Debbie Harry Blondie: Picture This

by Mick Rock, Debbie Harry (Foreword)

A unique look at the collaboration between famed rock photographer Mick Rock and Debbie Harry—one of music’s greatest stars—and the band Blondie.
 
“I’ve been photographed by a lot of different people since I started Blondie, but Mick is unforgettable.”—Deborah Harry
 
Blondie was the most successful rock act to emerge from New York’s seminal and anarchic downtown punk scene of the mid-1970s—and the band’s beautiful, multitalented lead singer, Debbie Harry, became one of the most photogenic and photographed rock performers of all time. During the same period, photographer Mick Rock lived and lensed cutting-edge culture in the city, shooting rock ’n’ roll greats like David Bowie and Lou Reed. The artistic collaboration between Rock and Harry yielded iconic photos that transcended and transformed the public perception of rock ’n’ roll imagery. This book—with a foreword written by Harry herself—explores in depth, both visually and verbally, the unique natural charm and charisma of Debbie's “punk Marilyn Monroe” persona in its prime, and her successful reinvention of that persona for Blondie’s glorious comeback of recent years. Mick Rock provides a vivid, memorable account of his larger-than-life adventures behind the camera, revealing just what made Debbie Harry and Blondie so distinctive.
 

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Art, Photography, Biography, Art and Photography

224 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2003

About the author

Mick Rock was the man who photographed rock 'n' roll in the seventies, especially glam. He was the official photographer of David Bowie through all his personas.

A photographer best known for his iconic shots of rock and roll legends such as Queen, David Bowie, Syd Barrett, Lou Reed, Rocky Horror Picture Show, Iggy Pop and The Stooges, The Sex Pistols, The Ramones, Joan Jett, Talking Heads, Roxy Music, Crossfade, Thin Lizzy, Motley Crue, and Blondie. Rock has had major exhibitions in London, Liverpool, Berlin, Manchester, New York, Los Angeles, Oslo, Stockholm, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Tokyo, San Francisco, and Las Vegas.

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

As Blondie emerged onto the music scene in the mid-70s, acclaimed Brit photographer Mick Rock was there to capture it on film and he went on to produce several iconic images of Debbie Harry (and sometimes the rest of the band). This book documents those sessions (and live photography) and, unfortunately, also charts Rock’s life at the time. Aside from one crucial quote “Debbie not only had the look, but she also had the talent to impose herself on the culture”, he spends a lot of time reminding the reader how cool he was, sleeping around, taking drugs, shooting iconic album covers (don’t worry if you didn’t realise he’d worked with Lou Reed, he will tell you repeatedly) and it soon becomes obvious that Rock is more impressed with himself than the reader could ever be. It’s a shame because the imagery is superb - Debbie Harry is a natural in front of the camera and Rock captures her wonderfully - and if you skip the words, it won’t be too bad. I’d very much recommend this but only for the pictures (which are what earns it stars).

[Maggie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The photos in this are gorgeous, and I’m glad I bought it because I adore Debbie with my whole heart, but Rock should’ve stuck to just publishing pictures instead of writing copy. Everything he says about Debbie is leering, creepy, and overtly sexual. I get it, as a photographer one can become very focused on how a person looks because you’re concerned about photos. However, 95% of the copy of this book was just Rock talking about how sexy Debbie was in the 70s as opposed to highlighting literally anything else about her - her brains, her tenacity, her sense of humor, anything. Every sentence was just him sexualizing her. The other 5% of the book was simply him discussing the ridiculous amount of drugs he was on in the 70s, making the copy completely pointless, as it did nothing to supplement the photos. Rock is a great photographer, but he’s always given me whack ass vibes and this book just confirms that. Unless you’re a massive Blondie fan and want the book for the photos, I’d probably stay away from this.

[Scott Hibberson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mick Rock is more than just a rock photographer who caught some of the most (if not the most) iconic images in rock history - he’s also an accomplished writer. I enjoyed his anecdotes of the early 1970s NYC scene, before Guiliani cleaned up the streets (and made them less interesting in the process). His encounters with Ms Harry are touching and yet respectful, as he refrains from indulging into areas that are clearly of a sensitive nature (the bands break up, Harry’s relationship with Stein), which might have helped with book sales, but instead he lets his camera do the talking.

