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Liverpool Echo - 29th March 2008

Blondie and The Stranglers to play ECHO Arena

Mar 29 2008 by Catherine Jones, Liverpool Echo

PUNK legends Blondie and The Stranglers are heading for this year’s Summer Pops.

The superstars will perform in a double-header concert at the ECHO Arena in July.

Tickets for the show go on sale on Wednesday.

It is the first time either band has played at the month-long music event.

They join a line-up already bursting with big names including Diana Ross, Michael Bublé, Michael Ball, Crowded House, Counting Crows, Def Leppard, Whitesnake and Meat Loaf.

Blondie emerged as the great pop icons of New York’s celebrated late 1970s new wave punk scene.

They scored their first major hits with reggae, rock/disco and hip-hop songs, and were renowned for great rock hooks, ironic lyrics and an iconic frontwoman in singer Debbie Harry.

Among the band’s six UK number ones were classics such as Heart Of Glass, Sunday Girl, Call Me and Atomic, and they have had a string of other smash hits, including their 1999 comeback chart-topper Maria.

Blondie last appeared in Liverpool three years ago, when they played at the Philharmonic Hall.

Harry, 62, said today: “Liverpool is a great city – we can’t wait to be back.”

Blondie will share the bill with fellow icons The Stranglers, described as probably the most enduring band of the UK punk/new wave era, with hits including Golden Brown, Always The Sun, Peaches and 96 Tears.

Bands including Blur, Suede, Hole and Pavement have cited The Stranglers as an influence.

Blondie and The Stranglers first came to Liverpool in the 1970s, playing at world-famous club Eric’s.

Stranglers bass guitarist John-Jacques Burnell said: “We played at the opening night more than 30 years ago, so we have got fond memories of Liverpool.

“As a band, we may have seen many changes in our career over the years.”

Blondie and The Stranglers appear at the Summer Pops on Tuesday July 22.

Line-up so far

July 1 – Simply Red

July 2 – Meat Loaf

July 4 – The Australian Pink Floyd Show

July 8 – Counting Crows

July 9 – Crowded House

July 11 – Deacon Blue

July 12 – Diana Ross

July 15 – Def Leppard, Whitesnake & Thunder

July 19 – Michael Ball

July 20 - Michael Bublé

July 22 - Blondie/The Stranglers

July 25 - Jools Holland

July 26 – The Australian Pink Floyd Show

Link: Liverpool Echo - 29th March 2008