HALL OF FAME FOCUS: BLONDIE
By Michael Paoletta
Blondie sure knows how to celebrate its 30th anniversary. On March 13, the legendary band -- along with the Sex Pistols, Black Sabbath, Miles Davis and Lynyrd Skynyrd --will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The timing could not be better. A new two-disc CD/DVD collection, "Greatest Hits: Sound & Vision," arrives March 7 via Capitol and the band will soon officially announce a major U.S. tour.
Throughout the years, Blondie has beautifully and lovingly blurred the lines between many genres of music, including punk, disco, new wave, rap and reggae -- with rock forming the group's sturdy foundation.
With the passage of time, Blondie has experienced changes in personnel. Billboard recently talked to longtime members Debbie Harry (vocals), Chris Stein (guitars) and Clem Burke (drums).
What does Blondie's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame mean to you?
Debbie Harry: I didn't think we would be. When we hadn't been inducted [around the same time as] the Ramones and the Talking Heads, I was like, "Oh, well." I told myself that it wasn't that important and that it doesn't make any difference. But being inducted has made me feel really good. Blondie did a lot of credible, groundbreaking work. To be recognized in this way makes it official.
Clem Burke: We were on a sold-out tour in the U.K. when we got the news. I was in an Internet cafe with my wife, checking my e-mail, and Yahoo [had it in] the news. My wife and I began screaming, and all these reserved English folk were looking at us, probably thinking, "Oh, those nutty Americans." But I was so happy. It legitimizes what Blondie did?and still does. But I'm not sure how punk rock it is to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Chris Stein: It's strange for me. Initially, I was a little ambivalent about it. But it seems to mean so much to other people, and so it started meaning more to me.
How important was the New York club CBGB to Blondie's early days?
Burke: Thanks to [owner] Hilly Kristal and CBGB, there was a platform for us.
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