Blondie, From Punk to the Present: A Pictorial History, albeit lacks design, is incredibly rich with content. The editor has delved into his research and compiled not just information on Ms. Harry and Blondie, but on the roots of the New York punk scene, especially in contrast to its British counterpart. The endless essays and collections of photographs in this 500+ page book are a lot to digest, but it truly places Blondie in context with the music of the late 70’s in lower Manhattan. From the Warhol scene and The Velvet Underground to Blondie’s contemporaries The Ramones and Television/Richard Hell, American punk created a revolution, breaking through the fluff of mainstream music.

With her vibrant vocals, bewitching looks and cutting-edge style, Deborah Harry paved the way for many of today’s female singers such as Madonna, Courtney Love, Shirley Manson and Gwen Stefani. She was born in Miami and adopted at 3 months old by Richard and Catherine Harry. She grew up in New Jersey, but moved in New York City in 1965, where she held several odd jobs such as waiting tables at Max’s Kansas City and hosting as a Playboy bunny.

History was made when she met Chris Stein in 1973 and they formed a band called The Stilletos. They gained a cult following, changed their name to Blondie, and were a signed act by 1976. Blondie was clearly unafraid to experiment with various musical styles, incorporating rap, reggae and disco into their sound; songs like “Heart of Glass”, “Call Me”, and “Rapture” sound as good today as they did twenty years ago. Their latest albums, No Exit (1999) and The Curse of Blondie (2004) carry the legacy.

This overwhelming tome is a great addition to the library of not just Blondie fans, but fans of early punk and new wave. My only criticism is the fact there aren’t any pictures in color, but overall, this is a fascinating read and recommended reference.