Blondie

Formed in 1974 in New York by lead singer Debbie Harry and guitarist Chris Stein, Blondie became one of the leading acts on the American punk and new wave scenes. Associated with legendary clubs like CBGB, the band forged a distinctive identity by blending rock and pop with elements of disco, reggae, rap, and electronic music. Drummer Clem Burke and keyboardist Jimmy Destri, who joined in 1975, were also instrumental in solidifying the group’s sound.

Their first albums, Blondie (1976) and Plastic Letters (1978), paved the way for international recognition — initially most significant in Australia and the United Kingdom. Their breakthrough in the United States came with their third album, Parallel Lines (1978). Produced by Mike Chapman and propelled by the massive hit “Heart of Glass,” the album became the band’s defining work, also featuring iconic tracks such as “Hanging on the Telephone,” “One Way or Another,” and “Sunday Girl.” According to the group’s official biography, the album surpassed 20 million copies sold worldwide.

Next, Blondie released Eat to the Beat (1979), featuring “Dreaming” and “Atomic,” and "Autoamerican" (1980), highlighted by the hits “The Tide Is High” and “Rapture.” During that same period, the band reached the top of the charts with “Call Me,” recorded in collaboration with Giorgio Moroder for the soundtrack of the film American Gigolo (1980). These releases reaffirmed the group’s ability to move across multiple genres and connect with a wide audience.

In 1982, the group released The Hunter, which received a less favorable commercial reception than their previous works. Faced with strained internal relationships and the difficulties they were experiencing at the time, the band announced the end of their activities in November of that same year.

Harry and Stein began planning the band’s comeback in 1996, culminating in their return to the stage the following year. This reunion led to the album No Exit, released in February 1999 and propelled by the single “Maria,” which reached the top of the British charts. The group continued its discography with The Curse of Blondie (2003) and Panic of Girls (2011). Jimmy Destri left the band in 2004, while Harry, Stein, and Burke remained as the group’s original core members. In 2006, Blondie was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

To celebrate four decades of their career, the band released the double album Blondie 4(0) Ever in 2014. The release combined Greatest Hits Deluxe Redux — featuring re-recordings of 11 of their greatest classics—and Ghosts of Download, their tenth studio album. In 2017, they released Pollinator, their eleventh original album, featuring collaborations with artists such as Johnny Marr, Sia, Charli XCX, and Dave Sitek (TV on the Radio).

In April 2025, Clem Burke passed away at the age of 70 due to cancer. The legendary drummer’s work is featured on High Noon, Blondie’s twelfth studio album, announced in October 2026 and scheduled for release on February 26, 2027, on the BMG label. Produced by John Congleton, the album features Burke’s final recordings with the group, with “Spectral Eyes”—written by Johnny Marr, who also plays guitar on the track — serving as the first single.