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Three questions with Debbie Harry...
June 7, 2007
by Spencer Patterson
Catching up with the New Wave icon as she prepares for the Vegas kickoff of the first True Colors Tour, set to raise money for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender organization the Human Rights Campaign.
You’ve always maintained a fiercely loyal gay following. Do you think part of that is a product of your openness in talking about your own sexuality over the years?
Probably, and I think that my subject matter lyrically also lends itself to a certain kitschiness, and coming from the New York underground ... I think it’s all of those things combined. Plus the imagery—the blond imagery—I think is very much a linchpin in the gay world and, you know, the drag queens. And I think there’s always been a relationship between a male gay audience and female performers.
Word is that you won’t be performing any Blondie songs on this tour. True? And if so, what kind of reaction do you expect when pleas for “Rapture” and “Heart of Glass” go unanswered?
Absolutely [true]. I’ve put together a new trio with no Blondie members in it—I really want to make a clear definition between Debbie’s solo projects and Blondie—and I hope that the audience can appreciate that and also appreciate this other material. There are some good songs from my earlier solo records, and we’ll be doing some of the stuff from [new album] Necessary Evil. If people really want to hear Blondie, then we’ll have to do another Blondie tour.
Your Hall of Fame induction might best be remembered for your verbal slap-down of an ex-member who tried to crash your performance. Did you expect that to happen or was that totally in-the-moment?
We were told by the organizers that it would be handled a little bit differently than the way it was, but knowing the nature of rock ’n’ roll you’ve gotta be ready. In a way it was sorta good showmanship to have some excitement and to have some controversy. But many, many bands face that dilemma when they get to that stage, because keeping bands together is extremely difficult—people grow their separate ways and there’s hostility and anger and frustration, from The Beatles all the way down to little ol’ Blondie. I think I handled it as best I could, but it was an awkward situation.
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Reader Discussion
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She's been touring for the last 10 years doing Blondie material. I think if she wants to perform her solo material on a BENEFIT tour she should be allowed to do whatever she wants! You can't seperate her from Blondie which is why all her fans will be thrilled to see her on the tour. If at 62 she's worried about alienating people, then she hasn't learned anything. Give a gal some respect!
Chris Young on Sunday, 17-06-07 18:03
To expect her to keep that Blondie image forever is just silly. I think Debbie herself knows very well that the Blondie connection has served her very well over the decades but as a true artist she should be able to present herself in any way she wants. She has already established herself as an individual performer with many solo projects outside of Blondie for over 25 years now and the new solo album is her 6th to date. Don't you think someone with 6 solo albums deserves to market herself as a solo artist? Either way, you're still getting Debbie Harry and that is good enough for most.
dan on Sunday, 17-06-07 14:13
I think Deborah has every right to do a full solo tour. I am sick of hearing all the old Blondie songs and it has been my dream to see her perform solo. She has a great catalouge of solo material like the hits I Want That Man, French Kissin', In Love With Love, Sweet And Low, Liar Liar and so on. Do we really need to hear heart of glass again?
Samm De Lorenzo on Friday, 15-06-07 07:32
I'm really excited to hear Debbie's new CD and I think she is brave to go out on tour without Blondie and debut new material. In a way Deborah is capturing the spirit of what the True Colors Tour is all about i.e. having the courage to be yourself in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. I think if she can communicate with the audience somehow that this is her intention, and her own "coming out party" she'll have the crowd in the palm of her hands. If you want Blondie....go see the next Blondie tour. If you want Debbie Harry come see the True Colors Tour.
Angel Ibrahim on Friday, 15-06-07 04:04
I totally get why Debbie wants to keep a different identity from Blondie. sure, I would love to hear "The hardest Part,""X-Offender," "Look Good in Blue" and all the other hits, but I totally respect the fact she is promoting a new album. I also hope she play some stuff off of KooKoo and Rockbird.
Johnny Burke on Friday, 15-06-07 01:33
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