The album spawned the singles “Kidnapper”, “Denis”, and “(I’m Always Touched by Your) Presence, Dear”, and marked Blondie’s critical and commercial breakthrough. A year later the group’s sophomore album “Plastic Letters” appeared, charting at No. Following their song “In the Flesh” mistakenly appearing on the Australian TV show “Countdown”, Blondie earned a host of national exposure, and resulted in the single peaking at No. Due to this disappointment in 1977 Blondie bought back their contract with Private Stock and signed with Chrysalis Records. Following regular and successful spells at the bars Max’s Kansas City and CBGB, the band caught the attention of Private Stock Records, who signed Blondie in 1976.īlondie’s self-titled debut arrived the same year and although failing to be a great commercial success, highlighted the group’s early musical eclecticism, which is showcased on later albums. The name lasted only until October 1974, after which Blondie was born, and the duo invited drummer Clem Burke and bass player Gary Valentine to join their ranks. Guitarist Chris Stein also joined the Stilletoes, in 1973, however a year after, the pair parted ways and formed the group Angel and the Snake. Prior to the earliest incarnation of Blondie, singer Deborah Harry had performed in the folk-rock band the Wind in the Willows, and subsequently the new wave band Stilettoes.
