I have known Debbie Harry since 1977. I first met her at the photographer Christopher Makos' apartment on the night of the great New York Blackout. We were sitting in a pitch black room. So I couldn't see her. But her partner in all things at that time, Chris Stein, and Debbie radiated an intense, focused energy. Their minds were so totally appropriate to their times that I had one of those "immediate" experiences. We became friends.
In 1979 they asked me if I would work with them on a book of Chris Stein's photographs. At the time I was working on Andy Warhol's book of photographs Exposures and my book on William Burroughs A Report from the Bunker. Their project fit perfectly between them. In fact, I attempted to begin work on their book in the style of my Burroughs book by arranging a dinner party with Andy Warhol and taping the conversation. But that was completely the wrong approach. It took us a while to figure out what was the right approach, but once we hit upon our target I had with them one of the very best collaborative experiences of my life....
When Debbie writes her autobiography, it will undoubtedly be an international No.1 blockbuster. Meanwhile, this book will stand as another worthwhile contribution to the literature of Blondie/Debbie Harry, and I hope you enjoy it. Above all, I hope it sends you back to the music, to the Best of Blondie.
Victor Bockris, New York, 2001.