Debbie Harry: ‘Madonna Stole My Style’
Blondie singer Debbie Harry has accused Madonna of stealing her look when she rose to fame in the 1980s.
Harry was an up-and-coming musician when Madonna became a pop sensation with her self-titled debut album in 1982, and is convinced the Like A Virgin singer got the idea for her platinum blonde hairdo from the now-62-year-old star.
She says, “I came right up against the Madonna thing. Maybe it’s my paranoia but she had a lot of my looks. If you look closely, sometimes there’s pictures of her and me that completely overlap.
“She (Madonna) was getting such a huge push from Warner (Bros.), I was definitely on the B-list. It was a hard period for me. I don’t think anybody knew how to market me or what to do with me. I was like a fish out of water.”
October 2nd, 2007 at 8:25 am
I loved Blondie (and Debbie Harry) during the early 80’s But even in 81′ they were pretty much on the out. By the time Madonna was putting out her first big hit, they were old news (Holiday in 83???). Sounds like sour grapes and a case of old-timers kicking in to me.
October 2nd, 2007 at 10:54 am
I was there when the Marketed Madonna-Whore came on the scene. Her crap was marketed towards Tweens. In fact, my little niece at the time, couldn’t get enough of “like a virgin”. That’s why she sold so many records. She was not playing adult music like Blondie was. Talent-wise the Marketed Madonna-Whore couldn’t kiss Debbie Harries ass.
Madonna was the beginning of end for good music. After that, MTV came and killed good music altogether.
October 2nd, 2007 at 11:02 am
This is not true. Blondie has several Top ten hits prior to 1982 before Madonna surfaced. Somebody needs to fact check
October 2nd, 2007 at 11:49 am
Blondie’s last hit (singles wise) was 1981 Rapture….after that nothing made the charts/playlists (check wikipedia).
as I said
Madonna’s first hit was 3 years later w/ Holiday.
It’s different music though. As for Madonna stealing Debbie Harry’s look….
what did she own the patent on platinum blond cropped hair…?
Madonna hands down beat Blondie/Debbie Harry on a career. Talent too.
October 3rd, 2007 at 10:31 am
Lor-
“Madonna-Whore”?!?! I think not. Facts are facts, you may not like Madonna, but lets face it, madonna’s career has lasted 25 YEARS! Blondie had their run in the 70’s and died out in the early 80’s. True, they definately had some breakthrough music and have left their mark, But I do believe that Madonna has left a huger footprint in the music industry. Here she is, at 47, and still selling out huge arenas WORLDWIDE. Can Blondie/Debbie Harry still do that? No I dont think so…sorry to break it to you.
December 26th, 2007 at 9:42 am
Madonna might have sold more records and may be a bigger star, but Debbie was far more beautiful and can actually sing and write brilliant songs. I’ll take “Dreaming” and “I’m always touched by your presence dear” over “Material Girl” any day.
September 28th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
Psst, love you Debbie, but you stole everything from Nico. So there.
December 29th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
While Madonna is quite the icon and I adore her, Debbie Harry will always be way more cool in my book. Even into older age. I think she is aging more gracefully than Madonna, who just seems to be a bitter old woman in the interviews I see of her lately. Debbie still has an optimism and youthfulness that permeates. Madge just seems so mean. Maybe she needs to bone up on the meditation a bit more…center herself. At any rate…they both stole it from Marilyn.
January 7th, 2009 at 9:40 pm
didn’t they BOTH steal the look from Marilyn Monroe? And really, is STEAL even the right word? Y’know … imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and all.
Anywho … whose look HASN’T Madge ’stolen’? The lady is a performance artist and there is room for both Debbie & Madonna in the ICON HALL OF FAME.