Making Tracks: The Rise of Blondie

by Debbie Harry, Chris Stein, Victor Bockris

In the photographs of Chris Stein and words of Debbie Harry, Making Tracks details the story of Blondie, whose career propelled them from the depths of the Bowery to international renown as the hottest rock group in the world. Victor Bockris aided in the formation of the text and selection of photographs, which also provides an intimate portrait of the unique collaboration between Debbie and Chris.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Biography, Female Authors, Memoir, Rock N Roll, Photography

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

Deborah Ann Harry is a Golden Globe-nominated and Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter and actress most famous for being the lead singer for the punk rock/new wave band Blondie. She has also had some success as a solo artist, recording five solo albums and has sold more then 7 million records. In the mid 1990s she also performed and recorded as part of the Jazz Passengers. Harry has also engaged in an acting career with over 30 film roles and several television appearances to her credit.

Reviews

[David Highton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really interesting book which I discovered on Scribd written by Debbie Harry with photos by Chris Stein covers the period up to 1981. I read it because I have got a copy of Face It, her autobiography, and thought I would read this first.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story of one of my favorite bands interlaced with lots of photos. Funny anecdotes are mixed with lots of dry stuff in between.

Physical format which resembles a glossy magazine more than a book is certainly not what I hope to see more often.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who knew that when I first heard "Here's Looking at You" in 1980 that it would lead to a life-long love of Big Band? (I wish she would have discussed individual songs more.)

[Barry Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

The inside story from the band themselves. How could I not give it 5 stars...mine was a wedding present from a friend of the band and is autographed by them.

[Anne Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

My partner gave me this to read after I was disappointed with Debbie Harrys recent memoir, Face It.
I enjoyed it so much more - the stories had more depth, the photos are terrific.

[Andrea Janov · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book feels like you are having a conversation with Debbie Harry while looking through Chris Stein's photographs. Sometimes they match up, some times they don't, always telling stories.

[patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looking forward to reading Chris Stein's newest book (Chris Stein/Negative) which according to a few reviews is sort of a continuation of Making Tracks, published in the early '80s. Making Tracks is a memoir of the early days, written with an early 80's perspective which I really dug. It's honest and straightforward. Bonus points for the many cool photographs, many of which I had not seen before.

[David Cerda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book with a lot of ink given to people that never lived long enough to realize their full potential. This came out near the end of Blondie when it was first published. You get the feeling that so much more could have been said but Debbie and Chris are smart and funny so it;s well worth the read and the photographs by Chris Stein are remarkable.

[Roanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have an earlier edition of this. The definitive book on Blondie, Deb, Chris, and the phenomenon that was that band. Great photos, many by Chris Stein in a very intimate behind-the-scenes capture of their lives at home and on the road. Simply put, this is fabulous.

[Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

random pics of debbie harry being the mediocre woman she was, and randoms like sousie sioux in a swatztika arm band.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

when i was a wee 16 yr old, debby harry learned me on how to be fierce. i love her.

[Missmmking · Rating 5 out of 5]

Debbie Harry is a great writer and she and I are both born on July 1st. I almost like this better than Patti Smith Just Kids.