Debbie Harry, the 77-year-old platinum-haired chanteuse, is gearing up to perform at next week’s Glastonbury Festival in Somerset, England. Alongside her longtime band, Blondie, Harry is unstoppable and continues to play music and be creative. In an interview with The Times of London, she expressed her belief that this is the essence of it all. Having fronted Blondie since 1974, except for a 15-year hiatus between 1982 and 1997, Harry is no stranger to Glastonbury, having played the festival twice before in 1999 and 2014.
Reflecting on her first show at the festival, Harry fondly recalls wearing an Elsa Schiaparelli hat, adorned with red flowers on a straw bucket. She thought she looked chic and was quite happy with her choice. Additionally, Harry shared a memorable punk-rock moment when her bandmates broke into Stonehenge during one of their Glastonbury visits. While they were excited and climbed over the fence to touch the stones, Harry opted not to join in on the fence-climbing adventure.
Apart from her Glastonbury performances, Harry became an integral part of New York City’s gritty music scene in the 1970s. She frequented legendary clubs like Max’s Kansas City and CBGB, describing the latter as a place filled with rubbish, rats, garbage soaked in urine, and broken glass. In her memoir “Face It,” she vividly recalls the unique smell of the club—a combination of stale beer, cigarette smoke, dog waste, and body odor. Despite the less than glamorous environment, Harry values the authenticity and intimacy of performing in such venues. She reminisces about performing on stage at CBGB, fully immersed in the experience, and knowing that only a select few would witness it firsthand.
Harry isn’t criticizing today’s technology-driven world but rather highlighting the stark contrast between the past and present. She acknowledges the benefits of technology but questions the value of everyone having an opinion, with some opinions being insignificant. As a longtime resident of New York City, she admits her feelings towards the city have changed, and she now enjoys the privacy of living in New Jersey while still spending time in the city.
Harry’s journey hasn’t been without challenges. She and her Blondie co-founder, Chris Stein, endured her heroin addiction and his battle with autoimmune disease, which resulted in mounting medical bills, substantial tax debts, and the loss of their home. Reflecting on those difficult years, Harry describes it as a challenging period of her life, but also acknowledges the valuable lessons learned. She expresses gratitude for both surviving those tribulations, recognizing that life often leaves its mark on everyone.
Following Blondie’s Glastonbury performance, the band will open for Harry’s old friend and fellow punk legend, Iggy Pop, at Dog Day Afternoon in London on July 1. Harry admires Pop’s punk spirit and acknowledges that he excels in that realm.
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