NewsBlondie box set ‘moved to 2022’
More delays for the box set first announced in 2018
Fans are set to be disappointed AGAIN as the saga of the long-promised Blondie box set continues, with band drummer Clem Burke tweeting about further delays.
The box set, which we were told in August last year was “coming soon”, has been confirmed by Blondie as including “extensive liner notes and essays, complete discography and historical photographic history hard cover books plus rare unreleased bonus material”. It was expected on CD and vinyl in 2021, but due to vinyl production capacity issues – first highlighted by SDE back in April – the record company appear to be pushing it back to next year. See Clem’s tweet below:
This is not the first delay either. The history of the Blondie box set goes right back to 2018.
THE BLONDIE BOX SET TIMELINE
- Sep 2018: Complete Studio Recordings 1975-1982 announced for the “fall of 2019”
- Oct 2018: ‘Heart of Glass’ 12″ issued to whet fans’ appetites
- Aug 2020: No news for nearly two years, then the band post on their website that “The first Blondie archival box set coming in 2021”
- Feb 2021: A graphic novel (by Z2 Comics), Against The Odds is announced. The $500 super deluxe pre-order includes a “very special Blondie music bundle”. This graphic novel is expected “in the fall of 2021”
- May 2021: Clem Burke tweets that the box set is “definitely” coming out in August 2021
- July 2021: Clem Burke tweets that “Unfortunately due to vinyl production delays it looks like release date moved to 2022”.
How does this impact the graphic novel?
Anyone who has ordered the very expensive super deluxe edition of the Against The Odds graphic novel (which offers “an imaginative take on an oral history of the band, interspersed with artistic interpretations of 10 songs from their catalog”) has a right to be concerned. It is not clear what the relationship between the forthcoming box set and the “very special Blondie music bundle” that comes with the super deluxe edition is, but some purchasers have assumed – given the cost – that this super deluxe version of the graphic novel is going to ship with the very box set we have been waiting for. If that is indeed the case, then clearly Blondie can not deliver Against All Odds in the fall of 2021 when the box has gone back to 2022 (although ominously there’s a disclaimer on the Z2 Comics site that reads: “Blondie music elements will be shipped separately”)
Also, while vinyl production delays can’t be solved with a wave of a magic wand, UMC do have the option of releasing the box set in 2021 on CD (where there are no such problems) and only delaying the vinyl edition. Not ideal from their point of view, admittedly, but what about fans who have been waiting since late 2018?
What do Blondie have to say about this?
SDE has reached out to Blondie’s representatives for clarification on these issues, but in the meantime fans will have no choice but to wait and just hope that the box set happens at some point, one way or another.
What are your thoughts on this situation. Leave a comment or vote on the SDE poll below.
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Hello everyone. We had to wait so long for this set and now it’s hard to pay for. I went to so many sites to get discount codes for Z2 Comics, but all the codes I got didn’t work. I will have to pay about 150 EUR extra for import and fees, so it would be very helpful if there was a discount code. If any of you have a Z2 Comics discount code, I would be extremely grateful. Except that the box is unspeakably expensive, you know nothing about the “special music bundle”. Is this a vinyl set? is it on CD or both? How many discs…tracklist? we just have no info at all.For other boxes like that, artists sent out discount codes to fans, but as I said none of the codes I found was working. Seems like I have to pre-order without any savings :-( Greetings Mario
Just been trawling the internet to see if I could find any news on the forever delayed Blondie box set and came across a website: the music universe.com that gives it a release date of August.
Stay tuned….
So the news is good, it is in the production stage!!
FOR A Bit OF FUN!!! How many formats will it be in?
Vinyl – vinyl box set, multiple 12 or 45 box sets, coloured vinyl multiple colours only available from specific sites
CD – standard box set, deluxe edition, super deluxe edition, ultimate deluxe with exclusive only downloads
Cassettes
Digital – iTunes exclusive, band website exclusives, the rarest tracks only available on at a very high price
T-Shirts – XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL
Posters
Region Specific – Europe, Japan, USA, Australia etc etc
The risk they’re running with all these announcements and delays is they keep raising the bar in terms of what it’s going to take for the set to be considered “worth it.” If they’d released this when originally announced, people probably would have been happy with remastered albums, b-sides and maybe a disc of some unreleased and hard-to-find stuff. By now, after five years of waiting, it’s going to need to be Cadillac-level or people are going to be disappointed. “I waited all this time for THIS?” If they delay to 2023, it will need at least three lost albums, the entire catalogue in 5.1, Debbie’s solo catalogue in a separate, bundled box set, and a price point under $50, or there will be people who are REALLY angry. And anything in the way of a “premium” edition will need to be hand-delivered by a band member.
