https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0...7/blondie-at-the-bbc

They are doing a Blondie night on bbc4. We take it for granted what a great pop group they were, mainly because they've never been away, apart from 82-99 when Debbie went Solo. They have continued to tour endlessly nearly every year since 99. Can they go on now that Clem Burke has died and Chris Stein seems to be quite ill.

Blondie is and always will be Debbie Harry.

Not many people can name a member of Blondie apart from Debbie Harry.

It's like T'Pau, no Carol Decker, no T'Pau.

Debbie is dominant, but they are a proper band. Most people with a reasonable knowledge of music, could name Chris Stein, the main songwriter, and Clem Burke a very distinctive drummer. You couldn't say the same for Coldplay. I remember when they started when I was about 9 or 10, I thought Blondie was just the name of the singer, then I saw a girl in a shop with a badge saying "Blondie is a group". Debbie was 80 on Tuesday, 10 years older than Clem Burke who died earlier this year. She still looks striking, but the voice is going a bit, based on their Glastonbury performance from a couple of years ago.

Most people with a reasonable knowledge of music,

Depends on which generation you are talking about, if people follow the band.

I was never a huge fan of Blondie but I can think of a few songs I can't stand by them. Rapture is one of them, why did everyone do a rap in the 1980s?

Even Roland Rat and Freddie Kruger had one of each.

I would say the same for most groups. Once you lose the lead singer, you lose all credibility, and you never have any more success. There are a few exceptions to this. Genesis is the obvious example, but they became a very different group, going from being arty, obscure group to a commercial rock group. Also, Kajagoogoo had a couple of hit singles after Limahl left, but this is very rare.

There are, of course, bands that had different lead singers before they were famous, and then found fame with a new singer (Duran Duran with Stephen Duffy and Bay City Rollers with Nobby Clark). This doesn't count because the previous singers were little-known.

robbiex wrote:
I would say the same for most groups. Once you lose the lead singer, you lose all credibility, and you never have any more success. There are a few exceptions to this. Genesis is the obvious example, but they became a very different group, going from being arty, obscure group to a commercial rock group. Also, Kajagoogoo had a couple of hit singles after Limahl left, but this is very rare.

There are, of course, bands that had different lead singers before they were famous, and then found fame with a new singer (Duran Duran with Stephen Duffy and Bay City Rollers with Nobby Clark). This doesn't count because the previous singers were little-known.

It was until the 1980s, Genesis became radio friendly. Phil Collins did a wonderful job on vocals after (Wind & Wuthering) Peter's departure. I still can't find one duff album or song by Genesis. I even like Calling All Stations. Iron Maiden and AC/DC found bigger success with new singers. (Ask Wyot about Iron Maiden)

The only bands I can thnk that should call it quits are Foreigner and Journey. Woody is making a nice living as a Roller these days but he don't tour much. Molly Hatchet is debateable amongst fans, Bobby Ingram bought the rights and licences cheaply, as a Japanese music company wanted the back catalogue, Bobby Ingram didn't want anyone interferring with the bands heritage and legacy. He did not join the band until 1987. Again he needs to make living but Molly Hatchet are now tribute IMHO.

If Johnny Van Zant was a blood brother to Lynyrd Skynyd would not be around anymore. Johnny Van Zant is keeping his brother's legacy going but they are just a supergroup when you research who his hired guns are.

I never knew Kajagoogoo carried on after Limahl left, I was never a fan of them even back in the day. Flock of Seagulls is now a Mike Score band.