West Hollywood CA (West Hollywood
Today) 8/10/2013
Photos & story by Karen Ostlund
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| left, drummer Clem Burke, Debbie Harry, Joan Jett & Rodney Bingenheimer at Morrison Hotel Gallery |
“Hell in the
City of Angels” is Blondie’s guitarist Chris
Stein new photo exhibit featuring Stein's photography of some of the most
classic rock n' roll icons in history including Debbie Harry, lead vocal in Blondie,
Richard Hell, Sting, Iggy Pop, and The Ramones.
Many of the images are related to Los Angeles.
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| Chris Stein |
Joan Jett was this year's SSMF honoree, and played live at the House Of Blues in West Hollywood. She got help on stage by KROQ's Rodney Bingenheimer on guitar.
Christ Stein started taking photographs in 1968. During
his last years at the School of Visual Arts in NYC he began hanging out in the
early downtown rock scene. In 1973 he met and began working with Debbie Harry
and together they founded the band Blondie.
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| KROQ's DJ Rodney Bingenheimer in front of Stein's photo of him from the late 70's |
The band was a pioneer in American new wave and punk
scenes of the mid-1970s. Their first two albums contained strong elements of
these genres, and although successful in the United Kingdom and Australia,
Their debut album "Blondie"
(UK No. 75 & AUS No. 14) was issued in December 1976.
In September 1977, Blondie bought back its contract with label Private Stock, and then signed with Chrysalis Records. The first album was re-released on the new label in October 1977
In September 1977, Blondie bought back its contract with label Private Stock, and then signed with Chrysalis Records. The first album was re-released on the new label in October 1977
Blondie was regarded as an underground band in the United
States until the release of Parallel Lines in 1978. By 1981, the band
had achieved several hit singles including "Call Me", "Atomic"
and "Heart of Glass" and became noted for its eclectic mix of musical
styles incorporating elements of disco, pop, rap, and reggae, while retaining a
basic style as a new wave band.
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| Poster of Blondie in the late 70's |
Chris was always
taking pictures of the milieu that surrounded Blondie and was lucky to be on
the inside and mingle with many of the pioneers of the new wave and punk music
scenes. His intimate photographs of Debbie Harry have helped establish him her
as an international icon.
Co-owner of
Morrison Hotel Gallery at Sunset Marquis Timothy White said, “Chris Stein is
rock and roll royality in every aspect of that word. He was at the forefront of
a movement. He and Debbie Harry were a part of a movement that created some of
the best music of the decade, but what he created as a photographer, with her
as his muse, really stands out with as important imagery, which we identify
with for that period of time and the people associated with it. It’s a big
piece of music history and an exciting part of the exhibit.”
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| Sting w Debbie Harry and Ramones, Chris Stein photos |
So what happened after Blondie’s brake-up,
after the release of their 6th studio album “The Hunter" in 1982?
Deborah Harry continued to pursue a solo career with
varied results after taking a few years off to care for partner Chris Stein,
who was diagnosed with pemphigus, a rare autoimmune disease of the skin. after the release of their 6th studio album “The Hunter" in 1982?
The band reformed in 1997, achieving renewed success and
a number one single in the United Kingdom with "Maria" in 1999.
Blondie was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
in 2006, and is still active together today.
Their ninth studio
album, Panic of Girls, was released in 2011, and "Ghosts of Download", is to follow to be released this fall 2013.
Morrison
Hotel Gallery at Sunset
Marquis Hotel in West Hollywood is open 7 days a week, 10am-10pm.
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