Tribute band captures the swagger and charisma of Blondie

From punk to disco to pop magic, belted out with the swagger that Blondie lead singer Debbie Harry captures so well – tribute band Bootleg Blondie caught the music and the singer to perfection at Berkhamsted Civic Centre on 25 April, Lyn Drummond writes.

Debbie Harris, (yes, that is her real name), lead vocalist of Bootleg Blondie, had the looks, the voice and the charisma of the original Blondie; in snap changes, wearing dustbin liners, thigh-length boots and holey t-shirts as she thrust her guitar, signed by all the Blondie band members, towards the crowd.

As the world’s No.1 official Debbie Harry and Blondie tribute band, established in 2001, it was the only tribute to have performed with two original founder members of Blondie, legendary drummer Clem Burke and singer, songwriter, bass player and author Gary Valentine.

‘We were in an originals band but always played covers of our favourite bands,’ Debbie Harris told Living. ‘Blondie was one of them. People kept asking for more Blondie and as I’m married to the guitarist, Andy Harris, and my real name is Debbie, it seemed like a really good idea,’ she said.

For her, the most meaningful songs since Bootleg Blondie began and ones which resonated most with audiences were those written with Clem Burke.

‘Clem was a really good friend to us, we knew him for nearly 20 years, we always felt he was our cool big brother. We wrote nearly 50 original songs with him and he played two tours of the UK with us back in 2019. Since his passing in 2025 we have dedicated the Blondie song I’m Always Touched By Your Presence Dear to Clem at every gig. The love from the crowd is unbelievable.’

Bootleg Blondie has followed Blondie’s career through changing musical trends, but always, like Blondie, maintained their hits like Call Me, The Tide Is High, Rapture and Heart of Glass from the 1978 album, Parallel Lines.

All firm favourites with Saturday’s audience as the dance floor continued to pump long after Bootleg Blondie had left the stage.

Image courtesy of Sandra Keys