Blondie to Receive NME's Godlike Genius Award

The BBC has reported: US band Blondie are to collect an award for their life's work at the NME Awards in London later this month.

The veteran group, who are celebrating their 40th year together, will receive the magazine's 'Godlike Genius' award at a ceremony on 26 February.

"It's out of proportion, but it's nice to be recognised," said lead singer Debbie Harry.

"I find it particularly interesting that there aren't many Americans who've been given this award before, so that's flattering," added Harry.

Blondie last charted a number one hit in 1999 with their single, "Maria" from the No Exit album. "Maria" failed to be a hit in the USA, unfortunately, peaking at # 82 on Billboard's Hot 100. The song has a devoted cult following, however, judging by audience requests shouted to the band at Blondie's 2013 Roseland concert.

New Musical Express ("NME") is a British  pop/rock magazine published since 1952. It turns 62 in March.

Blondie, the NYC-based musical group, is best known for their songs, "Heart of Glass," "Call Me," "Hanging on the Telephone," "Rapture," "Atomic," "The Tide Is High" among many others.

Mike Williams, editor at NME, stated that the band was chosen in their 40th anniversary year and stated, "They rewrote the rule book in the late '70s by dragging punk rock to the top of the charts."
Williams added that Harry, 68, is "the most iconic front-woman rock 'n' roll has ever produced."

In 2006, Blondie was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and inducted into the Rock Walk of Fame on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood as well.

According to Wikipedia regarding Blondie's latest double-album: "Ghosts of Download" will be released in a 2-disc package entitled "Blondie 4(0) Ever" which will celebrate the band's fortieth anniversary with the new album and a collection of Blondie's hit singles re-recorded and remixed in 2013. The band's official worldwide 40th anniversary tour will begin in February 2014 and span many countries, shows and continents.

Accepting NME's Godlike Genius Award, Blondie will also perform at the ceremony February 26th at O2 Academy in Brixton, south London.