A free exhibition showing the life of the pop group, Blondie, on their 1978 tour has gone on display at the Barbican.
Photographer Martyn Goddard, who was commissioned to record the band’s return to New York in 1978, has selected 50 prints – shot during four major photo assignments in New York – of the band in concert, backstage in the recording studio, and during photo sessions.
The exhibition also includes poster prints, album covers, tour and concert memorabilia, period cameras, and photographic equipment owned by Goddard.
His famous photo of Debbie Harry licking (he says kissing) an LP is here, along with the LP itself, and an explanation about the boss of Atlantic Records shows that photo to every band he signs. The LP cover is also reversed – as you can see from the original, which is also on display.
Blondie’s PR agent, Alan Edwards, has also loaned items for the exhibition, while Morgan Howell, an artist who makes large-scale replicas of record singles, has provided a very large Heart of Glass.
Apart from the photos, there’s a lot of ephemera in the display cases, from newspaper clippings to records and early book proofs.
As with a lot of these genres of exhibitions, you’re not coming away having learned anything about the history of the group or its output – it’s mainly a collection for the existing fans.
But if you are a Debbie Harry / Blondie fan, then you’re likely to love it.
The exhibition, Blondie in Camera 1978 is at the Barbican Art Centre’s music library until 5th January 2026 and is free to visit.
Opening Hours
Mon: 9.30am – 5.30pm
Tue: 9.30am – 7.30pm
Wed: 9.30am – 5.30pm
Thu: 9.30am – 7.30pm
Fri: 9.30am – 5.30pm
Sat: 9.30am – 4.00pm
Sun & Bank Holidays: Closed
