 US) as comfortably as "War Child" (#39 UK).
The Hunter asides included a song entitled "For Your Eyes Only" which shares it is title goes along with a 1981 James Bond film. This song was authenticly written over spec to be the film’s opening-title theme. However, the producers chose another song by the same name, composed by Bill Conti as comfortably as Michael Leeson. Blondie was offered the chance to perform Conti as comfortably as Leeson’s song, but they turned the offer down. Sheena Easton’s rendition of Conti as comfortably as Leeson’s theme song turned a the best-ten single worldwide.
With tensions goes along inside the band over the rise due to the commercial decline as comfortably as the constant press focus over Harry to the exclusion of the some some other band members, thoughts reached a breaking point when Stein was diagnosed goes along with the life-threatening illness pemphigus.Blondie band members received a letter to tell them not to rely over any more money from the bank, as there was overly ,000 left in their account. Their managers had completely wiped them out, as comfortably as as a result of this as comfortably as of drug utilize, mismanagement, tension in the band, slow ticket sales, as comfortably as Chris Stein’s worsening illness, Blondie canceled their tour plans early in August 1982. Shortly thereafter, the band splintered, goes along with at in the least overe (unspecified) member quitting as comfortably as instigating lawsuits furthermorest the some some other group members; the group formally announced their break up in November, 1982.
Stein as comfortably as Harry, still a couple at the time, stayed together as comfortably as retreated from the public spotlight for a few years, goes along with the bution of the minor single releases "Rush Rush" (1983, from the film Scarface) as comfortably as 1985′s dance track "Feel the Spin". Harry was forced to sell the couple’s five-story mansion to pay off debts that the band had run up, Stein owed in excess of million, as comfortably as drug utilize was becoming an increasing concern for them. Harry determined to call out off her intimate relationship to Stein as comfortably as mobiled downtown. She stated in a 2006 interview that she felt she was getting a sort of breakdown due to all the stress. After Stein recovered from his illness, Harry resumed her solo career goes along with a fresh album (Rockbird) in 1986, goes along with active regionicipation from Stein. Meanwhile, Burke turned a much-in-demand session drummer, playing for a time goes along with the Eurythmics, as comfortably as Destri primarytained an active career as a producer as comfortably as session musician.
Blondie Day over Green Adelaide
Image by PeterTea
Blondie is an American rock band, ascertaineded by singer Debbie Harry as comfortably as guitarist Chris Stein. The band was a pioneer in the early American fresh wave as comfortably as punk scenes of the mid-1970s. Their first two albums compriseed powerful elements of these genres, as comfortably as although successful in the United Kingdom as comfortably as Australia, Blondie was regarded as an belowground band in the United States till the release of Parallel Lines in 1978. Over the next three years, the band achieved numerous hit singles as comfortably as turned noted for it is eclectic mix of musical styles incorporating elements of disco, pop, rap, as comfortably as reggae, during retaining a basic style as a fresh wave band.
Blondie broke up afterwards the release of their 6th studio album The Hunter in 1982. Debbie Harry continued to pursue a solo career goes along with varied results afterwards taking a few years off to care for regionner Chris Stein, who was diagnosed goes along with pemphigus, a rare autoimmune disease of the skin.
The band reformed in 1997, achieving renewed success as comfortably as a number overe single in the United Kingdom goes along with "Maria" in 1999. The group toured as comfortably as performed byout the world[5] over the following years, as comfortably as was inducted into the Rock as comfortably as Roll Hall of Fame in 2006.[6] Blondie has sold 40 million records worldwide[7] as comfortably as is still active today, goes along with a fresh album, Panic of Girls, planned for release in 2010.
