Blondie dispute Debbie Harry retirement rumours
"Don’t believe everything you read," state band amid speculation over their future
nme.com
By David Renshaw – 30th July 2013
Blondie have denied rumours that Debbie Harry is considering retirement following comments made by drummer Clem Burke this week.
Burke was quoted as saying that he thought Harry may be considering bringing the band to an end after 40 years, saying: “Debbie is 11 years older than the rest of us, so it’s on her mind. We’ve tried to keep it going for as long as possible, but it’s not just up to me. Nothing is finalised yet, but obviously there’s no Blondie without Debbie Harry.” His comments were backed by a spokesperson for the band who said: “They are in a hiatus at the moment. They will do some tour dates next year. Nothing is confirmed yet.”
However, a message posted on the Blondie Facebook page last night (July 29) calmed the situation, stating that the band were not going anywhere and that Debbie Harry has no immediate plans to retire. “No plans to stop working, don’t believe everything you read,” reads the message.
Blondie completed an extensive UK tour earlier this month (July), including a set at Isle Of Wight Festival, and have a run of North American dates scheduled during September and October. The band are due to release a new album called ‘Ghosts Of Download’ later this year and the lead single, ‘A Rose By Any Name’, which features Gossip singer Beth Ditto, was released on iTunes last month.
The legendary band formed in New York in 1974 and went on hiatus eight years later, shortly after the release of their sixth album ‘The Hunter’. Since reforming in 1997, the band have toured regularly and released three studio albums: ‘No Exit’ (1999), ‘The Curse Of Blondie’ (2003) and ‘Panic Of Girls’ (2011).
