Clem Burke - drummer; Jimmy Destri - keyboards; Nigel Harrison - bass; Deborah Harry - vocals; Frank Infante - guitar; Chris Stein - guitars, vocals
Blondie emerged from the CBGBs punk scene alongside New York bands like The Ramones and Pere Ubu, but they didn't stay underground for long. Initially formed in 1974 by Debbie Harry and Chris Stein (formerly of the Stilletos), the group went through a revolving line-up before signing with indie label Private Stock Records and releasing the self-titled debut, Blondie in 1976.
They received enough attention from their debut that Terry Ellis of Chrysalis Records initiated a buy-out and signed them to a long term contract. Initially they continued to work with producer Richard Gotteher; later Ellis hooked them up with British songwriter/producer Mike Chapman, who turned the tide for the band. Songs like "Heart of Glass," and "Hanging On The Telephone," opened the flood gates with extensive airplay on both AOR and Top 40 playlists.
By the time the group recorded this show for the King Biscuit Flower Hour in December of 1979, they were at the top of their game with the release of Blondie's fourth album, Eat To The Beat. Although it was a new track at the time, "Dreamin'" would go on to be one its biggest hits. The rest of this short set features classic Blondie songs, even if they are not the biggest hits the band released during this time period. "In The Sun," is one of the better songs Harry ever sang, and the compelling "Sunday Girl," is simply a great pop song.
Blondie had been at the top of the pop charts for the end of '70s and much of the early '80s. By the time the '80s were half over, much of Blondie's impact had lessened and the group went into hiatus. Harry attempted some solo LPs but never achieved the impact that she had with Blondie. She and Stein reformed Blondie after the turn of the millennium and continue to record and tour. In 2006, they took to the road with a reformed version of The Cars.