Blondie (band)
American new wave pioneers from the CBGB scene.
The band were considered pioneers in the new wave genre from the CBGB scene of the mid-1970s, and drew notability for its eclectic mixture of musical styles, incorporating elements of punk, disco, pop, reggae, funk and early hip hop music. Although the band's first two albums were successful in the UK and Australia, Blondie was regarded as an underground band in the US until the release of their critically acclaimed third album Parallel Lines (1978).
- origin
- New York City, United States
- genre
- New wave, punk, disco, pop, reggae, funk, early hip hop
- key_members
- Debbie Harry, Chris Stein, Clem Burke, Jimmy Destri
- notable_albums
- Parallel Lines (1978), No Exit (1999), Pollinator (2017)
- record_sales
- Over 40 million records worldwide
- hall_of_fame
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (2006)
Lore & Background
Inspired by the burgeoning new music scene at the Mercer Arts Center in Manhattan, musician Chris Stein sought to join a similar band. The new name derived from comments made by truck drivers who catcalled 'Hey, Blondie' to Harry as they drove past. Neither was initially a commercial success. The single reached number two in Australia.
Reader's Guide
Blondie's significance lies in their role as pioneers of the new wave genre, emerging from the CBGB scene and blending punk, disco, pop, reggae, funk, and early hip hop. Their third album, Parallel Lines (1978), broke them into the American market and became their most successful album, selling 20 million copies worldwide. The band released a string of hit singles including 'Heart of Glass', 'Call Me', 'The Tide Is High', and 'Rapture', each reaching number one in the US. Blondie disbanded after 1982's The Hunter, but re-formed in 1997, achieving renewed success with their seventh album No Exit (1999) and the UK number one single 'Maria'. The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006 and has sold over 40 million records worldwide.
Did You Know?
- Blondie's name came from truck drivers who catcalled 'Hey, Blondie' to Debbie Harry.
- The band's first commercial success in Australia was due to a mistaken playing of the B-side 'In the Flesh' on the TV show Countdown.
- Blondie's sixth number one single in the UK, 'Maria', came exactly 20 years after their first UK number one, 'Heart of Glass'.
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