Jimmy Destri

Jimmy Destri

Born: April 13, 1954
in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA
Jimmy Destri (born James Mollica, April 13, 1954, Brooklyn, New York City, United States) is an American musician.

Destri is of Italian descent. His father was a novelist who also wrote screenplays and eventually advertising copy to support his family while his mother was a housewife. He has a sister, Donna Destri, who is also a singer and did backing vocals for Blondie and Jimmy's own solo record. Destri grew up in Boro Park and was raised in his grandmother's house. His uncle played drums for Joey Dee and the Starlighters. He attended Catholic schools and went to Bishop Ford High School. Destri dropped out of high school in order to form his first band. He played keyboards in the rock band Blondie, and was one of the principal songwriters for the band along with Chris Stein and Deborah Harry. He rejoined Blondie in 1997. Destri ceased touring with the band in 2004, but remained an official member for several more years. After he stopped playing Blondie he worked full time as a drug counselor/therapist at the outpatient recovery center Carnegie Hill Institute in New York City. In April 2020, he went back to practice as a drug counselor/therapist at Seabrook in New Jersey.

Destri became interested in music in the late 1950s and early 1960s due to his uncle's being a drummer with Joey Dee and the Starlighters. He formed his first band, the 86 Proof, in high school and they performed in local schools. He played in a group named Milk and Cookies in the early 1970s, but was dismissed from the band just before they relocated to the UK. He joined Blondie in 1975, using the Farfisa organ as his main instrument.

As Blondie's career progressed, Destri became increasingly interested in synthesizers, and added them with his Farfisa to the overall band's sound. His sister, Donna Destri, sang backing vocals on the 1979 Blondie song "Living in the Real World" and on the album No Exit.

Destri produced Going Up by Joey Wilson for Modern Records, released in October 1980.

As Blondie members took a break from both recording and touring as a group, Destri released the solo album Heart on a Wall in 1981. Heart on a Wall was produced by Michael Kamen, then regarded mainly as a film composer/arranger; Kamen also played keyboards and sang backup vocals. The album also featured numerous renowned musicians, including guitarists Carlos Alomar (David Bowie, Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger, Iggy Pop), Tommy Morrongiello (Bob Dylan, Blue Öyster Cult) and Earl Slick (Bowie, John Lennon, Yoko Ono), along with bassist John Siegler (Todd Rundgren's Utopia). In addition, Blondie's Clem Burke appeared on drums, with guest appearances by fellow Blondie members Chris Stein and Debbie Harry.

Heart on a Wall was released in the US, the UK and France (Chrysalis CHR-1368) as well as Australia and New Zealand (L-37774), West Germany (204 425–320) and the Netherlands (204 425). "Living In Your Heart" backed with "Don't Look Around" was also released as a 7" single in France (PB-8865).

Any digital release of the album remains highly unlikely, as the original master tapes have been lost. ...

Source: Article "Jimmy Destri" from Wikipedia in English, licensed under CC-BY-SA 3.0.

Movies for Jimmy Destri...

