Observations on Blondie’s European tour, Fall 1998, and more specifically, a memorable stop on that tour, the Barrowland Ballroom, Glasgow, Scotland, November 19, 1998; Blondie’s pervasive musical influence–Ed.

Blondie is back, 16 years after it self-destructed. Jim Greer joins the band on the road, and finds a legend reborn....House lights dim, prompting a full-throated roar from the throng. In near darkness, we can just see several shadowy figures take the stage to the accompanyment of swelling orchestral music over the PA. The music stops. The music starts. A low-pitched, mid-tempo, powerful guitar-and-bass chug. The crowd shows its approval by means of a ratchet increase in volume. The stage lights flower, the drums explode into my chest, and
the keyboards take up the instantly-recognizable
melody to 'Dreaming.' Debbie Harry, resplendent...,
haloed in spotlight, makes her way leisurely from the
wings to arrive at the microphone just in time to sing
the opening lyrics: 'When I walked into the
restaurant/You could see I was no debutante'....
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Source: Gear magazine,
March/April 1999

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Barrowland Ballroom,
Glasgow, Scotland,
November, 19, 1998
Photo credit: Tommy & Jackie