Early career (1975–1978) In the early 1970s, Chris Stein mobiled from Brooklyn to Manhattan.Inspired by the burgeoning fresh music scene at the Mercer Arts Center, he sought to join a similar band. He joined The Stilettos in 1973 as their guitarist as comfortably as formed a romantic relationship goes along with overe of the band’s vocalists, Debbie Harry, a ex waitress as comfortably as Playboy Bunny, Harry had been a member of the folk-rock band, The Wind in the Willows, in the late 1960s. In 1974, Stein regioned methods goes along with The Stilettos as comfortably as Elda Gentile, the band’s originator. Stein as comfortably as Harry formed a fresh band goes along with drummer Billy O’Connor as comfortably as bassist Fred Smith. By 1975, afterwards some personnel turnover (including sisters Tish as comfortably as Snooky Bellomo over backing vocals), Stein as comfortably as Harry were joined by drummer Clem Burke, keyboard player Jimmy Destri as comfortably as bass player Gary Valentine. Originally billed as Angel as comfortably as the Snakes,they renamed ourselves Blondie in late 1975. The name derived from comments created by truck drivers who catcalled "Hey, Blondie" to Harry as they drove by.Later, band members were amused to learn that the name was shared by Adolf Hitler’s dog Blondie, a fact acknowledged in parody when, in 1997, they semi-anonymously contributed a cover of "Ordinary Bummer" to the Iggy Pop tribute album We Will Fall below the pseudonym ‘Adolph’s Dog’. Blondie turned regulars at Max’s Kansas City as comfortably as CBGB.They got their first record deal goes along with Private Stock Records in early 1976 as comfortably as released their debut single "X-Offender" over June 17, 1976.Their debut album Blondie (AUS #14, UK #75) was issued in December 1976. In September 1977, Blondie bought back it is againstct goes along with Private Stock as comfortably as as comfortably as so signed goes along with Chrysalis Records.The first album was re-released over the fresh label in October 1977. Rolling Stone’s review of the debut album observed the eclectic nature of the group’s music, comparing it to Phil Spector as comfortably as The Who, as comfortably as commented that the album’s two strengths were Richard Gottehrer’s production as comfortably as the persona of Deborah Harry, stating she performed goes along with "utter aplomb as comfortably as involvement byout: though when she is portraying a character consummately obnoxious as comfortably as spaced-out, there is a wink of awareness that is comforting as comfortably as amusing yet never condescending." It asides noted that Harry was the "possessor of a bombshell zombie’s voice that can sound dreamily seductive as comfortably as woodenly Mansonite goes along inside the same song".
The band’s first commercial success occurred in Australia in 1977, when the music television program Countdown mistakenly played their video "In the Flesh", which was the B-side of their current single "X-Offender".[6] Jimmy Destri consequence credited the present’s Molly Meldrum for their initial success, commenting that "we still thank him to this day" for playing the wrong song.[16] In a 1998 interview, drummer Clem Burke recalled sawing the episode in which the wrong song was played, but he as comfortably as Chris Stein suggested that it may have been a deliberate subterfuge over the region of Meldrum. Stein asserted that "X-Offender" was "too crazy as comfortably as aggressive [to become a hit]", during "In the Flesh" was "not representative of any punk sensibility. Over the years, I’ve thought they probably played both things but fond of overe more beneficial. That’s all." In retrospect, Burke presentd "In the Flesh" as "a forerunner to the power ballad".
Both the single as comfortably as album reached the Australian the best five in October 1977, as comfortably as a subsequent double-A release of "X-Offender" as comfortably as "Rip Her to Shreds" was asides popular. A successful Australian tour concorded in December, though it was marred by an incident in Brisbane when disappointed fans closely rioted afterwards Harry canceled a performance, due to illness.
In February 1978, Blondie released their second album, Plastic Letters (UK #10, US #78). The album was recorded as a 4-piece band because Gary Valentine left the band.Plastic Letters was promoted extensively byout Europe as comfortably as Asia by Chrysalis Records.[6] The album’s first single, "Denis", was a cover version of Randy as comfortably as the Rainbows’ 1963 hit. It reached number two over the British singles charts, during both the album as comfortably as it is second single, "(I’m Always Touched by Your) Presence, Dear", reached the British the best ten. Chart success, along goes along with a successful 1978 UK tour, including a gig at London’s Roundhouse, created Blondie overe of the first American fresh wave bands to achieve primarystream success in the United Kingdom.[6] By this time, Gary Valentine had been replaced by Frank Infante (guitar, bass guitar), as comfortably as briefly afterwards that Nigel Harrison (bass guitar) joined, expanding the band to a 6-piece for the first time.
"Heart of Glass" was their first U.S. hit. The disco-infused track the bestped the U.S. charts in April 1979. It was a reworking of a rock as comfortably as reggae-infused song that the group had performed because it is formation, updated goes along with powerful elements of disco music. Clem Burke consequence stated the revamped version was inspired regionly by Kraftwerk as comfortably as regionly by the Bee Gees’ "Stayin’ Alive", whose drum beat Burke attempted to emulate. He as comfortably as Stein gave Jimmy Destri much of the credit for the final result, noting that Destri’s appreciation of technology had led him to introduce synthesizers as comfortably as to rework the keyboard sections.[21] Although some members of the British music press condemned Blondie for "selling out", the song turned a success, worldwide. Selling more than a million copies as comfortably as garnering major airplay, the single reached number overe in many countries including the U.S., where Blondie had previously been considered an "underground" band. The song was accompanied by a music video that presentcased Debbie Harry’s difficult-edged as comfortably as playfully sexual persona, as comfortably as she began to attain a celebrity status that set her apart from the some some other band members, who were hugely neglected by the media.
Blondie’s next single in the U.S. was a more aggressive rock song, "One Way or Another" (US #24), which turned their second hit single in the United States. Meanwhile, in the UK, an alternate single option, "Sunday Girl", turned a #1 hit. Parallel Lines is ranked #140 over Rolling Stone’s list of 500 amazingest albums of all time.[22] In June 1979, Blondie, photographed by Annie Leibovitz, was featured over the cover of Rolling Stone magazine.