When Blondie Came to Britain
Title: When Blondie Came to Britain
Character: Self
Released: November 18, 2023
Type: Movie
The story of Britain’s long relationship with Blondie - the part it played in helping the band to international success and the impact the band had on British fans and musicians.
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The Dancing Man of L.A.
Title: The Dancing Man of L.A.
Character: Self (archive footage)
Released: May 24, 2021
Type: Movie
One man dance party Howard Mordoh, a longtime fixture of the L.A. concert scene, copes with the canceled concerts and isolation of life during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Blondie's New York and the Making of Parallel Lines
Title: Blondie's New York and the Making of Parallel Lines
Character: Self
Released: August 29, 2014
Type: Movie
The story behind Blondie's album Parallel Lines, which sold 16 million copies and captured the spirit of 1970s New York at a time of poverty, crime and an exploding artistic life.
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Blondie: Live at the Apollo
Title: Blondie: Live at the Apollo
Character: Self
Released: January 24, 2013
Type: Movie
The Apollo Theater, Glasgow, Scotland - December 31, 1979. This concert video was originally broadcast live by the BBC on the OLD GREY WHISTLE TEST program. It was the 2nd night they'd played at The Apollo, with the first serving as a warm up. Only the second half of this show was broadcast, minus a few encores. Set List: Set List: Dreaming, Slow Motion, (Commercial Break), Shayla, Union City Blue, (Commercial Break), Atomic, Picture This, Pretty Baby, (Commercial Break), Heart of Glass, Hanging on the Telephone, Sunday Girl, (Commercial Break), Heart of Glass (Promo).
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Blondie: Live at Beat Club 1978
Title: Blondie: Live at Beat Club 1978
Character: Self - Keyboards
Released: May 16, 2006
Type: Movie
This was a "Musikladen Extra" special from Bremen TV, West Germany from 1978. It was originally released on DVD by Pioneer Artists/EME as The Best Of Musikladen-Live: Blondie. Track List: 1. X-Offender; 2. Little Girl Lies; 3. Look Good in Blue; 4. Man Overboard; 5. In the Flesh; 6. I'm on E; 7. Love at the Pier; 8. I Didn't Have the Nerve; 9. Bermuda Triangle Blues (Flight 45); 10. Kidnapper; 11. Youth Nabbed as Sniper.
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Blondie: One Way or Another
Title: Blondie: One Way or Another
Character: Self
Released: January 7, 2006
Type: Movie
A documentary about New York band Blondie, from their early beginnings in Bowery clubs like CBGBs alongside other up and coming bands like The Ramones, Patti Smith & Talking Heads. The documentary tracks their years of international success, through their internal problems and decline and then to their recovery and re-establishment leading to their being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006 - an event that wasn't without its problems. Lots of interviews with band members, past and present, and their friends and contemporaries. Lots of clips of them performing through the years.
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Blondie : Greatest Hits - Sound & Vision
Title: Blondie : Greatest Hits - Sound & Vision
Character: Self - Performer
Released: November 8, 2005
Type: Movie
1. In the Flesh - 2. X Offender - 3. Denis – 4. Detroit 442 – 5. (I'm Always Touched by Your) Presence, Dear - 6 . Picture This - 7 . Hanging on the Telephone - 8. Heart of Glass - 9. Dreaming - 10. The Hardest Part - 11. Union City Blue - 12. Atomic - 13. The Tide Is High - 14. Rapture - 15. Island of Lost Souls - 16. Maria - 17. Good Boys
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Blondie: Good Boys
Title: Blondie: Good Boys
Character: Jimmy Destri
Released: September 1, 2003
Type: Movie
Filmed partly in black and white and partly in color, the video starts out in the style of an old silent film, with a title screen that presents the band, the song, and the director. Debbie Harry appears in a brunette wig, playing a ringmaster conducting the band in a vintage circus setting, intercut with scenes of a circus drama in which a clown is thrown inside a cage with a tiger and mauled to death.
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Blondie Greatest Video Hits
Title: Blondie Greatest Video Hits
Character: Self
Released: October 8, 2002
Type: Movie
1)In The Flesh 2)X Offender 3)Denis 4)Detroit 442 5)(I'm Always Touched By Your)Presence,Dear 6)Picture This 7)Hanging On The Telephone 8)Heart Of Glass 9)Dreaming 10)Union City Blue 11)Atomic 12)The Tide Is High 13)Rapture 14)The Hardest Part 15)Island Of Lost Souls 16)Maria
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Blondie - Live in New York
Title: Blondie - Live in New York
Character: Self
Released: January 1, 1999
Type: Movie
