We’ve been rather spoiled when it comes to London photography exhibitions on legendary musicians lately. Late last year, we saw snaps by Scarlet Page of Bowie, Courtney Love, and many more, with an exhibition of The Rolling Stones shots by Gus Coral also arriving this year. Now, it’s time to marvel at the rare photos of New Wave icons Blondieas a display of shots of the band in New York in the seventies arrives in the city.
Debbie Harry & co. are the subject of photographs by Martyn goddardwho went behind the scenes with the band in the Big Apple in 1978, the same year they released their seminal record, Parallel Lines. These are set to go on display next month in London, at an exhibition titled Blondie In Camera 1978which will also feature posters, album covers, and concert memorabilia alongside the photography.
Blondie In Camera 1978
The display will hit the Barbican on August 14and will be completely free to visit until January next year. It shows off shots of the band backstage, in the studio, and on stage, and coincides with Martyn Goddard’s book of the same title. He will be on hand to sign copies at the Barbican on selected dates throughout the 50-photo display’s run.
The exhibition comes after the passing of Blondie drummer Clem Burke, who lost his life to cancer in April this year at the age of 70.
Speaking on the exhibition, Martyn Goddard said: “When I boarded the plane in May 1978 to photograph Blondie’s lead singer, Debbie Harry, in New York, I could not have conceived that there would still be a demand for my images over 45 years later. Those assignments produced a body of work that resulted in magazine cover stories, album and single covers, tour programmes, posters, a book, and two photo exhibitions.
“Blondie in Camera 1978 at Barbican Music Library is my visual record of those images and memorabilia collected during a seminal time in the band’s history, and I hope that visitors to the exhibition will enjoy being reminded of the band’s energy, rawness, and style.”
Interested in heading to this? Just Call Me – but Don’t Leave Me Hanging On The Telephone.
Blondie In Camera 1978 will go on display for free at the Barbican Music Library on August 14, 2025 and will run until January 5, 2026.