As far as the mystery “music bundle” with the graphic novel–nope. Never falling for that again after the crap with NIN and the “physical component.” I want to know what I’m paying for before I buy it. I don’t care if the Beatles summon George and John from the dead and record a new triple album–I want to know what I’m paying for before I’m dropping money on it. If it’s announced as “new Beatles item,” I’m not buying it. The little “music bundle* (TBA)” could just as easily be a download link to the already available catalog or a new greatest hits album, and they can decide that on their own after they already have your money, because you acknowledged you were buying it “sight unseen.”
Looking at the proposed product details, it looks underwhelming. 2 discs of b sides etc. So that’s all the previous material from other campaign issues taken care of, so unreleased possibly could amount to 1 or 2 tracks and a big hardback book thrown in. Interestingly will Heart of Glass on Parallel Lines be the original or disco mix?
That a product whose content is around 40+ years old could somehow be beset by delays is peak 2021… zeesh.
I would assume delays could possibly be inner band arguments.
It would be nice if they would re-master and release the Hammersmith 1980 concert. It’s the only Blondie I ever listen to, as it’s basically perfect!
Didn’t Harry and Stein sell their rights to the songs recently? I wonder if that creates some legal wrangling. But I’d agree with some of the other comments, that getting the CD box out would be good and vinyl when it’s ready. Though I can understand there’s probably some marketing strategy behind it all. Announcing what’s going to be on it would be nice, after all, if the vinyl production is what is holding it up, then they must have decided what is actually going to be produced. They can always put a disclaimer on it right…* Actual tracklisting subject to change etc. :)
I just like the fact that this article has a band photo in which 3/4 of the primary subjects (not including one tucked away) are no longer in the band…
That’s the predominant line-up of the era the box set represents.
I am aware of that. The photo has been corrected, but when I posted the above comment, the right hand side was cropped so Debbie was absent and Chris barely visible.
Personally I am only going to get the CD box so I wish they would just release that, with the vinyl to follow next year.
I forget about this elusive box most of the time to be honest but I find it almost ridiculous they’ve been literally taunting fans for years now. I bet you they are waiting for fans to turn in rare material like they asked for on social media some time ago lol.
However it’s true that they are now delaying it simply because Taylor Swift and Lorde are clogging up the pressing plants with their 237 versions of their color vinyls then I’m also irritated because there is no reason to delay a CD and digital release because you can’t release the vinyl at the same time.
Actually, most of the time now the vinyls are released at a separate time, often not even advertised as being released down the line, which results in multiple sales for double dippers, not to mention spreading the expenses and allowing fans to purchase more than one version. So, I think they are not being honest here.
Better late than never, I always say.
Was Vinny Vero working on this by chance ?
That’s an extraordinarily atypical photo of Blondie. Is that Debbie Harry on the street corner below?
That’s exactly what I wondered at first, but no, she’s right there on the Hotel Chelsea’s balcony with the boys…the site’s page template is just cropping it square. Right-click on it and select ‘Open image in new tab’.
That was playing havoc with my OCD so I have re-cropped it!
I was wondering why there was a picture of Blondie without Debbie. Mystery solved – and my OCD also pacified :)
Though, as the title of one of their earlier compilations (or maybe it was a live album, I forget) will remind you, “Blondie is the Name of a Band.” LOL
Oh well, it’s nice to have something to look forward to. There are so many things I’m waiting for right now it’s just one more for the queue. I am curious what delayed it from ‘18-‘19 though, might have missed the gossip.
Will anything happen, or does this fade away and radiate?
I purchased a vinyl box set of the first 6 albums in 2016 for NZ$121.04, which is about 60 quid using today’s exchange rate (wouldn’t that be considered an archival boxed set also?) – I doubt this new set will be anywhere as low as that price. Coincidentally I was looking at it just 2 days ago. Admittedly there were no bonus tracks, but I’m not going to shell out the, what will likely be inflated, price just to get those and a few essays. I’ll stick with what I have.
Considering all the delays I hope the box turns out well and includes all B-sides, the remastering is good, and there’s enough interesting unreleased material.
Why not release the CD box with the promise the vinyl will come later. Why do they have to release them at the same time? The vinyl production issue is a very serious issue. Surprised someone doesn’t open another printing plant as there is money to be made clearly.
I guess that they then have to spend £££ to publicise the release twice or risk the vinyl boxset being forgotten in the shuffle next year as everyone has moved on when the cd set & the streaming version have already been out for 9 months. Setting up a pressing plant isn’t something you can do in a month – you’re talking years rather than months & huge investment.
Looking at other “bundles” offered with the comics , like the Joan Jett one priced at roughly the same $$$ from the same publisher , I’s guess it is very likely the mystery music item will just be a 7″..
