FEATURE:
Rumours/Will Anything Happen?
IN THIS PHOTO: Blondie’s Debbie Harry in 2019/PHOTO CREDIT: Ann Lawlor
Revisiting My Dream Two Music Biopics
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I have written about this…
IN THIS PHOTO: John McVie, Christine McVie, Stevie Nicks, Mick Fleetwood, and Lindsey Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac circa 1977/PHOTO CREDIT: Richard Creamer/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
a few times but, as I think more and more about it, there are a couple of music biopics and films that I would love to see. I know that Blondie’s lead, Debbie Harry, has supported the idea of a Blondie biopic. She has even imagined who might play her. Whilst some artists might be a bit too precious and guarded about themselves to allow a film to be made, that is not the case with Blondie. The legendary band are still touring, and Debbie Harry remains this icon. One of the most compelling and influential artists ever, having any film where she is being portrayed and is at the centre would be essential viewing. There have been Blondie documentaries and related films, though there has not been a biopic or anything that revolves around their music as far as I know. It seems like the perfect time to capitalise on the fact that Blondie have been touring and there is news that they are making new music. I cannot wait to hear the New York band’s follow-up to 2017’s Pollinator. Blondie’s third studio album, Parallel Lines, recently turned forty-four. In terms of time period, I am not sure whether there would be a biopic or film about the band’s origins and them playing around New York up until their eponymous album of 1976. In terms of the most successful era of Blondie, I guess the 1977-1978 era of Plastic Letters and Parallel Lines would be a good focus.
I guess it is hard to paint a picture of Blondie’s legacy and brilliance in a single film. I think focusing on a certain period would be good. Maybe it would be the early days and a look at how the band got together and rose. At the height of their popularity at Parallel Lines, it would be fascinating looking inside their world. Titles sort of suggest themselves. Sunday Girl (from Parallel Lines) or Atomic (from 1979’s Eat to the Beat). I think that a biopic around the band in general could work, but it is clear that Debbie Harry would be at the front. That said, Clem Burke, James Destri and Chris Stein would be integral. It is their chemistry and connection that makes the music unique and timeless. There is also the possibility of putting Debbie Harry as the subject. Making a film about her. Possibly based around her memoir, Face It, it could be a life/career-spanning film that portrays her at different times with a different actor taking on different ages, if you see what I mean? That would be something fascinating to watch! I do not know whether she would want something so personal on the screen, but the subject and narrative arc would be fascinating. There is a third option when it comes to Blondie’s music. Similar to what happened with Bruce Springsteen’s work on Blinded by the Light, the music can be used as a soundtrack to a larger and different story.
IN THIS PHOTO: Hayley Williams/PHOTO CREDIT: Lindsey Byrnes
By that, I mean there could be a fictional romance or anything that is scored by Blondie. Apologies if I am repeating what I have written before but, with such a rich catalogue, a Blondie musical film would also be interesting. Classics like Rapture, Heart of Glass, Call Me, and Dreaming could score a coming-of-age film or something similar. It would be interesting to imagine! As much as anything, I do feel there is a demand and desire to see something like a Blondie biopic. The fact that Debbie Harry would not be adverse means that the band could give it their blessing and backing. Maybe something is in the works, but I would like to think there is an opportunity for someone to write something now. As I say, the band are working on new material. In fact, there is an interview with the band in the new Classic Pop. Always relevant and popular, the mighty Blondie warrant a big screen salute. It is exciting who could play the band members. I mooted before how Margot Robbie would be a great Debbie Harry, but I am not sure whether Robbie is too tall or looks similar enough – though resemblance is not as important as getting the role right. Maybe Elizabeth Olsen or, if you want an artist, then Hayley Williams (Paramore) seems to stand out! Maybe Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish or Rebecca Lucy Taylor (a.k.a. Self Esteem)? I think Williams would fit in terms of age/height and looks, but actors like Robbie and Olsen would also fit. In terms of casting, getting Harry right is perhaps the most important thing. Madonna is directing her own biopic and Julia Garner will play the Pop queen. Maybe Blondie would audition the actors to play them!
Moving onto another biopic or film that I would love to see, I have talked about Fleetwood Mac’s classic 1977 album, Rumours. We all know the tracks from the album, but the story of its recording is as compelling and interesting. The band were at loggerheads and divided. Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham were splitting and not on good terms. Christine McVie and John McVie were also parting and going through struggles, and Mick Fleetwood was in the middle and facing his own problems. There was not great communication during recording, plus there was excess in terms of drug-taking. It is a wonder that the album got made at all! Not only did it get made, but it is an undeniable classic that ranks alongside the all-time best! I would love to see this come to the big screen. I am not sure whether the band would authorise it. Buckingham was fired from the band, and I am not sure whether they are remaining active. Their last tour date was a while ago, plus I do not think they have plans to record another album. That wouldn’t be an obstacle. They do not need to be an ongoing concern to generate interest and connect. Everyone knows who Fleetwood Mac are, and the Rumours album is one of the best-known. In fact, when it comes to vinyl sales, Rumours is always on the chart. People cannot get enough of this classic! The songs are all superb and the album as a whole is one that should be preserved for all time. Seeing the recording of it dramatised would be so fascinating!
It would need the band approval so, unlike the Blondie biopic, maybe it would be more difficult to get green-lit. Regardless, you never can bet against it. It is rare that an album recording gets made for the big screen, but Rumours is unlike anything else. It would not only be about the controversies and tensions. Looking inside the studio and hearing those songs come to life would hook Fleetwood Mac fans and new converts alike. There is triumph and success alongside the more difficult times. Maybe calling the film Dreams or Don’t Stop (two of the best songs on the album) would be a good fit here. I think that there would be demand and popularity. If the tone was right and the story was honest and balanced, then you could get a great film that would win critics and fans. I am not sure who could play the band but, like Blondie, you could either have existing musicians or actors filling the roles. If the band were supportive of the idea, then I could imagine they’d be invested in the casting. Such a standout and timeless album, the story of Rumours’ recording and release is one that could make for such a brilliant film. Let us see what happens and whether that is a possibility.
There are always going to be music biopics and films, and they can be good and bring people in, or they hide the truth and tend to be a bit flat. Of course, getting the tone right and finding the right actors is always difficult. Fleetwood Mac are a band that I don’t think have been portrayed on the big screen. Going inside Rumours and seeing that portrayed would really draw in the crowds I think. Similarly, a Blondie biopic seems long overdue. Consider some of the artists who have been put on the big screen, and I feel few could argue against a Blondie biopic! Actor-wise, it is tough to narrow down who could play the iconic Debbie Harry. Both of these legendary bands have made such a difference in music and they are both very different but hugely popular. Neither band are niche or have had their time, and their music will influence and inspire artists for years to come. With such remarkable and fascinating musicians in both bands, there could be these electric and memorable biopics. Both would be set in the 1970s, I guess. Unless you did a career-spanning Blondie biopic, each would have an American setting in the late-1970s. That is such an interesting time in general but, like I mentioned with Blondie and a film that uses their music as a soundtrack, you could have Rumours scoring a fictional film – though I think one set around the making of the album would be better. I am not sure whether there are plans to make films about Blondie or Fleetwood Mac, but I love the fact that Debbie Harry would be quite invested in who plays her and what comes about! Nothing is rumoured at the moment but, when it comes to these two classic bands and their wonderful music, biopics need to come to the big screen…
ONE way or another.