FACE IT

'I was saying things in songs that female singers didn't really say back then. I wasn't submissive or begging him to come back, I was kicking his ass, kicking him out, kicking my own ass too. My Blondie character was an inflatable doll with a dark, provocative, aggressive side. I was playing it up, yet I was very serious.' Brave, beautiful and born to be punk, Debbie Harry is a musician, actor, activist and the iconic face of New York City cool. As the front-woman of Blondie, she and the band forged a new sound that brought together the worlds of rock, punk, disco, reggae and hip-hop to create some of the most beloved pop songs of all time. As a muse, she collaborated with some of the boldest artists of the past four decades. In a mix of visceral, soulful storytelling and stunning visuals that include never-before-seen photographs, bespoke illustrations and fan art installations, the book upends the standard music memoir. With all the grit, grime and glory recounted in intimate detail, the book recreates the downtown scene of 1970s New York City, where Blondie played alongside the Ramones, Television, Talking Heads, Iggy Pop and David Bowie. Following her path from glorious commercial success to heroin addiction, the near death of partner Chris Stein, a heart-wrenching bankruptcy, and Blondie's break-up as a band, to Debbie Harry's multifaceted acting career in more than 30 films, a stunning solo career and a triumphant return of her band, and her tireless advocacy for the environment and LGBTQ rights, here is a cinematic story of a woman who made her own path. Her interest in bees and small anecdotes such as her trip to the cigar shop show small insights into her personality in this chatty and friendly book. 360pp, paperback, packed with illustrations including colour plates and images of this extraordinarily beautiful woman.