Jimmy Destri

Television bassist Fred Smith, a foundational figure of the New York punk and art rock movement, has died at the age of 77, leaving behind a body of work that helped define one of the most influential bands to emerge from CBGB in the 1970s.

Blondie will mark the 26th anniversary of their 1999 comeback album No Exit with a newly remastered and expanded edition, out 31 October on digital, CD and vinyl formats for the first time. The release includes the previously unheard No Exit (Urban Version Main Mix), a striking blend of gothic hip hop, punk, and orchestral energy that reunites Debbie Harry with the late Coolio in a fierce lyrical exchange recalling the band's trailblazing 1981 hit Rapture.

Victor Stranges will once again perform the music of The Clash and Blondie in a Black Market Clash and The Songs of Blondie show scheduled for Belgrave, outside Melbourne on June 22.

The Sex Pistols dedicated their latest concert to Blondie drummer Clem Burke.

Clem Burke, the drummer for Blondie and played on every Blondie album, has died from cancer. Clem had kept his cancer battle private.

Blondie and The Clash never performed together on the same bill. While both bands were influential at the same time in the late 70s, there is no record of Blondie (from New York) or (from London) playing or recording together.

After performing the songs of Elvis Costello for the last couple of years in Melbourne, Victor Stranges next musical tribute will be ‘Atomic: The Songs of Blondie’.