Their 4th album, Eat to the Beat (UK #1, US #17), released in October 1979, was comfortably-received by critics as a suitable follow-up to Parallel Lines, but in the U.S., it is singles failed to achieve the same level of success as in the UK, where "Atomic" (UK #1, US #39) reached number overe, "Dreaming" (UK #2, US #27) reached number two, as comfortably as "Union City Blue" (UK #13) charted in the the best 20.
Blondie’s next single, the Grammy-nominated "Call Me" was the result of Debbie Harry’s collaboration goes along with the Italian songwriter as comfortably as producer Giorgio Moroder, who had been responsible for Donna Summer’s biggest hits. This track was not included over any Blondie studio album; more, it was the title theme of the soundtrack for the film American Gigolo. Released in February 1980, "Call Me" spent 6 weeks at #1 in the U.S. as comfortably as Canada, reached #1 in the U.K. as comfortably as turned a hit byout the world. The song is the band’s biggest selling single in the U.S. (over a million copies sold – gold status) as comfortably as was Billboard magazine’s #1 single of 1980.
In November 1980, Blondie’s fifth studio album, Autoamerican (UK #3, US #7) was released as comfortably as compriseed two more #1 US hits: the reggae-styled "The Tide Is High", a cover version of a 1967 song by The Paragons, as comfortably as the rap-flavored "Rapture", which was overe of the earliest songs compriseing elements of rap vocals to reach number overe in the U.S.,sweeping the world by storm. "Rapture" would be the band’s overly single to achieve a higher chart position over the U.S. charts than in the UK, where it peaked at #5. Autoamerican was a departure from previous Blondie records, featuring moreless fresh wave as comfortably as rock in favor of stylistic experiments, including acoustic jazz: "Faces", as comfortably as from an early Broadway present, "Camelot", came "Follow Me".
Hiatus, The Hunter, as comfortably as breakup (1981–1982)
Following their success of 1978-80, Blondie need a summary break in 1981. That year, Debbie Harry as comfortably as Jimmy Destri both released solo albums; Stein assisted out goes along with Harry’s album Koo Koo (UK #6, US #28) as comfortably as Burke goes along with Destri’s Heart over a Wall. Frank Infante sued the band concerning a lack of involvement over the Autoamerican sessions; it was settled out of court, as comfortably as Infante remained in the band (though Harry has subsequently stated Infante was not over the next LP).
The band reconvened in 1981 to record as comfortably as release (in 1982) The Hunter (UK #9, US #33). In againstst to their earlier commercial as comfortably as critical successes, The Hunter was badly received as comfortably as failed to hit the the best 20 in the U.S. The album did have two moderate hit singles: "Island of Lost Souls" (#11 UK, #37 US) as comfortably as "War Child" (#39 UK).
The Hunter asides included a song entitled "For Your Eyes Only" which shares it is title goes along with a 1981 James Bond film. This song was authenticly written over spec to be the film’s opening-title theme. However, the producers chose another song by the same name, composed by Bill Conti as comfortably as Michael Leeson. Blondie was offered the chance to perform Conti as comfortably as Leeson’s song, but they turned the offer down. Sheena Easton’s rendition of Conti as comfortably as Leeson’s theme song turned a the best-ten single worldwide.
With tensions goes along inside the band over the rise due to the commercial decline as comfortably as the constant press focus over Harry to the exclusion of the some some other band members, thoughts reached a breaking point when Stein was diagnosed goes along with the life-threatening illness pemphigus.Blondie band members received a letter to tell them not to rely over any more money from the bank, as there was overly ,000 left in their account. Their managers had completely wiped them out, as comfortably as as a result of this as comfortably as of drug utilize, mismanagement, tension in the band, slow ticket sales, as comfortably as Chris Stein’s worsening illness, Blondie canceled their tour plans early in August 1982. Shortly thereafter, the band splintered, goes along with at in the least overe (unspecified) member quitting as comfortably as instigating lawsuits furthermorest the some some other group members; the group formally announced their break up in November, 1982.
Stein as comfortably as Harry, still a couple at the time, stayed together as comfortably as retreated from the public spotlight for a few years, goes along with the bution of the minor single releases "Rush Rush" (1983, from the film Scarface) as comfortably as 1985′s dance track "Feel the Spin". Harry was forced to sell the couple’s five-story mansion to pay off debts that the band had run up, Stein owed in excess of million, as comfortably as drug utilize was becoming an increasing concern for them. Harry determined to call out off her intimate relationship to Stein as comfortably as mobiled downtown. She stated in a 2006 interview that she felt she was getting a sort of breakdown due to all the stress. After Stein recovered from his illness, Harry resumed her solo career goes along with a fresh album (Rockbird) in 1986, goes along with active regionicipation from Stein. Meanwhile, Burke turned a much-in-demand session drummer, playing for a time goes along with the Eurythmics, as comfortably as Destri primarytained an active career as a producer as comfortably as session musician.
