Wednesday 1 July 2020

Un grand baiser d'eternite





Icon, inspiration, spokeswoman for a generation, Patron Saint, one of the most photogenic, most instantly-recognised stars to emerge from the era known as "New Wave" that followed the Punk explosion, Miss Debbie Harry is seventy-five years old today!

Isn't that the most terrifying concept?

As I have recounted many, many times over the thirteen-year history of this blog, I worshipped Debbie Harry as a teen. I bought everything the band ever did, right up until they went "weird" with The Hunter album [their last for fifteen years, as it turned out], and followed the great lady's career avidly for many years.

She was most definitely one of my all-time influences, who made me who I am today...

...and here (for me at least) is how it all started:


Facts:
  • Debbie Harry is naturally a redhead.
  • Her birth parents gave her up for adoption when their relationship broke up and her father went back to his wife and family.
  • As a child, she fantasised that her real mother was Marilyn Monroe.
  • It was while working as a "Playboy Bunny" that Debbie first met Chris Stein, with whom she was to have an enduring relationship, both personal and professional; as co-founders of the band that became Blondie.
  • The Ramones landed their first show by opening for Blondie (before they were Blondie) at CBGBs in New York.
  • Patti Smith resented Debbie Harry's early success so much she apparently tried to poach several of her Blondie band-members.
  • Fashion designer Stephen Sprouse began his career making Debs' stage costumes in the '70s and early 80s; he was her downstairs neighbour at the time.
  • She was the first choice for the role of "Pris" in Blade Runner, but the part eventually went to Daryl Hannah.
  • Blondie's song for the Bond film for Your Eyes Only was turned down, and the title number went to Sheena Easton.
  • Giorgio Moroder originally wanted to give Call Me to Stevie Nicks, but she was unable to record it for contractual reasons.
  • Debbie's solo hit French Kissin’ in the USA was written by Chuck Lorre, writer, director and producer of US sitcoms such as Cybill, Two and a Half Men and The Big Bang Theory.
  • In 2012 a group of photographers took her picture in New York, believing her to be Lindsay Lohan - she was 66 at the time; Lohan was just 25.

Many, many happy returns, Deborah Ann Harry (born Angela Trimble, 1st July 1945)

6 comments:

  1. SAY IT AIN'T SO! 75????? CAN'T BE!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ooh, that last point must have really stung LiLo (and created the biggest, smuggest grin on Ms Harry)!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. "Lilo Lil" Lohan must be used to people looking at her and thinking "what a worn-out old woman", surely?

      Debs looks miles better than many a "newer model", even at 75!

      Jx

      Delete
  3. All the best blondes used to be redheads!
    Oh how I wanted to look like Debbie Harry.
    Sx

    ReplyDelete

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