This article was originally published in Barry L. Kramer's
Fan Mail fanzine, issue #12, April 1991. It also was later featured
in edited form in Harper's magazine in 1991.--Ed.
Deborah Harry
Chris Stein
City Gardens, Trenton, New Jersey, May 22, 1994
Credit: Joe Ryan Photography
A most interesting event occurred this past week! I met a gentleman who is a musician, about 60 years old, very worldly and talks a lot. I met him at Sam Snead's Tavern where I work and he comes in now to have a few drinks after playing in this resort hotel here in town. He gave me a photo of himself next to the Sphinx after seeing my Egyptian tattoo (an eye) which is on my upper right shoulder. Anyway, no matter where I've been, he's been there. He seems to be full of shit most of the time, and he is bothersome. His name is Frank. Frank Bittles. And, one day, he's talking about musicians. He's going on and on about old writers and songs.
I thought I'd add one he'd know. Cole Porter. "Oh sure."
Of course he did. I told him about current artists doing his songs. He
knew about that too! I said my favorite artist was on the remake CD...I
told him Debbie Harry...you probably wouldn't know her...Blondie. He says,
"you know what? I do know her! You know how I know her? I know her parents
from when I used to play up in Cooperstown."....