Another Rockstar Turns 80!

Getting older is a part of life, I get it. But it's so hard to think of our rockstars at such elevated ages. Our Rock n Roll heroes getting older should be illegal! Deborah Harry (of Blondie) is now one of the many octogenarians actively working in the music biz! She now joins so many greats such as, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Roger Waters, Eric Clapton, Grace Slick, Rod Stewart, Eric Clapton, Ray Davies, Bob Dylan, Tom Jones and many more. We know that the alternative to growing older is death, so whilst growing old is preferrable, it's hard to see my rockstar heroes turn 80! Today is Debbie Harrys turn.

We all have that childhood friend that turned us onto special music. That person for me was Elliot Katz. When we were in our teens he turned me onto his teen idol Debbie Harry and Blondie, and ever since then I've loved her too. Sadly, Elliot passed away unexpectedly a couple of months ago. On this 80th Birthday of Deborah Harry, I celebrate her, my rockstar hero, and remembering my dear friend Elliot too, with love.

This last year has seen the deaths of a handful of big music industry folks, such as Brian Wilson, Sly Stone, Marianne Faithful and the one that hit me hardest was the death of Clem Burke, Blondies' drummer, at the age of 70. This is life (and death) and although I know we must accept this getting older melarchy, it's difficult as time goes by faster the older we get. Not ever knowing if there will be a tomorrow, I try to live each day with gratitude in my heart for each day I've been given thusfar. I end some of my articles with special words that I truly believe in, and they are: "Life is short...break the rules, forgive quickly, always apologize if you've hurt someone, kiss slowly, love truly, laugh uncontrollably, meditate often, be kind to each other, have the hard conversations because they make life richer, and never regret anything that made you smile". And of course...see live music (preferably with the volume turned way up)!

With peace, love, art and music,

Cheryl ☮ ❤️ 🎵 For videos of Blondie (and Clem)....There are many on my You Tube channel, please check them out and SUBSCRIBE! youtube.com/@TheMusicSoupVideo?sub_confirmation=1

Below is the article and photo gallery that I published a year ago when my awesome music rockstar hero, Ms. Harry turned 79.

(Repost from last year-2024)... Debbie Harry Turns 79!

Today July 1, 2024 Deborah Ann Harry of Blondie, born Angela Trimble enters the last year of her seventies! She has always been one of my musical favorites since I was a kid. I have had the pleasure of seeing Blondie perform many times live throughout the last five decades including two years ago when this was originally published. In honour of her birthday I am reposting this. Happy 79th Birthday Debbie Harry...Keep on rocking! 🤘🏽

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Deborah Harry, Clem Burke, Glen Matlock and band, rock The Masonic in San Francisco!

Blondie hit the scene in the mid 70s. Became popular in the UK and Ausralia and then in 1978 they blew up in the USA with the release of their third album, "Parallel Lines". For a few years Blondie had a bunch of hit singles, including "Heart of Glass", "Call Me", "Atomic", "The Tide Is High", and “Rapture”. They have aged with grace, style and longevity in the music business. Their music remains popular today and the audience was very excited to see them and the players were obviously happy to be on stage again. As a live music lover that's been on the planet for more than a half century, this band and bands like them, are part of that life soundtrack we all have in our brains. And it always feels good when revisited.

On the stage tonight was a special addition to Blondie, Glen Matlock, bass player from the original Sex Pistols. Drummer Clem Burke seems to get better and better each time I've seen him. He played with the Go Gos a couple months ago, and he blew my mind with his mad drumming skills, as he did tonight. In my opinion on drummers, he is one of the best.

The photos I shot from tonights show was from the FOH, ('front of house', which is really back of house). As far as the music they played at tonights show. I thought they could've reduced the new material, whilst increasing the amount of their gems, we all know and love. And Blondie has a ton of tunes they could've done. Their library is substantial. Also, I wasn't in love with their new material. But I do love Blondie. Deborah Harry and Clem Burke are super talents in the music biz, that have been playing for five decades. From the energy onstage, it looks like they'll be going for a while longer! See them if you can!

The following are photos from this show at The Masonic. But the pic to the left, is of me and my hero, Debbie Harry. It was taken in her dressing room after a long show they did about 7 years ago in Saratoga. Even though she has a stern look on her face, she was quite cordial about my presence and we had a lovely conversation that evening. I was totally starstruck, something that happens to me rarely. But hey, I got to hang with my childhood idol for a while, in a private room post show. We talked about a variety of things including one of the times I saw them play, in Brighton, England in the late 90s. A meeting I will never forget!

Another Rockstar Turns 80!

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