This is getting ridiculous. I’ve been following a thread over on Hoffman just to stay up to date with when this fabled myth of a box set might materialise – I think the thread started before I was even born. I heard a few days back about the 2022 tweet. I’m glad the CD release aspect been mentioned, maybe we should all tweet Clem about just releasing the darned CD box as planned & the darned records whenever the darned things finally appear as solid objects. If Blondie had managed their career in the 70s/80s this way we wouldn’t even have heard of them.
Defeat your impatience you must young padawan…
I have been waiting forever for Jimmy Destri’s solo album Heart on a Wall to be released on CD. It is excellent.
To me it’s a bit moot. I have every Blondie album released on CD [and the first 6 on original vinyl] and happy to listen to them as is. There cannot be that much in the vault – unless they were as prolific as Prince….
I know it possibly goes against the SDE ethic but adding comics and other bells and whistles does nothing for me – that’s marketting. For me, it’s about the music Blondie created.
I’ve always been a casual fan, so I just have the hits on my hard drive. But I will definitely pick this up when it finally comes out, as I’m beginning to really get into and appreciate the late 70s/early 80s New Wave artists, even more so than when I was a kid. If I could have Blondie, Devo, and B-52’s SDE discographies on my shelf, I’d be a happy camper. And I agree: an SDE should be music, and a big-ass book. I don’t need posters, or replica backstage passes, or bobbleheads.
Z2 – Where Music + Comics Collide – Unlike Newbury comics ? I am intrigured as to the graphic novel contents which are detailed on Z2 & Rolling Stone website interview. I have read the Gary Valentine New York Rocker & managed to get a signed copy of the Debbie Harry autobiography (from a scalper). Freddie Mercury will have graphic novel published soon and Elvis costello / Muse both had a graphic novel in a deluxe box set. Is this a new marketing trend and is there a book which details this synergy ?
You could fit The Smiths entire recorded output in that gap.
Meet this Blondie box at the cemetery gates as you arrive for your own burial
So, these CD and vinyl sets were definitely stated as being discreet releases were they? Just wondered if the delay is due to a decision to make them one mixed media set instead. So it would become a CD box set with a vinyl element or the other way round? That might explain why the CD set isn’t going ahead before the vinyl one. Just a thought.
Originally (2018) they were.
I, and I am sure many others, can’t justify mixed media sets so I hope CD and vinyl are kept separate. Would love something special to make this a no brainer purchase such as hi-res on Blu-rays, or even a 5.1 mix or 6. Dreaming, I know.
Regarding the “music bundle” with the Graphic Novel, Z2Comics have always stated this on their website.
Items bundled with the Graphic Novel are subject to change or cancellation at any time by Z2 Comics. In the event that a bundled item is changed or cancelled, Z2 Comics will notify you of the change, and allow you the opportunity to cancel your order. Purchaser assumes the risk of any such change or cancellation *Blondie music elements will be shipped separately.
I’m still excited at the prospect of this release especially as it now appears to be called Blondie 1974-1982: Against the Odds. The thought of unreleased music from 1974-1976 is worth any wait!
Vinyl production issues seems to be the big problem right now…
That proviso notwithstanding, it’s ridiculous to ‘sell’ fans something and not tell them what a significant part of it actually is! I’m amazed they’ve had ANY pre-orders with this approach.
It’s even more ridiculous to buy something without knowing what the “music bundle” actually is.
Yes, that’s what I meant.
I got suckered by the Nine Inch Nails scam for their first EP out of the trilogy, where you bought the download with the promise that you would receive a “physical element.” Yes, stupid on my part for assuming that meant a CD, but I certainly didn’t expect a crappy envelope of pictures and toner that got all over my hands. I’m never pre-ordering or buying anything again until I know what I’m actually getting. (Then, to add insult on top, NIN put out the EP on CD later on, but you had to buy that separately.)
I hope Blondie’s management can clarify the contents of the box set soon. And especially what music is coming with the comic book super deluxe edition.
At this point, it’s not a lot to ask, right?
VERY disappointed about this. just release the cd boxset now, vinyl buyers can wait!
There lots going on with this whihc I’m sure we don’t know about, but what’s disappointing is that the last two times Clem Burke has offered information about the boxset its usually at the prompt of a fan on Twitter asking about it – I know this as its been me who then forwards it on to Paul! Clem is actually very good to the fans – his Twitter account is by far the most proactive within the Blondie organisation and I’m sure he is as frustrated as anyone.
But, I’ve said this before, Blondie have had very poor communication with their fans for a number of years, its kind of expected. Two things though as covered by Paul – I don’t understand why a CD boxset can not come out earlier. I’m surprised this isn’t more on the cards as Blondie tour the UK in November – assuming that is still going ahead.
