Debbie Harry at 70: The Diva Talks Rock vs. EDM and Four Decades of Blondie

Last year, Blondie’s Debbie Harry (who, incredibly, turns 70 today) made headlines when she made a surprise appearance with Arcade Fire during the first weekend of Coachella. Harry joined the band on a mash-up of Blondie’s 1978 hit “Heart of Glass” and Arcade Fire’s “Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains),” from its 2010 album The Suburbs.

The collaboration was notable on a couple fronts. First, many saw it as a passing of the torch from Blondie to Arcade Fire, one of the most high-profile rock acts that’s straddling the line between rock and dance music. Secondly, it occurred at the festival where some had noted a seismic shift. There were several reports that EDM acts were generating more excitement and enthusiasm than the veteran rock and hip-hop acts performing on the festival’s main stages.


When we spoke to Harry about Blondie’s recent 40th anniversary and the band’s latest album, two-disc set Blondie 4(0) Ever, we asked her about how her collaboration with Arcade Fire came about and what she makes of the ongoing relationship between rock and dance music. By the way, Blondie continues to explore dance grooves. Ghosts of Download, the new album included with Blondie 4(0) Ever, features “Mile High,” the band’s foray into EDM with DJ Hector Fonseca.

As for joining the Arcade Fire at Coachella, Harry says the idea came from a mash-up originally posted by the Hood Internet around the time The Suburbs was released. Then, as Harry explains, the Arcade Fire’s manager caught a Blondie live performance. “He saw us at the Amnesty [International] show and he really enjoyed the performance, so it just kind of clicked in his head that they might be interested and they were,” Harry says.

While Harry enjoyed performing with Arcade Fire, she admits it was a challenge. “It’s a much different experience to be a guest artist and work with a band that size,” she says. “It was a bit of a challenge, honestly.”

With hits like “Heart of Glass,” and later “Atomic” and “Call Me,” which the band re-recorded on the Deluxe Redux: Greatest Hits portion of Blondie 4(0) Ever, the band helped bridge the gap from CBGB to Studio 54 by taking rock energy and punk attitude to the dance floor. When we note Blondie’s significance in this movement, Harry acknowledges the band’s role. “For better or for worse, we did,” she says. “I think that’s the way we sort of grew up in our scene in New York. The crossover thing was really a very creative move at the time. It seems sort of like a done deal now.”

As for the current crop of EDM artists, Harry has mixed feelings about them. “Somebody like Calvin Harris, who has written and produced so many great songs, coming up there and playing live, I feel like there’s some validity to that. It’s not like he’s just playing somebody else’s music. It’s him,” she says. “I personally like seeing a live performance. I love Outkast. It’s just more people hear those songs [that EDM artists are spinning] that are really available on radio. Everyone goes to clubs. Rock is a little more specific. There aren’t really rock clubs where people go and dance to rock music. It’s a sign of the times, but I don’t know if it’s going to stay that way. I love dancing to rock music.”

As for Coachella in general, Harry is a fan. “I love Coachella,” she says. “Coachella is amazing. There was so many great bands there. I was a little disappointed I didn’t get to see more. I think it’s one of the best festivals in the States, perhaps in the world. It’s a really great festival.”

Goldenvoice, take note. You might have yourself a veteran act for Coachella 2016 that can bridge the gap between the rock and the dance scenes.

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