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One Way Or Another - Johnnie Meets Blondie

Johnnie Walker meets guitarist Chris Stein and front-woman Debbie Harry from the most successful punk and new wave crossover bands of the 70s, Blondie.

As they release new album Panic of Girls, vocalist Debbie Harry and guitarist Chris Stein talk to Johnnie about their 37-year career as Blondie.

The most successful crossover group from the New York punk and new wave scene of the 70s, Blondie have come a long way from CBGB's and Debbie's days as a playboy bunny, selling over 40 million records.

Forming off the back of punk outfit The Stilettos, Chris and Debbie, by then in a relationship, formed Blondie with Clem Burke, Jimmy Destri and Gary Valentine in 1975 after the cat-calls thrown at Debbie Harry by passing truck drivers. Becoming regulars at hip hangouts Max's Kansas City and CBGB's and hanging out with the likes of Patti Smith and the Ramones their punk credentials were cemented when debut single 'Sex Offender' had to be changed to 'X-Offender' to ensure radio airplay.

Debbie and Chris chat to Johnnie about the early days from debut album 'Blondie' to the runaway success of 'Parallel Lines', angering punk purists and experimenting with reggae and rap. Painted by Andy Warhol and feted for her beauty and her style, how did Harry handle celebrity and how many of the rock and roll myths stand up? Johnnie finds out how Stein and Harry survived illness and a career dip in the 80s to come back with a hit album in the late 90s and issue their ninth studio album in 2011.

Also on the show, Dave Brown from South Shields recalls his memories of the decade in 'My 70s' and, after a request from a listener; Johnnie spins three tracks from Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel - The Best Days of Our Lives.

2 hours

Last on

Sun 12 Jun 2011 15:00
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2

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I Can Make You Reminisce: Paul McKenna Talks 70s

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See all episodes from Sounds of the 70s with Johnnie Walker

Music Played

  • Hour 1

    • Eagles

      Life in the Fast Lane

  • Boz Scaggs

    Lido Shuffle

  • Featured Album: Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel - The Best Years Of Our Lives

    • Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel

      The Mad Mad Moonlight

  • Jackie DeShannon

    Bette Davis Eyes

  • Ray Charles

    Let It Be

  • David Bowie

    Starman

  • My70s: Dave Brown - South Shields

    • Deep Purple

      Black Night

  • Led Zeppelin

    Immigrant Song

  • Bridget St. John

    Back To Stay

  • Strawbs

    Part Of The Union

  • Al Stewart

    The Year Of The Cat

  • Mike Oldfield

    Tubular Bells

  • Ron Grainer

    Doctor Who

    Music Arranger: Delia Derbyshire. Performer: The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radiophonic Workshop.

  • Caravan

    Love To Love You

  • Gordon Lightfoot

    Beautiful

  • Steve Miller Band

    Rock 'N' Me

  • Focus - Sylvia

  • Featured Album: Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel - The Best Years Of Ours Lives

    • Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel

      The Best Years Of Our Lives

  • Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes

    Don't Leave Me This Way

  • Hour 2

    • Tom Jones

      She's A Lady

  • Andrew Gold

    Thankyou For Being A Friend

  • Aretha Franklin

    Until You Come Back To Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do)

  • Peter Shelley

    Gee Baby

  • Interview with Blondie

    • Blondie

      Denis

  • Blondie

    Heart of Glass

  • Blondie

    In The Flesh

  • Blondie

    One Way Or Another

  • Gloria Gaynor

    Never Can Say Goodbye

  • Featured Album: Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel - The Best Years Of Our Lives

    • Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel

      Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)

  • Wings

    Silly Love Songs

Broadcast

  • Sun 12 Jun 2011 15:00
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2