Second, the graphic novel bundle with the vinyl exclusive. No one really knows what is in the vinyl bundle – assumptions are that it must be the box set – but there is also a second option of a deluxe version which includes a 12 inch. This has a slightly less value of £72.98 to the SDE of £364.71, but no sign of it saying what that 12 inch is either. Its asking an lot of fans to buy something not knowing what it is they are buying.
Meanwhile, the speculation continues as to what the unreleased bonus tracks are. I’m intrigued about this, but its often mentioned in fans forums that there can’t be that much , so we will see. But, I can’t see the harm in releasing this information. Overall, its frustrating but not surprising.
I prefer Compact Discs, and I feel like Blondie and their record company are snubbing the fans. When will this set appear? When the cows come home, when Godot arrives, when hell freezes over, when Charly records releases the expamded edition of “Small Faces-The Autumn Stone”, when Jimi Hendrix’s Royal Albert Hall concert is released on DVD & Blu-Ray…. well you get the idea.
By the way, back when EMI owned the Chrysalis label, a spokesman stated that the only remaining unreleased Blondie recordings from the Chrysalis years were a few unfinished selections produced by Giorgio Moroder.
When ABBA release their new recordings?
When we get a 5.1 version of Pink Floyd – The Wall
When Yoko and Olivia say “OK Paul, we sanction ‘Carnival Of Light’.”
I just hope that when this is finally released it’s sensibly priced and the content is not a disappointment
Why not release the CD boxset now to please those fans eagerly awaiting this….. then launch the vinyl edition next year. Isn’t it more likely fans may purchase both sets then with a year to save for the vinyl edition?
No that’s a horrible idea. I have no intention of buying an boxset on a format I don’t want and having to wait to buy the set of my choice again at a later date.
John was saying it’s more likely – and therefore benefits the label – not recommending it or saying it was a good idea. I thought it was very clear.
Would it be that two separate issue dates of the same release is likely to effectively halve its chart placings? I have no idea how these things work these days but presumably selling, let’s say, 2000 CD sets this year and 2000 vinyl sets next year is likely to register much lower on any charts each time than selling 4,000 of them at the same time?
Yes it would, although probably not an issue with a big box which is unlikely to chart anyway.
I’m intrigued to know the numbers involved in such things these days. A couple of weeks ago the 1981 Motorhead/Girlschool “St. Valentine’s Day” EP (which I bought on its initial release) charted in the top ten (I think) vinyl singles charts as a result of its re-release for Record Store Day. A RSD vinyl release by the (comparatively) brand new rock band Those Damn Crows charted similarly. We must be talking about hundreds of copies in these cases?
No one has to buy a format they don’t want. But let the CD buyers have it this year. If some CD buyers ALSO want a vinyl set next year, then that’s up to their individual collector mentality.
Didn’t the Police do this with their last box set, released vinyl a year or so before CD release????
“vinyl production capacity issues”
This capacity problem was talked about on NeilYoungArchives. There is an article going into detail withRobin Hurley from Warner Bros / Reprise Records talking through some of the problems. The bottle-neck is demand and production limitations.
https://neilyoungarchives.com/news/1/article?id=Vinyl-Jam-page1
… All twelve men walked on the moon in only three years
Yes, but you forget that logistically a moon landing is much easier to organise than a Blondie box set.
I guess I’ll pull my 2001 remasters out of the garage. They’ve been sat in there ever since these damned remasters were mentioned back in 2018. I’ve seen other bands have staggered releases between CD and vinyl. Why not Blondie?
At least I have George Harrison’s “All Things Must Pass” to look forward to. Just hoping that there will be some news on the Bowie front soon. Fingers crossed.
I’m expecting the Bowie team to play the “vinyl-production difficulties” card as the next delay to the 5th Era box (after the baffling “20 years since 2001” explanation). We’ve seen quite a lot of unreleased Bowie surfacing since the 4th Era box though, so hopefully they’ll have some other surprises for us in the Toy box!
I understood that this was going to be released by Numero Group who issued the 12″ of Heart of Glass a few years ago as a taster. They have issued great career-spanning sets for other artists but no one as well known as Blondie. Just wondering if they have been kicked off the project and they are using a larger music company.
Yes, I believe there was some backroom shenanigans, which probably accounted for long period of silence and the non-appearance in 2019
At this point, the novelization of “What Happened to the BLONDIE boxset?” is bound to be more intriguing than anything actually released!
Haha!
Will this be the Chinese Democracy of box sets?
If so this would be good news because “Chinese Democracy” has eventually been released.
Albums remastered… I think for albums for the 70s we could have hope of a remixed versions with nowadays technologies, even for a 5.1 Mix. Guess miking the cow is going on!