Elsewhere the debate of whether Blondie are, or are not, a punk band has reared its ugly head again.The answer is 'of course they bloody are', but some will still dispute the evidence sticking firmly to their view that they were a pop band.
This misses the point entirely.
Did Blondie have pop hits? Yes.
Did the mainstream music lovers catapult them into the stratosphere fame wise? Once again yes.
Does this mean that they aren't a punk band? No.
They were there when the scene was blossoming in NY City and their credentials as pioneering punk rockers are impeccable. The opposition argument is as flimsy as the reasons for going to war in Iraq.
If anyone really doubts how punk rock they are then here's some proof.
San Fransisco in 1977 at the Waldorf and they're rockin'.
http://rapidshare.com/files/343321555
As requested here's some more Blondie.
This time it's their main stage slot from 1999's Glastonbury Festival. The quality is pretty good, as you would expect from a radio/television broadcast, and probably because it was around the time of their return to the charts with Maria the set is a timely reminder of how many hits they actually had. Bit of a greatest hits package really. Enjoy Mr Explode.http://rapidshare.com/files/343574580/Blonglast.rar
Thanks for the speedy response mate but the Glasto file actually contains the SF gig again.
ReplyDeleteI'll get that sorted right now.
ReplyDeleteThanks. Worth the wait - just as I remembered it. If you listen very closely, at the end of Sunday Girl you can just about hear someone in the crowd say "See. I told you you'd enjoy it you smug, pretentious snobs" That's me to my mates. :D
ReplyDeleteGlad you like it. When I was playing it the sound started to dip badly, but it was my windows media player as the rip was fine.
ReplyDeleteGlad I ripped it now as I'll burn it to another disc as I think the CDr I had is degrading.
Thank you for posting this Blondie
ReplyDeleteNo problem. If you are looking for anything just ask and I'll see what I can sort out.
ReplyDeleteBlondie ain't punk...they are about as punk as The Spice Girls. They are New Wave and that's about as close as they are to punk. They are no way in the same genre as The Sex Pistols, The Clash and The Damned!
ReplyDeleteThe Smiths are more punk than the Exploited!
ReplyDeleteDear Mr Another Mouse. Blondie were punk and were punk years before the British bands you named were even thought about. In fact one of the bands you mentioned "Sex Pistols" came about by what their manager seen in NYC in 1974 when he managed The New York Dolls. You'll be telling us next that The Ramones were a doo wop group!
ReplyDeleteI suggest to you that before making any further wild statements that are so wide of the mark. You ask yourself one simple question. " Is what I think I know, all there really is to know."
The opinion offered from anonymous is based on a personal perception of what punk is.
ReplyDeleteThere's a narrow definition there that cannot be challenged.
That it isn't shared with many is irrelevant of course.
"They are no way in the same genre as The Sex Pistols, The Clash and The Damned!"
ReplyDeleteThe day punk became a musical genre it died on it's arse. That would be about June '77.
Hahahahaha.
ReplyDeleteEarly June or late June?