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Debbie Harry; singer, songwriter and actress celebrates her 80th birthday today: 1st July 2025.
Debbie Harry
For me, Debbie Harry was the epitome of a band’s lead singer. I first stumbled across her band – Blondie – in 1978 whilst still at college. It would have been my second year at college and it was on day release, meaning that I had to attend (proper) work for four days a week, whilst I spent one whole day and one evening at college.
College was where I discovered Jean-Michel Jarre, through the boredom of waiting for a bus in 1976. (It was a serendipitous discovery, as I am still a fan of his today.) I discovered his music all on my own; this wasn’t the case with Blondie.
Blondie
I’d seen Blondie on Top of the Pops from February 1978. And I’d seen Debbie Harry. It would be fair to say that I liked both what I saw and what I heard: the track at the time was “Denis” and it had the right blend of synth, drums and guitar. And who the hell was that drum player? He was outstanding!
Blondie followed up “Denis” with “(I’m Always Touched By Your) Presence Dear” and “Picture This”, appearing several times on Top of the Pops throughout 1978.
Parallel Lines
On to October 1978. I would have just started my third year in college (on day release, of course) and was sat ready to start a mathematics class on a Friday afternoon. One of the lads in my class had been into town during the lunch break and had brought back a new record. It was Parallel Lines.
The record was passed around the class, completely disregarding the poor lecturer, who was desperately trying to teach us some quadratic equations. We were having none of that and spent a fair while discussing the album.
I bought the album that night. Along with quite a few of us from the class. Sadly, I didn’t have the foresight to buy it as a record, I bought the cassette. But I played the hell out of it. This was the album that brought us “Heart of Glass”: my favourite Blondie track and one of my top 10 favourite tracks by anyone, ever.
I’m in love with an American singer
Me and millions of others, that is. We all loved Debbie Harry. Her looks, her fashion, her voice. There was – and still is – nothing not to love about Debbie Harry.
As she gambols past her 80th lap around the sun, I think she’s safe in the knowledge that she’s had a successful career. Not only as singer and songwriter with Blondie (and let’s not forget her own solo career) but also as an actor.
I’ve been in love with her and a fan of Blondie for 47 years… so far.
Happy Birthday Debbie.
