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Debbie Harry Profile

Debbie Harry Profile Photo

Debbie Harry

Famous As
Singer, actress
Birth Name
Angela Tremble
Birth Date
July 1, 1945
Birth Place
Miami, Florida, USA
Famous As
Singer, actress
Popular for
Lead singer of New Wave band Blondie
Birth Name
Angela Tremble
Birth Date
July 1, 1945
Birth Place
Miami, Florida, USA
Height
5' 3"
Nationality
American
Education
  • Graduated from Hawthorne High School, Passaic County, New Jersey
  • Graduated from Centenary College, Hackettstown, New Jersey with an Associate of Arts degree in 1965
Father
Richard Smith
Mother
Catherine Harry
Relation
Chris Stein (Blondie's guitarist, 1970s-1990s)

Debbie Harry, born Angela Tremble on July 1, 1945, in Miami, Florida, is an iconic American singer, songwriter, and actress, best known as the lead vocalist of the influential New Wave band Blondie. Emerging as a defining figure in the music scene of the late 1970s and early 1980s, Harry's unique blend of punk, pop, and disco helped propel Blondie to international fame, with several of their songs reaching the top of the charts.

Raised in Hawthorne, New Jersey, Harry was adopted shortly after birth and grew up in a creative environment. She attended college and held various jobs, including as a dancer, a Playboy Bunny, and a secretary at the BBC in New York. It was during this time that she began to immerse herself in the burgeoning music scene, co-founding Blondie in 1974 alongside guitarist Chris Stein. The band released their self-titled debut album in 1976, but it was their third studio album, Parallel Lines, released in 1978, that catapulted them to stardom, featuring hits like "Heart of Glass" and "One Way or Another."

Blondie continued to dominate the music charts with their subsequent albums, including Autoamerican in 1980, which produced the hits "The Tide Is High" and "Rapture." The latter is notable for being one of the first rap songs to achieve widespread success in the United States, further showcasing Harry's versatility as an artist. During her time with Blondie, Harry's striking looks and charismatic stage presence made her a fashion icon and a symbol of the era's counterculture.

In 1981, Harry released her debut solo album, KooKoo, which featured the hit single "Backfired." As Blondie entered a hiatus in the early 1980s, she ventured into acting, landing significant roles in films such as Union City and Videodrome, directed by David Cronenberg. Harry's film career continued throughout the decade, with notable appearances in Hairspray, directed by John Waters, and several other projects, establishing her as a multifaceted talent beyond music.

The late 1990s saw Blondie's reunion, culminating in the release of their album No Exit in 1999. Following this, they released The Curse of Blondie in 2003, and Harry continued to balance her music career with acting, appearing in films like Deuces Wild and Heavy. Blondie's legacy continued to flourish in the 2010s with the release of their ninth studio album, Panic of Girls in 2011, and Ghosts of Download in 2014. Their eleventh studio album, Pollinator, released in 2017, charted at number 4 in the United Kingdom, demonstrating their enduring popularity.

Throughout her career, Debbie Harry has received numerous accolades and has been recognized for her contributions to music and culture. As a pioneer of the New Wave movement, she remains an influential figure, inspiring generations of artists. Today, she continues to perform and engage with her fans while contributing to various artistic endeavors, solidifying her status as a beloved icon in the entertainment industry.