It goes without saying - fabulous photographs throughout.

[Alan · Rating 3 out of 5]

saw it in the library, had to tke it home (along with another Mick Rock one).

In 1976 - was it - I was 21, living in a shared student house in Bath, and everyone gathered around the TV on Thursdays for Top of the Pops (and usually Balnkety Blank). One Thursday there was Blondie (Denis Denis) and Debbie Harry was wearing a one piece swimsuit and a man's suit jacket. Mesmerising. After that we never missed a TOTP when the band were in the charts (in much the same way the women of the house perked up when Bryan Ferry was on). One of my mates bought the Parallel Lines album so the music - pretty damn good - played along with the punk (well that came along a bit later) and reggae.

So this brought it back, although I found I didn't like the glammed up shots so much as the domestic ones, in jeans and T-shirt, or the ones where she dresses down in old jumpers. The text was negligible, although I think this is correct: Her appeal did not lie in her blondeness. It's an innate quality. There has alays been a softness, a... casualness about the way she deals with her physical appeal. Must be, because I prefer brunettes.

[Lynda · Rating 3 out of 5]

For the first 185 pages I thoroughly enjoyed this pictography featuring photos of Debbie Harry circa 1976ish to 1979 with narrative supplied by author/photographer, Mick Rock. I loved reliving the musical exuberance and relative innocence which Blondie exuded in the late 1970's. The photo's are little known shots from photo shoots done by Rock which he sold to magazines.
Sadly, the iconic Parallel Lines album cover was not one of them.
After page 185, the reader is propelled to the future fates of Rock and the diminishing notoriety of Harry. Brought together once again in the early 2000's, one is reminded that sometimes you just can not relive a time gone by and in some respects, no matter how hard one tries, the magic isn't the same.

[Justin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Photos alone are 5 stars, absolutely stunning. Mick’s commentary was also a fun lens to view Blondie’s story through.

The commentary however left me wanting more. It seemed that just as I started to get invested in side topic in Mick or Debbie’s lives I’d turn the page and we would be onto something new.

[Sophia Iris · Rating 1 out of 5]

The words in this book are useless. It's literally all about how dudes think she's so sexy and they can't stop getting boners over her. I got it for 50% off at Barnes and Noble, and very quickly figured out why it was on clearance. Great pics, disgusting and sexist book

[Maddie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Debbie and the photography in this book is simply stunning. Could have done without any of Rock'a writing though aha

[Shan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love Debbie. Mick truly grabbed her essence through the lens. Loved the addition of the "older" Debbie photo shoots. Chef's kiss!

[Keelie]

I really love mick rock's photography. I also really love blondie.... So I guess I was expecting a lot more from this book.

I bought "moonage daydream" a year or so before and was amazed by david bowie's stories and how the linked in so cohesively with the photographs mick had taken.

Picture this doesn't have a narrative from Debbie Harry or any other members of blondie, but rather just a rather long winded description on how the photographs were taken. Some of the stories are quite technical with various photography terms used to describe the "how" and not so much the "who", "when", or "why". As I'm not a photographer, it quickly grated on me to the extent that I skim read pretty much all the text and just admired his brilliant photographic work.

[Blane · Rating 1 out of 5]

Debbie Harry is very special. She has represented NYC cool via her bad-ass attitude & a sexual frankness that has spanned five decades. And she is very photogenic.

Mick Rock is also very special. His iconic photographs of rock & roll royalty have defined the genre.

This book, though, is not very special. The photos represented are repetitive and just "meh"; the accompanying text is equally dull & lifeless. If these are all Rock had to work with vis-a-vis Harry (& Blondie), why was this book even published?

[Dimity Hubbub · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lowri got me this for Christmas,it is beautiful.

[Claire Rose · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pictures good (but not actually amazing), text rubbish, whole package a bit shoddy.