Debbie Harry: A Brief Biography
Angela Trimble, known professionally as Debbie Harry, is a renowned American singer, songwriter, and actress. She rose to fame as the lead vocalist of the iconic band Blondie, with four of their songs topping the US charts between 1979 and 1981. As the frontwoman of Blondie, a new wave punk band, she has also collaborated with The Jazz Messenger and pursued a successful solo career. Prior to her musical endeavors, Debbie Harry worked various jobs, including waitress, go-go dancer, and Playboy bunny. Her contributions to rock and roll were recognized when she ranked #12 on VH1's 100 Greatest Women of Rock and Roll in 1999. In 1981, she released her debut solo album, titled "KooKoo". Throughout her career, Debbie Harry ventured into acting, landing leading roles in the neo-noir film "Union City" (1980) and David Cronenberg's body horror masterpiece "Videodrome" (1983) during a break from Blondie. Before embarking on her singing career, she relocated to New York City in the late 1960s, where she worked as a secretary at BBC Radio's office for a year. Adding to her accolades, "Rolling Stone" recognized her as the 168th greatest singer of all time in their 2023 list. With her widespread popularity, Debbie Harry remains active on social media, boasting a Twitter following of 351.1K.
Early Life
Debbie Harry, originally named Angela Trimble, was born on July 1, 1945, in Miami, Florida, USA. When she was just three months old, she was adopted by Catherine and Richard Harry, who ran a gift shop in Hawthorne, New Jersey, and her name was changed to Deborah Ann Harry. Debbie discovered she was adopted at the age of four but initially chose not to search for her birth parents. However, in the late 1980s, she successfully located her birth mother, who happened to be a concert pianist, although they did not establish a relationship. Debbie Harry holds American nationality and identifies as American-White in terms of ethnicity. She follows the Christian religion, and her race is White. Presently, she is 77 years old and her zodiac sign is Cancer.
Talking about her education, Harry completed her high school education at Hawthorne High School, graduating in 1963. Later, she pursued higher education at Centenary College in Hackettstown, New Jersey, where she obtained an Associate of Arts degree in 1965.
Musical Career
- During the late 1960s, Debbie Harry embarked on her music career by joining The Wind in the Willows as a backing singer, and in 1968, the group released a self-titled album under Capitol Records. In 1973, Harry became a member of The Stilettos alongside Elda Gentile and Amanda Jones. Soon after, Chris Stein, who later became her boyfriend, joined the band as a guitarist. In her memoir, "Face It," Harry courageously reveals being subjected to a harrowing experience of rape at knifepoint during a home burglary that she and Stein shared.
- In 1974, Harry and Stein, along with the Stilettos' bassist and drummer, departed the band and formed Angel and the Snake. The band's name was later changed to Blondie, inspired by the catcalls directed at Harry after she bleached her hair blonde. Blondie swiftly gained popularity as they became regular performers at renowned venues such as Max's Kansas City and CBGB in New York City.
- Her striking beauty, fearless fashion choices, and distinctive two-tone bleached-blonde hair swiftly established her as an iconic figure in the punk scene. In 1976, Blondie released their self-titled debut album, which achieved a peak position of No. 14 in Australia and later reached No. 75 in the United Kingdom in 1979.
- Their second album, "Plastic Letters," garnered considerable success outside of the United States, but it was their third album, "Parallel Lines" (1978), that propelled the band to global stardom. This album became a phenomenal success worldwide and featured the chart-topping sensation "Heart of Glass." Against the backdrop of disco's domination, the track soared to No. 1 in the US and sold nearly two million copies. Additionally, it reached No. 1 in the UK and became the second highest-selling single of 1979.
- Continuing their collaboration and maintaining a strong friendship, Debbie Harry remained closely connected to Andy Warhol and became the inaugural guest on his MTV show, "Andy Warhol's Fifteen Minutes." In the first episode, Harry took the spotlight and introduced the theme with her distinctive charm, stating, "Sex, Vegetables, Brothers, and Sisters."
- She later started her solo career in 1981, releasing her debut album, "KooKoo." Produced by Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards of Chic, the album achieved moderate success, reaching No. 25 in the US and No. 6 in the UK. However, its cover art, featuring Harry with skewers through her face, sparked controversy and led to some stores refusing to stock it. The album's first single, "Backfired," accompanied by a video directed by H.R. Giger, reached No. 43 on the Billboard Hot 100.
- After a hiatus, Blondie regrouped and released their sixth studio album, "The Hunter" in 1982, which was not as successful as their previous works. During this time, Harry also made notable contributions to other projects, including her role in David Cronenberg's film "Videodrome" in 1983.
