Blondie

Blondie are an American rock band that first gained fame in the 1970s and early 1980s. They were pioneers in the early American punk rock and New Wave scene. more...

History

The band were formed in August 1974 when guitarist Chris Stein met Deborah Harry, ex-The Wind in the Willows and, at that time, leading her own band The Stilettos. They were joined by drummer Clem Burke, keyboard player Jimmy Destri and bass player Gary Valentine, and played as Angel and The Snake - for just two shows.

Renamed as Blondie, the band became regulars at New York's Club 51, Max's Kansas City, and CBGB's. They got their first record deal with Private Stock Records in the mid 70s, and released their debut album Blondie in 1976, along with the single "X-Offender". Private Stock Records was then bought out by the U.K based company Chrysalis Records and the first album was re-released on the new label in 1977 along with the single "Rip Her To Shreds". By this time Valentine had been replaced by Nigel Harrison, and another guitarist Frank Infante had been added.

Although they had charted with other singles, including "Picture This" which showed the power of Harry's vocals, their first #1 hit, "Heart of Glass" (off Parallel Lines on Chrysalis), was their real breakout hit. Considered so disco that the label was reluctant to release it - the cut "Studio 54" never made it out - worldwide, the single sold in excess of 1,000,000 copies. In part this may have been influenced by the accompanying video which, even by today's standards, still looks like a modern piece. However, with "Heart of Glass" Blondie's street cred took a hit because of the choice of genres.

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