Anthony Albanese Crashes Debbie Harry Interview

Anthony Albanese has made headlines for music-related reasons once again after crashing Blondie singer Debbie Harry’s interview on ABC Radio yesterday.

The ABC’s Sarah Macdonald opened the interview by telling Harry that Albanese’s interview was bumped in her favour (“Oh my, jeez, I guess I’m in good company?” Harry quipped), but it didn’t take long for the Prime Minister to crash the interview.

A self-professed Blondie fan from way back, Albanese got on the line not long after Macdonald sang Harry’s praises for being a pioneer for women in music. Towards the end of the interview, Albanese walked into the studio for his chat that started at 9 am, a few minutes early, and ended up saying “g’day” to Debbie Harry.

Macdonald asked Albanese if he’d like to say hello to Debbie, to which he immediately said, “I would! G’day, Debbie. I’m a big fan, and it’s lovely to chat with you.”

Harry greeted Albanese, which brought a slightly nervous laugh out of the PM, who added: “They said to me outside, ‘Oh, do you know you’re probably the only politician in Australia who’d be happy with being bumped for Debbie Harry?’ I said, ‘Yeah, nah, absolutely fine!’ I’ve got some of the early albums on vinyl – Parallel Lines is my favourite.”

Harry responded, “Oh, good, thank you! This is such a surprise, and thank you so much. This is fabulous, and I can’t wait to get back there in April and come for a visit.” Harry added that she hopes she can meet Albanese by referencing a Blondie classic: “I hope that I can meet you in the flesh,” she near-sang.

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“I’ll be hanging on the telephone for your call,” Albanese replied (you know he’s been waiting for the chance to use that one).

You can listen to the radio interview here.

In his ABC Radio interview, Albanese thanked Macdonald for the opportunity to chat with Debbie Harry, calling the chat the highlight of his day.

Blondie fans can catch the band live at Pandemonium Festival (in Melbourne, Sydney, and the Gold Coast) and their just-announced Newcastle sideshow with Aussie special guests and festival mates Wolfmother and Cosmic Psychos.