- In 1986, she released her second solo album, "Rockbird," which included the hit single "French Kissin' in the USA." Harry continued to explore her solo career with subsequent releases, collaborating with various artists and making appearances in films such as "Hairspray" (1988) and "Cop Land" (1997).
- Blondie reunited in 1997 for their seventh studio album, "No Exit" (1999), which produced the hit single "Maria." The album debuted at No. 3 in the UK and No. 17 in the US. Deborah Harry collaborated with other artists and released her solo album "Necessary Evil" (2007) after touring with Cyndi Lauper. The album featured the single "Two Times Blue" and reached No. 86 in the UK and No. 37 on the US Billboard Top Independent Albums chart. Harry promoted the album through talk show appearances and embarked on a US tour.
- Harry collaborated with Fall Out Boy on their 2008 album "Folie a Deux" and featured on the song "West Coast Smoker." She also participated in The Jeffrey Lee Pierce Sessions Project in 2010, recording solo tracks and duets. Blondie released their ninth studio album, "Panic of Girls," in 2011. Harry joined Arcade Fire for a guest appearance at Coachella in 2014 and later released Blondie's tenth studio album, "Ghosts of Download."
- In 2015, Harry and Chris Stein of Blondie collaborated with The Gregory Brothers and parodied the US presidential election debates. Harry had a residency at Cafe Carlyle in New York in 2015. Blondie's eleventh studio album, "Pollinator," debuted at No. 4 in the UK in 2017. Harry released her memoir, "Face It," in October 2019 and made a cameo in the TV series "High Fidelity" in 2020. In 2023, "Rolling Stone" recognized her as the 168th greatest singer of all time.
Bibliography
- Making Tracks: The Rise of Blondie (1982)
- Debbie Harry and Blondie: Picture This (2011)
- Face It (2019)
Is Debbie Harry in a relationship?
Debbie Harry is an unmarried woman. She was previously in a relationship with Chris Stein, the guitarist of Blondie. Although they separated in 1987, they maintained a friendship. In 2011, Harry acknowledged that both she and Stein struggled with drug use during their time together but had since undergone rehabilitation and no longer used drugs. Harry is the godmother to Stein's two daughters. Additionally, Harry revealed in 2014 that she had been involved in relationships with women during her youth. Concerning her sexual orientation, she is Bisexual. As of 2019, Harry divides her time between New York City and Monmouth County, New Jersey, where she resides with her four dogs. Currently, Debbie Harry's relationship status is undisclosed, and no information about her love life has been made public.
In her 2019 memoir, "Face It: A Memoir," Harry shared a harrowing experience of being raped at knifepoint during a burglary at her shared home with Stein. She also recounted an encounter in the early 1970s where serial killer Ted Bundy attempted to lure her into his car in New York City, but she managed to escape. Although her description of the vehicle matched Bundy's at the time, authorities believed he was in Florida. It's worth noting that such claims of Bundy's abductions have been known to be inaccurately reported.
How much is Debbie Harry worth?
Debbie Harry has achieved remarkable financial success. As of 2023, she has amassed a net worth of $30 million, showcasing her enduring impact in the entertainment industry. Her talent and popularity have contributed to her earning an impressive salary of approximately $3.33 million per year. Alongside her artistic endeavors, Debbie has also ventured into brand endorsements, collaborating with various companies throughout her career. Notable brand partnerships include Gv jeans in 1981, Mac Cosmetics in 2006, and Swiffer from 2005 to 2008. In August 2021, she further showcased her influential presence by participating in a campaign for the Coach Camo Collection, sharing the spotlight with esteemed individuals such as Michael B. Jordan, Quincy, and Jeremy Lin. However, it is important to note that her primary source of income stems from her multifaceted career as a singer, songwriter, and actress, highlighting her exceptional talents and contributions to the entertainment world.
Debbie Harry Hair
Debbie Harry possesses a striking beauty that captivates audiences. Standing at a height of 5 feet 3 inches or 160 centimeters, she carries herself with grace and allure. With a weight of 57 kilograms or 126 pounds, she maintains a slim body build that complements her overall appearance. Her lustrous blonde hair and captivating green eyes enhance her features, drawing attention to her stunning facial attributes. Notably, her alluring eyes, seductive deep voice, perfectly shaped lips, and chiseled jawline contribute to her distinctive charm and charisma. Debbie Harry's physical presence exudes elegance and magnetism, further complementing her immense talent and contributions to the entertainment industry.
