Debbie Harry & Andy Warhol @ Brentano’s
June 16, 1979
By Madeline Bocaro ©
Debbie Harry was on the cover of Andy Warhol’s Interview Magazine in June 1979. She and Andy did a magazine signing at a Brentano’s book store in my neighborhood of Roslyn, Long Island. It wasn’t well advertised so nobody was there but us! During the three hours that Debbie and Andy were at the store, about five suburban shoppers cautiously approached to see who they were, and they did not even care at all. This literally happened in 1979! Today, things would be much different!
Blondie had recently played some dates on the Hunter/Ronson tour, so I had often spoken with Debbie during sound checks. She remembered me and was very sweet. We chatted like fan girls about Mick Ronson – Debbie was fascinated that he was my friend.
Debbie looked fantastic that day in her yellow dress with orange, yellow and black shoes with fab heels. I asked her where to get thigh-high boots (I wanted the ones Bowie wore on The 1980 Floor Show). She said to try Bergdoff’s or Charles Jourdan. (I finally got them!)
We talked incessantly about fashion (Fiorucci!) NYC bands, about our adoration of Bowie and Iggy Pop and about upcoming concerts. Andy looked on and nodded his head, interjecting an occasional, “Oh WOW! REALLY???!!” This was at a time when we would literally bump into Andy on the streets of NYC (he could never see where he was going!) or find him shopping at Fiorucci or Bloomingdales or even sit next to him at a concert. It’s amazing that he did not have tight security, especially after he was shot at the Factory in 1968!
Blondie tapes had been playing for hours and Debbie said, “Get this shit off and put on some Bowie!’ I told her that there was a record shop next door, so she gave me $10 to go & buy Diamond Dogs and we played that instead.
My friend took photos and Andy’s assistant gave me a Polaroid that he took of me with Debbie & Andy! Debbie autographed my picture bracelet of her (it was Andy’s idea).
Those were the days!
Photos:
Very cool! I saw Debbie perform with a jazz group at a club in the 90’s and she was very approachable and nice.
Great story ! Love the photos too ! Debbie is still stunning and a great singer !
Thanks very much Corinne! Glad to have you aboard! Madeline xxx
My husband and I were there on that day in 1979 at Brentano’s in Manhasset; we were living on Long Island then and always liked walking and dining on the Miracle Mile!
We also have an Interview mag that Debbie Harry and Andy Warhol both signed! It is framed and hung in our den here in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago. We were both thrilled to meet Andy and Debbie but we also remember being surprised that there wasn’t a larger crowd in Brentano’s Book Store that day.
Teri and Joel D.
How cool that you were there too! Now I can be sure that I wasn’t dreaming!!
Those were the days!!
Incredible story, Madeline! Love those photos of you with her. I adore Debbie, so I get a vicarious thrill knowing you had this time with her. Joseph Fleury told me Blondie were fans of Sparks but I’ve never seen or heard them mention it in any interviews. Did you ever ask Debbie about the boys? “Rip Her To Shreds”, one of my all time faves, has some instrumental bits that remind me of “Big Boy”, or should it be vice versa, since they came out in the same year and maybe Blondie’s song was released first?
Thanks Peter! No, I never discussed Sparks with Debbie. Interesting comparison between the 2 songs though!
So glad you posted this. My middle aged mom was there and got autographed mags for me and my brother. She did say nobody was there and she felt bad for them having no crowd. Mine is hanging at home. I guess Mr Warhol did these events, and I’ve seen these mags of interview sell for some money depending on whose pic/autograph. I saw one was hanging at a Dali exhibit a few years ago at the Atlanta High Museum.
So cool that your mom was there too! Thanks for your comment!