Debbie Harry, the tireless 77-year-old music icon with her signature platinum hair, is set to conquer the stage again at the upcoming Glastonbury Festival in Somerset, England, alongside her long-standing band, Blondie. Reflecting on her enduring career, Harry shared her excitement with The Times of London, emphasizing her continued joy in making music and nurturing her creative spirit.
Having fronted Blondie since 1974, apart from a 15-year hiatus between 1982 and 1997, Harry will grace the Glastonbury stage for the third time on Sunday, performing between Yusuf/Cat Stevens and Lil Nas X. Fondly reminiscing about her initial show at the festival, Harry nostalgically recalled donning an Elsa Schiaparelli hat adorned with red flowers on a straw bucket, feeling exceptionally chic and thrilled about the experience.
Punk Rock at Stonehenge: Debbie's Glastonbury Memories
Among the cherished memories of previous Glastonbury trips, Harry recalled a particularly punk-rock moment when her bandmates defiantly trespassed onto the grounds of Stonehenge.
Although the boys eagerly climbed over the fence to touch the iconic stones, Harry chose to stay behind, opting out of the daring escapade. These tales from her extensive music career resonate deeply with the artist, who became integral to New York City's gritty music scene in the 1970s, frequently gracing the stages of renowned clubs like Max's Kansas City and CBGB.
In her memoir "Face It," published in 2019, Harry vividly described the ambiance of those legendary clubs, emphasizing the dingy alleys strewn with rubbish, rats, and broken glass. She recalled the unique olfactory concoction of stale beer, cigarette smoke, dog excrement, and body odor permeating the venue's air.
While reflecting on those raw and intimate performances, Harry highlighted the stark contrast to the current age of relentless social media exposure, expressing her gratitude for the opportunity to learn and grow as a performer without the constant scrutiny of an ever-watchful online audience.
While acknowledging the benefits of modern technology, Harry revealed her concerns about the overwhelming presence of opinions in today's world, noting that not all viewpoints hold substantial value. Nowadays, she splits her time between New York City and New Jersey, cherishing the privacy she finds in the latter.
However, she emphasized her enduring connection to the city. She recently visited her longtime guitarist and Blondie co-founder, Chris Stein, with whom she has weathered personal and professional storms. Overcoming addiction and health challenges, Harry and Stein faced financial struggles, including substantial medical bills and unpaid taxes, ultimately losing their home.
Reflecting on those difficult years, she described the experience as challenging and educational, expressing gratitude for their survival. Following Blondie's performance at Glastonbury, the band will be honored to open for Iggy Pop, a close friend, and fellow punk legend, at Dog Day Afternoon in London on July 1.
Sharing her admiration for Iggy Pop's punk credentials, Harry playfully mused that he had surpassed her in punk greatness. As she prepares to retake the stage, Debbie Harry is an indomitable figure in the music industry, radiating an unwavering passion for creativity and an enduring spirit that has transcended time.