Songs Include: Dreaming, Maria, Rip Her To Shreds, Hanging On The Telephone, Call Me, X Offender, Screaming Skin, Boom Boom In The Zoom Zoom Room, Atomic, Forgive and Forget, One Way Or Another, Shayla/Union City Blue, In The Flesh, Heart Of Glass, Sunday Girl, Rapture Bonus Music Video: Nothing Is Real But The Girl Lyrics & Photos Up To 45 Minutes OF Footage Not Seen On The VH-1 Special
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Blondie: Live!
Title: Blondie: Live!
Character: Self
Released: January 1, 1982
Type: Movie
As the most successful cross-over band ever, Blondie sold more than 15 million albums with a string of mega-hits
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Blondie: Eat to the Beat
Title: Blondie: Eat to the Beat
Character: Self
Released: October 1, 1980
Type: Movie
Blondie's first video album was produced in conjunction with the record "Eat to the Beat", featuring a music video for each of the album's twelve songs. It was the first such project in rock music. Most of the songs were filmed in and around New York, the exception was the "Union City Blue" music video, which was filmed at Union Dry Dock, Weehawken, New Jersey. Each video was directed by David Mallet and produced by Paul Flattery. The video was initially available as a promotional VHS in 1979 and subsequently released on videocassette and videodisk in October 1980.
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Roadie
Title: Roadie
Character: Jimmy Destri
Released: June 13, 1980
Type: Movie
A young Texas good ol' boy has a knack with electronic equipment, and that talent gets him a job as a roadie with a raucous traveling rock-and-roll show.
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Blondie in Concert
Title: Blondie in Concert
Character: Self
Released: December 31, 1979
Type: Movie
The Apollo Theater, Glasgow, Scotland - December 31, 1979. This concert video was originally broadcast live by the BBC on the OLD GREY WHISTLE TEST program. It was the 2nd night they'd played at The Apollo, with the first serving as a warmup. Only the second half of this show was broadcast, minus a few encores. Set List: Dreaming, Slow Motion, (Commercial Break), Shayla, Union City Blue, (Commercial Break), Atomic, Picture This, Pretty Baby, (Commercial Break), Heart of Glass, Hanging on the Telephone, Sunday Girl, (Commercial Break), Heart of Glass (Promo).
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Blondie: Live at Asbury Park Convention Hall
Title: Blondie: Live at Asbury Park Convention Hall
Character: Self
Released: July 7, 1979
Type: Movie
Filmed at the Convention Hall, Asbury Park, NJ - July 7, 1979 (Late Show). Professionally recorded show by the venue in Black & White, this visual document from the EAT TO THE BEAT tour resurfaced in 2014. This is actually the 2nd of two performances that Blondie gave at the venue on the same day. Set List: Dreaming, One Way or Another, Hanging on the Telephone, Look Good in Blue, Youth Nabbed as Sniper, Pretty Baby, Slow Motion, Sunday Girl, In the Flesh, Man Overboard, Heart of Glass, 11:59, Rip Her to Shreds, In the Sun, Bang a Gong (Get It On).
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Title: Saturday Night Live
Character: Self - Musical Guest
Released: October 11, 1975
Type: TV
A late-night live television sketch comedy and variety show created by Lorne Michaels. The show's comedy sketches, which parody contemporary culture and politics, are performed by a large and varying cast of repertory and newer cast members. Each episode is hosted by a celebrity guest, who usually delivers an opening monologue and performs in sketches with the cast, and features performances by a musical guest.
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Title: Midi Première
Character: Self - Blondie
Released: January 6, 1975
Type: TV
Midi Première is a French variety show presented by Danièle Gilbert, directed by Jacques Pierre and broadcast from January 6, 1975 until January 1, 1982 on TF1. The program was generally broadcast between 12:15 p.m. and 12:55 p.m., then giving way to the 1:00 p.m. TV news. However, the broadcast schedule could change, depending on the guests, and the setting where the recording of the program was shot. Certain performances by artists who have become cult like the one where Ringo jostles with a demonstrator in interpretation (1977), that of Dalida with the title There is always a song with the soundtrack that does not start, twice, at the right speed (1978), Claude François and his Clodettes, who, in the provinces, are unable to join "the set" in order to interpret his song, the latter being taken by the crowd of delirious fans (summer 1977) . The group Supertramp performed there with the title "Dreamer" on March 8, 1975.
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Title: Rock Concert
Character: Self
Released: September 27, 1973
Type: TV
Don Kirshner's Rock Concert is an American television music variety show that ran during the 1970s and early 1980s, created and produced by Don Kirshner and syndicated to television stations. It premiered on September 27, 1973, with a performance by The Rolling Stones; its last episode was in 1981.