Let’s all wish a very happy 80th birthday to Debbie Harry, the iconic frontwoman of the legendary and influential New Wave band Blondie.
Videos by American Songwriter
Harry, who was born on July 1, 1945, was one of the most dynamic performers to emerge from 1970s New York City punk-rock scene that centered around the famous club CBGB. Along with guitarist and one-time romantic partner Chris Stein, Debbie also was a key songwriting contributor to Blondie. Among the classic tunes she co-wrote for the band were “One Way or Another,” “Dreaming,” “Call Me,” and the chart-toppers “Heart of Glass” and “Rapture.”
[RELATED: 4 Iconic Collaborations Featuring Blondie’s Debbie Harry in Honor of Her 79th Birthday]
“Rapture” is particularly significant because it was the first song featuring rap vocals to top the Billboard Hot 100.
Beyond her musical talents, Harry became a fashion icon during the late 1970s, and also launched a semi-successful acting career.
Blondie broke up in 1982, and over the next 15 years, Harry released several solo albums. The band reunited in 1997, and has continued touring and recording ever since. Debbie also has collaborated with a variety of other artists throughout her career.
In 2006, she was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Blondie.
Blondie’s social media pages posted a message to Harry that reads, “Happy Birthday, Debbie. Your voice, vision, and brilliance continue to light up the world. Thank you for inspiring generations with your music, style, and fearless spirit.”
In honor of Harry’s milestone birthday, here are four outstanding performances from various periods of Blondie’s storied history:
“One Way or Another” – The Midnight Special (1979)
Blondie rocked out on an episode of the popular performance series The Midnight Special that aired in January 1979. At the time, the band was promoting its third studio album, Parallel Lines, which was released in September 1978.
One of the highlights of Blondie’s appearance was a gritty and inspired version of “One Way or Another.” The punky song was one of the group’s follow-ups to Blondie’s disco-influenced No. 1 hit “Heart of Glass.”
Harry commanded the stage in a black mini-dress and thigh-high leather boots as she growled the tune’s lyrics about an obsessive stalker. “One Way or Another” went on to reach No. 24 on the Hot 100.
“Dreaming” – Saturday Night Live (1979)
Blondie appeared on Saturday Night Live in October 1979, a month after the band released its fourth album, Eat to the Beat.
For their first song, the band played a revved-up version of the album’s lead single, “Dreaming.” Clad in a moss-green leather jumpsuit, Harry delivered a nearly note-perfect rendition of the melodic, power-pop gem. Meanwhile, drummer Clem Burke channeled the frenetic style of The Who’s Keith Moon behind her.
“Dreaming” peaked at No. 27 on the Hot 100.
“Call Me” – Glastonbury Festival (1999)
After Blondie reunited in the late 1990s, the band released the hit album No Exit in early ’99. In June of that year, Blondie gave its first-ever performance at the U.K.’s famed Glastonbury Festival.
In front of a massive crowd, the group kicked off its set with a version of its chart-topping 1980 hit “Call Me.” Harry, wearing a vivid-red dress and matching floral hat, belted out the tune with bravado and power. She ended the performance by dancing around the stage with abandon.
“Heart of Glass” – Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony (2006)
Blondie’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame took place at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel in New York City in March 2006.
During the ceremony, some awkward moments occurred when ex-members Frank Infante and Nigel Harrison griped about not being invited to perform with the band at the event.
The performance itself went more smoothly, with Blondie’s current lineup joined by former keyboardist Jimmy Destri. The group played renditions of three of their best-known tunes—“Rapture,” “Call Me,” and “Heart of Glass.”
Harry exuded limitless cool as she crooned the grooving disco/New Wave classic “Heart of Glass” to end the set.
(Photo by Stuart Westwood/Shutterstock)
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