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Debbie Harry can’t imagine returning to the stage as Blondie after the death of founding drummer Clem Burke in April.
She discussed the state of Blondie and her lengthy career in a new interview with Vanity Fair. When asked what she’s been most proud of from her career so far, Harry humbly named working with Burke and fellow founding member Chris Stein — who has not toured with Blondie since 2019 due to health issues — at the top of her list.
“Keeping a rock band together for 50 years was like a marriage, and it’s sad that with Clem’s passing and without having Chris onstage, I can’t see myself being onstage as Blondie, even though I am the face of Blondie,” Harry said. “But I’m proud of the music, and I would still like to do music.”
Before Burke’s death, Blondie was in the midst of completing a new album, which was produced by John Congleton and is still set to arrive in the fall; beyond that, Harry is looking forward to a time of resetting and remembrance. “I ran into a wall: the tour ended, Clem died, and wow. What is this space I live in now?,” Harry said. “I’m curing – I’m doing a cure. And part of that is de-cluttering up my space, which is crowded with that life. I need to get some breath, get some air in there.”
Elsewhere in her chat with Vanity Fair, Harry discusses her punk-centric early career days at CBGB’s, how David Bowie once (impolitely) hit on her, Blondie’s financial struggles, breakup, and ensuing reunion in the late ’90s, and much more. Read the full interview here.
Revisit Debbie Harry and Chris Stein’s 2021 appearance on The Story Behind the Song, where the pair discuss the making of Blondie’s 1981 hit “Rapture.”
English (US) · 