Herald Sun

31 December 1998
Australian Newspaper

Blondie back in the flesh
By KIM WILSON, entertainment reporter
POP icons of the ’70s, Deborah Harry and Blondie return to the Australian stage tonight, ready to rock in the New Year.
Headlining the Falls festival at Lorne, Blondie is re-energised and ready to woo a new generation of fans.
The festival is a major drawcard for the tens of thousands who flock to the beach for New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Sultry 53-year-old Harry, guitarist Chris Stein, drummer Clem Burke and keyboard player Jimmy Destri are enjoying a revival of music from the ’70s and ’80s.
“It’s very satisfying to have people interested in us after all these years,” Harry said.
“We’re very excited about playing the Falls festival.
“New Year’s Eve is a symbolic night to play, symbolic of having a profitable year.”
The band says it is thrilled to be back in Melbourne after 17 years.
“We love it here,” Harry said.
“What we’d like to do is a whole world tour and end up here so we can spend some time because this time is really quick.
“It’s a good place to relax and have a good time.”
Blondie had six album and a string of international hit between 1974 and 1982, when it opted to separate.
Its biggest hits include In the Flesh, Call Me, Heart of Glass, Union City Blue and Atomic.
Harry collaborated with Stein and enjoyed a successful solo career with hits including French Kissing in the USA and I Want That Man.
The band decided to reform after a record company approached it about recording a best-of album.
It chose, instead, to record a new album, No Exit, to be released in February.