Debbie Harry says she doesn’t want to perform under the Blondie name without her “original guys.”
After the death of beloved drummer Clem Burke at age 70 in April, and with guitarist Chris Stein, 75, unable to tour due to health issues, the 80-year-old singer shared that she’s “against” continuing to use the Blondie name if it’s just her and replacement musicians.
Speaking to NME, she explained, “It was Chris, Clem, and me who were the only original members performing live. We just lost Clem, and Chris isn’t playing anymore… though that might change. Honestly, I’ve never liked seeing a band with just one original member while everyone else is a stand-in. The musicians I’ve been playing with recently are incredible. I’ve worked with most of them for at least five years, and it’s been an honor to perform with [Sex Pistols’] Glen Matlock. Still, I feel like they deserve more of their own identity.”
The Heart of Glass star said that the only way she could imagine performing Blondie songs again would be under a new concept, suggesting something like “Blondie Presents.”
She said, “Maybe if I rebranded it as something using Blondie as an umbrella term—like ‘Blondie Presents’—I could see myself doing it. But I just don’t feel right walking on stage without my original guys and calling it Blondie. It doesn’t sit right with me.”
Even though the band might not tour again, Blondie will release a new studio album titled High Noon, which will feature Clem’s recordings posthumously.
Reflecting on the record and the band’s future, Chris Stein said, “Clem was doing well when we made this album. His passing came very suddenly and shocked all of us. It’s hard to say what comes next. I’ve been dealing with my own health problems, and I don’t know when I’ll be back to making music again, but I hope I will.”
Harry added that she feels the same about recording new music without her longtime bandmates as she does about touring without them.
“When it comes to another Blondie record after this one, I think it’s the same as what I said about performing,” she said. “Maybe it would have to be ‘Blondie Presents’ or something like that. I haven’t really figured it all out yet.”

