Interview with Deborah Harry and Chris Stein. Topics
include American new wave, dance music, the New York City scene, fame and
its pitfalls, longevity in the music business, the commercialization of
rock, and the continuing influence of Blondie’s music.--Ed.
l to r: Chris Stein, Deborah Harry, Clem Burke, Paul Carbonara
Town Hall, New York City, February 23, 1999
Credit: Joe Ryan Photography
Blondie have always served as a needed reminder that you can catch more flies with honey than you can with vinegar. They were pop pranksters who made a marriage of image and content seem easy. From 1977 to 1982, Chris Stein and Debbie Harry were practically the poster kids for growing up in public, together going through boom and bust, sickness and health. In the glare of cheap flash bulbs. Sick of publicity, they nonetheless came back with their catchiest chorus, 'Call me, call me anytime.' Twenty years later, just as the reunited band are poised to step out with an all-new album titled No Exit, we did.
Deborah Harry, Madison Square Garden, June 10, 1999
Credit: Joe Ryan Photography
Blondie were always more into pure pop than a lot of other American new-wave bands. Did you take a lot of abuse for that?
Harry: No. I actually think there was a kind of mutual appreciation going on, where we had respect for each other's forces. The thing we shared was attitude, anti-social attitude. There wasn't really a lot of warring about musical inspiration. There was some healthy competition going on, but it wasn't about the music itself.
Stein: Everybody was trying to outdo each other, to have the best idea....
Chris Stein, Madison Square Garden, June 10, 1999
Credit: Joe Ryan Photography
Source: AP (Alternative
Press) Magazine, March 1999