Deborah Harry (Hardcover) by Cathay Che (Author)



Product Details

* Hardcover: 16 pages
* Publisher: Fromm Intl; 1st Fromm International Ed edition (May 2000)
* Language: English
* ISBN-10: 0880642181
* ISBN-13: 978-0880642187
* Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1 inches
* Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds

Click Here to Purchase



Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
A contributing editor at Time Out New York and frequent writer for pop culture rags such as Details and Interview, Che pays fun and frothy homage to multitalented pop icon Deborah Harry. Fans who have read Harry's own 1982 autobiography, Making Tracks, may not find much new grist here (unless you deem noteworthy the kudos of such contemporary hipsters as Shirley Manson, RuPaul and Theo Kogan of the Lunachicks). However, Che does mix her gushing about Harry's sex appeal, artistry, music and film career with some weighted analysis and original interviews--with Harry herself; members of Blondie, the band that brought Harry to the forefront in the late '70s; Blondie's unscrupulous ex-manager, Peter Leeds; and an eclectic cast of fans, friends and colleagues. Che also discusses the impact of Blondie's recent reunion, as well as some of Harry's lesser known feats, including her Broadway debut in Teaneck Tanzi: The Venus Flytrap, costarring the late comedian Andy Kaufman. Mostly, though, the book is a breezy, gossipy read. Those who aren't entrenched in pop culture might miss out on the copious references to New York fashion designers and scenesters (e.g., who is Ashley Heath, who notes, "That safety gear, knee-pad look she wore is just so Helmut Lang"?), but Che's lesson on Harry is loud and clear; as Fred Schneider of the band the B-52's says, "She's a goddess, in your face and in your ears." 16 pages of b&w photos. (May)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
On the eve of last year's Blondie reunion, Harry told Che, a contributing editor at Time Out New York, that her physical appearance accounts for 50 percent of her success. Unfortunately, here, Che does not critically assess Harry's other underrated half--her songwriting flare and proto-girl-power feminism. With downtown Manhattan as cultural backdrop, Che rehashes Harry's hippy stint in Wind in the Willows, the formation and breakup of Blondie, her B-movie and C-solo careers, her influential style, and, ultimately, the beatific blondeness of being. Although Che gave much-bad-mouthed ex-Blondie manager Peter Leeds the chance to blow off some steam, this is basically an extended, gushing celebrity magazine profile (indeed, it started as one); photographers (David LaChapelle), writers (Robert Christgau), and other musicians sing their praises between Che's thin entences. Alas, someone has yet to articulate Harry's intelligence--and her real musical achievements--as has been done for Patti Smith or Mick Jagger. This is recommended, however, because it is the first work to acknowledge Harry's tremendous influence on current female and male performers.
-Heather McCormack, "Library Journal"
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.