Blondie is an American rock band founded by singer Debbie Harry and guitarist Chris Stein…..as the band were pioneers in the early American new wave and punk scenes of the mid-late 1970’s and early 1980’s. Its first two albums contained strong elements of these genres….and although 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….when over the next three years….the band achieved several hit singles including “Heart of Glass”, “Call Me”, “Rapture” and “The Tide Is High”….while it 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….while 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….which is a rare autoimmune disease of the skin.
The band re-formed in 1997….while achieving renewed success….and a# 1 single in the United Kingdom with “Maria” in 1999….which was exactly 20 years after their first UK # 1 single “Heart of Glass”…..as 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….as Blondie has sold some 40 million records worldwide….and is still active today in 2020. The band’s tenth studio album, Ghosts of Download, was released in 2014….and their eleventh studio album, Pollinator, was released on 2017.
