If get this right, there will be many cover versions by future bands. I shall try and link live versions if they exist from the tellybox or a film, the sound quality may not be the best, but there is nothing like watching a real talent live.
So, in a sort of chronological order, my nineteenth legends are Blondie
Blondie is an American rock band co-founded by singer Debbie Harry and guitarist Chris Stein. The band was a pioneer in the American new wave scene of the mid-1970s in New York. Their first two albums contained strong elements of these genres, and although highly successful in the United Kingdom and Australia, Blondie was regarded as an underground band in the United States until the release of Parallel Lines in 1978. Over the next five years, the band achieved several hit singles including “Heart of Glass“, “Call Me“, “Atomic“, “The Tide Is High“, and “Rapture”. The band became noted for its eclectic mix of musical styles, incorporating elements of disco, pop, reggae, and early rap music.
Blondie disbanded after the release of its sixth studio album, The Hunter, in 1982. Debbie Harry continued to pursue a solo career with varied results after taking a few years off to care for partner Chris Stein, who was diagnosed with pemphigus, a rare autoimmune disease of the skin. The band re-formed in 1997, achieving renewed success and a number one single in the United Kingdom with “Maria” in 1999, exactly 20 years after their first UK No. 1 single (“Heart of Glass“).
The group toured and performed throughout the world during the following years, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006. Blondie has sold around 40 million records worldwide and is still active. The band’s eleventh studio album, Pollinator, was released on the 5th May 2017.
Chris Stein joined the Stilettoes in 1973 as their guitarist and formed a romantic relationship with one of the band’s vocalists, Debbie Harry, a former waitress and Playboy Bunny. Harry had been a member of a folk-rock band, the Wind in the Willows, in the late 1960s. In July 1974, Stein and Harry parted ways with the Stilettoes and Elda Gentile, the band’s originator, forming a new band with ex-Stilettoes bandmates Billy O’Connor (drums) and Fred Smith (bass). Originally billed as Angel and the Snake for two shows in August 1974, they renamed themselves Blondie by October 1974. The name derived from comments made by truck drivers who catcalled “Hey, Blondie” to Harry as they drove past.
A full list of their songs is here: Discography – Blondie
The featured song “Heart of Glass“, is a firm favourite of mine. Although some critics condemned Blondie for “selling out” ” by dabbling in disco, the song “Heart of Glass” became a monumental worldwide success and became one of the biggest selling singles of 1979. The music video showcased Harry’s hard-edged and playfully sexual character, as well as her famously stiff, marginally disinterested persona. She began to attain a celebrity status that set her apart from the other band members, who were largely ignored by the media
Denis – Live On Top Of The Pops
(I’m Always Touched By Your) Presence Dear (live) – I am always pleased to find something from the Old Grey Whistle Test. This is from 1978. Superb.
Atomic at Glastonbury in 2014, still stunning and great music.
I’m Gonna Love You Too – Top of the Pops from 1979
Hanging On The Telephone – This is live in concert in 2018. Please bear in mind this was 73 with no backing singers. Not the best version ever (here is a better one: Hanging on the Telephone) The 2018 one just to show she can still perform.
Sunday girl – A 1979 Top of The Pops
One Way Or Another – From a Countdown show 1979 (not our Countdown, Dutch program I think).
Union City Blues – Live at the Apollo from 1979
Call Me – from Later… with Jools Holland in 2017
Heroes – Could not find a decent quality live video, but I think they show due respect for this Bowie classic.
The Tide Is High – From a 1981 TV show.
Rapture – 1981 official video.
Maria – Official promo video from, 2016, their great comeback song, Debbie would have been 71. Unbelievable, but true.
I think apart from the featured song, my favourite is this:
Dreaming – I have selected their official video for quality purposes. Nothing at all to do with the blue dress she is wearing. Super song.
Singalong, enjoy and be happy!
Links to previous Legend articles:
Featured Image: “Blondie” by kevin dooley is licensed under CC BY 2.0
© Phil the ex test manager 2021