Main content

Debbie Harry

Singer Debbie Harry, whose group Blondie sold more than thirty million albums, joins Kirsty Young to choose her Desert Island Discs.

Kirsty Young's castaway is the singer Debbie Harry.

Her group Blondie started out in seedy New York bars and went on to achieve international success - selling tens of millions of albums along the way. She was ultra cool - a striking beauty with platinum hair and a sneer. Now aged 65, her trademark look continues to serve her well, she says: "As far as ageing goes it's rough - I try my best - I'm healthy and I exercise like a fiend. I'm glad that I've had all the radical experiences in my life - it suits me."

Record: Mahler's Symphony No.5 in C sharp Minor -4th movement
Book: War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy
Luxury: Paints and papers

Producer: Leanne Buckle.

Available now

45 minutes

Last on

Fri 27 May 2011 09:00
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

More episodes

Previous

Kwame Kwei-Armah

Next

Roger Waters

See all episodes from Desert Island Discs

Music Played

  • Gossip

    Heavy Cross

    Composer: Gossip

    • Heavy Cross – The Gossip.
    • Columbia.

  • Nina Simone

    Strange Fruit

    Composer: L. Allen

    • Mood Indigo (the 60’s Vol.2).
    • Mercury.

  • Calvin Harris

    Merrymaking at My Place

    Composer: Calvin Harris (Wiles)

    • I Created Disco.
    • Columbia.

  • The Velvet Underground

    White Light/White Heat

    Composer: Lou Reed

    • White Light/White Heat.
    • Verve.

  • Fever Ray

    When I Grow Up

    Composer: Fever Ray

    • Fever Ray.
    • Rabid.

  • Nino Rota

    La Passerella from the film 8 1/2

    Artist: Riccardo Muti and the original film soundtrack

    • Omaggio a/Homage to Federico Fellini.
    • Butterfly Music.

  • Peaches

    Talk to Me

    Composer: Gonzales, Peaches

    • I feel Cream.
    • XL.

  • Castaway's Favourite

    • Gustav Mahler

      Symphony No. 5 in C sharp minor - 4th movement (Adagietto)

      Artist: Berlin Philharmonic conducted by Sir Simon Rattle

      • Mahler – Symphony No.5.
      • EMI.

  • Book Choice

    • War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy

  • Luxury Choice

    • Paints and paper

Credits

Presenter Kirsty Young
Interviewed Guest Deborah Harry

Broadcasts

  • Sun 22 May 2011 11:15
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Fri 27 May 2011 09:00
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

Featured in...

The Desert Island Discs podcast

The Desert Island Discs podcast

Subscribe or download individual episodes.

Listen to over 2,000 programmes

Click above to browse castaways, from 1942 to today.

Articles

Read the surprising things we've learned about some stand-out castaways.

Podcast