I remember many people when referring to Blondie, were actually talking about Debbie Harry. However, she may have been the face and frontwoman but there were many more pieces that made the group click. Chris Stein was definitely a driving force. I just finished reading Chris Stein's memoir "Under A Rock," which made me realize that even though they came out of a punk / new wave movement, they were much more eclectic in their artistic endeavors. It made me want to know more about Chris Stein the artist as much as the musician.
Growing up in Brooklyn, New York, and later living in Manhattan and upstate New York, Stein's struggles with addiction are honestly dealt with by the author. Dealing with death and cats were also a major part of his life. His relationship with Debbie Harry, as well as his love for the city, shine through in his prose. His memorialization of certain venues and buildings that no longer exist is something I find myself doing on occasion.
While at a Penny Arcade show at the Knitting Factory with Romy Ashby, Stein recalls how he met his future wife Barbara. The reforming of Blondie after the band had already topped the charts with strong albums is spoken about in a no-holds-barred way, as well as a member dispute at their Hall Of Fame ceremony involving litigation.
This book is a must-read for a Blondie fan or someone who loves reading about the trials and tribulations of keeping it together while attaining stardom. Sometimes, even those involved in a big venture don't understand what they have really achieved!
