BEHIND THE BLONDE

Debbie Harry by Chris Stein

Blondie were a great band with an even better look. They were part of the NYC music scene as CBGBs and punk exploded. Chris Stein, musician, photographer and then boyfriend of singer, songwriter and punk rock babe, Debbie Harry were the creative force of the group.

To commemorate Blondie’s 40th anniversary, Chris Stein has produced a book containing previously unreleased photos of the band and the scene it grew out of entitled Chris Stein\Negative: Me, Blondie, and The Advent of Punk.

The book includes shots of many alumni of NYC punk circa 1975, David Byrne, Iggy Pop and Joan Jett appear. But, given Stein’s intimacy with the band and the blonde, it’s the shots of Debbie Harry that are the most powerful. These photos are by a young artist telling the story of his band. Many of Stien’s images were used as the band’s publicity shots making the covers of music mags. Punk DIY.

Kinda makes you wanna slam dance.

Starting today, Somerset House of London is hosting an exhibition of Chris Stein’s photography featuring over 50 pics. The exhibition runs until January 25, 2015.  Check it out.