It was revealed earlier this month that iconic 70s band Blondie are to receive this years prestigious NME Godlike Genius award.
The Band, which was founded by Lead singer, Debbie Harry and lead guitarist Chris Stein, were at the forefront of the American punk and new wave scene in the mid 70s.
Blondie’s debut album, Blondie, was first issued in 1976, then re released in October 1977 after the band bought back their contract from Private Stock and signed with Chrysalis Records.
The album charted in both the USA and UK.
Their second album, Plastic Letters, reached number 10 in the UK charts. whilst their third album, Parallel Lines, released in September 1978, reached number 1 in UK and 10 in the US, with single Heart Of Glass selling a staggering 20 million copies worldwide.
Fourth album, Eat to the Beat, whilst containing Grammy Nominated single Call Me and reaching number 1 in the UK chart, was not as commercially successful as Parallel Lines.
The band released another studio album, Automamerican in 1980. before taking a short break to work on solo projects.
In 1981 they reunited to record sixth album The Hunter, but by 1983 pressures within the band and the onset of Chris Stein’s life threatening diagnosis of pemphigus, a rare autoimmune disease caused an acrimonious spit, which resulted both him, and partner Debbie Harry, stepping out of the line light.
After the split, Debbie persued a moderately succesful solo career, but in 1997 the original five piece band reformed for three live performances, and eventually recorded another album, No Exit, in 1999. It reached number 3 in the UK charts, with single, Maria, becoming the bands 6th number 1 single.
But sadly, their follow up album, The Curse of Blondie, released in 2003, was their lowest selling album of all time, and only managed to make it to number 36 in the charts.
Undaunted, Blondie are set to celebrate their 40th anniversay this year, with the release of a new album, entitled Ghosts Of The Download. As well as new songs, the album will contain some rerecorded and remixed version of some classic Blondie hits.
Blondie will receive the honorary “Godlike Genius” award at the O2 Academy, Brixton on Wednesday 26th Febuary.
