Debbie Harry is a gifted vocalist and actress who became the biggest star associated with the New York punk explosion of the 1970s. As the lead vocalist with Blondie, Harry's cool charisma and breathy but strong vocal style helped take the band from cult popularity to mainstream success with a string of hit singles. Harry was a strong, intelligent woman who achieved rock stardom when women were struggling to earn greater recognition in the music industry, winning fame on her own terms.
Debbie Harry.
Born in sunny Miami, Florida, and raised by adopted parents, Debbie Harry always had an interest in music growing up. In the late '60s, Harry had brief (and unsuccessful) spells with folk-rock and funk-rock bands, before co-forming the group, Angel & the Snake - and in time the group would adopt the name Blondie, after a common catcall Harry received after she began dying her naturally brown hair blonde.
Blondie arrived on the New York City rock scene as a new sound and style was emerging from New York's Bowery, dubbed "punk" or "new wave" by the press, as new bands with an intelligent but nervy approach were making a noise at a club called CBGB. Blondie became regular performers at the club, and while their angular retro-'60s sound was far from what was making the rounds on mainstream radio, their songs were catchy, the band was energetic, and Harry was a strong, engaging vocalist that the camera liked.
Blondie became one of the first of the CBGB bands to land a record deal, signing with Private Stock Records and releasing their self-titled debut album in 1976. The album didn't sell very well, but it made enough noise to attract the attention of Chrysalis Records, a larger and better established label who bought out Blondie's contract. Their second album, 1978's Plastic Letters, became a success in Europe and the UK, thanks to a pair of successful singles, "Denis" and "(I'm Always Touched by Your) Presence, Dear," and album number three, Parallel Lines, released in late 1978, broke the band in the United States, thanks to the disco-influenced number "Heart of Glass," which became a number one single while the album was certified platinum. Blondie followed it up with two more platinum LPs, 1979's Eat to the Beat and 1980's Autoamerican, as the group became worldwide stars.
While Blondie had become a mainstream success, Harry was eager to expand her creative horizons, and in 1981 she released her first solo album, Koo Koo. While the album gathered plenty of media attention, the material wasn't as strong or accessible as Blondie's best work, and sales were disappointing. Blondie returned in 1982 with The Hunter, but the album and subsequent concert tour were poorly received, and the group quietly broke up.
After the split, Harry retreated from the spotlight, taking a five-year break from music. She returned to the recording studio in 1986, releasing her second solo effort, Rockbird. As well as her solo stuff, Harry worked with a number of artists during the late '80s and early '90s, keeping busy, and in the spotlight.
In 1999 Blondie reunited for an album, No Exit, and released another studio effort in 2004, The Curse of Blondie. Harry resurrected her solo career for 2007's Necessary Evil, an eclectic effort that found her dabbling in hip-hop, electronica, jazz, and idiosyncratic rock. They have since released material and toured globally. Harry and her band's popularity never waned.
Looking through the history books, it is clear that Debbie Harry is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential rock frontwomen to have ever graced a stage. Without rock's most famous blonde bombshell, there would be no Hayley Williams, no Gwen Stefani, and many other electrifying rock frontwomen. They owe much of their success to the legacy created by Debbie Harry.
Debbie Harry.
Born in sunny Miami, Florida, and raised by adopted parents, Debbie Harry always had an interest in music growing up. In the late '60s, Harry had brief (and unsuccessful) spells with folk-rock and funk-rock bands, before co-forming the group, Angel & the Snake - and in time the group would adopt the name Blondie, after a common catcall Harry received after she began dying her naturally brown hair blonde.
Blondie arrived on the New York City rock scene as a new sound and style was emerging from New York's Bowery, dubbed "punk" or "new wave" by the press, as new bands with an intelligent but nervy approach were making a noise at a club called CBGB. Blondie became regular performers at the club, and while their angular retro-'60s sound was far from what was making the rounds on mainstream radio, their songs were catchy, the band was energetic, and Harry was a strong, engaging vocalist that the camera liked.
Blondie became one of the first of the CBGB bands to land a record deal, signing with Private Stock Records and releasing their self-titled debut album in 1976. The album didn't sell very well, but it made enough noise to attract the attention of Chrysalis Records, a larger and better established label who bought out Blondie's contract. Their second album, 1978's Plastic Letters, became a success in Europe and the UK, thanks to a pair of successful singles, "Denis" and "(I'm Always Touched by Your) Presence, Dear," and album number three, Parallel Lines, released in late 1978, broke the band in the United States, thanks to the disco-influenced number "Heart of Glass," which became a number one single while the album was certified platinum. Blondie followed it up with two more platinum LPs, 1979's Eat to the Beat and 1980's Autoamerican, as the group became worldwide stars.
While Blondie had become a mainstream success, Harry was eager to expand her creative horizons, and in 1981 she released her first solo album, Koo Koo. While the album gathered plenty of media attention, the material wasn't as strong or accessible as Blondie's best work, and sales were disappointing. Blondie returned in 1982 with The Hunter, but the album and subsequent concert tour were poorly received, and the group quietly broke up.
After the split, Harry retreated from the spotlight, taking a five-year break from music. She returned to the recording studio in 1986, releasing her second solo effort, Rockbird. As well as her solo stuff, Harry worked with a number of artists during the late '80s and early '90s, keeping busy, and in the spotlight.
In 1999 Blondie reunited for an album, No Exit, and released another studio effort in 2004, The Curse of Blondie. Harry resurrected her solo career for 2007's Necessary Evil, an eclectic effort that found her dabbling in hip-hop, electronica, jazz, and idiosyncratic rock. They have since released material and toured globally. Harry and her band's popularity never waned.
Looking through the history books, it is clear that Debbie Harry is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential rock frontwomen to have ever graced a stage. Without rock's most famous blonde bombshell, there would be no Hayley Williams, no Gwen Stefani, and many other electrifying rock frontwomen. They owe much of their success to the legacy created by Debbie Harry.
No comments:
Post a Comment