ALMOST 40 years since they burst on to the pop scene with a string of mega hits, iconic band Blondie are back in the UK with a countryside summer tour.
And next Friday they turn up at Westonbirt Arboretum to play to an already sold out gig to a packed arena of old and new fans.
With hits like Denis, Heart of Glass, Picture This and Atomic, Blondie dominated the charts during the late '70s and early '80s.
Blondie emerged from New York's celebrated new wave scene producing innovative music with catchy tunes and a wide appeal.
With blonde bombshell Debbie Harry up front, supported by her partner Chris Stein, drummer Clem Burke, keyboard player Jimmy Destri and bassist Gary Valentine, the band took the charts by storm.
They notched up a string of hit singles and albums, including Plastic Letters, Parallel Lines and Eat to the Beat, with Harry's signature voice.
With a style of music described as a mix between new wave and punk rock, the band broke up in 1982 but reformed 15 years later with renewed success and a US number one single Maria.
Harry pursued a solo career after the initial break-up of the band, but was never as successful.
Few acts can match their 20 year span of number ones from Heart Of Glass, Sunday Girl, Atomic, Call Me and The Tide Is High.
Their singles success complemented by 40 million plus album sales has ensured worldwide superstar status for this pioneering band.
And it seems the passing years haven't dulled the appeal of Blondie as tickets to the seven forestry commission gigs have sold in all but one venue.
This special tour of the nation's woodlands is part of the Forestry Commission's annual concert series Forest Live.
Also lined up to appear at Westonbirt this summer are Paloma Faith, who performs tomorrow evening, and Jools Holland.
Supporting Blondie on Friday night will be British alt rock band The Lightning Seeds, famous for, among others, the Three Lions song, the official anthem for the English football team for Euro 96.
Ian Broudie and the band will be performing an acoustic set of their hit pop songs including Pure, Lucky You and Change.
For more information about Forest Live visit www.forestry.gov.uk/music