Blondie’s Chris Stein has said that it’s “doubtful” he will play with the band again due to ongoing health issues.
Stein has been absent from tours with Blondie over the last year, including a slot on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury 2023. During the set, and the whole tour, Blondie were joined by former Sex Pistol Glen Matlock on bass.
In April 2022, Stein explained his absence to fans, saying: “I’m sad and frustrated to report that I’m not going out with the next bunch of Blondie touring. I’ve been dealing with a dumbass condition called Atrial Fibrillation or AFib which is irregular heart beats and combined with the meds I take for it I’m too fatigued to deal.
“I’m still all in with recording and other band projects. That’s it, I’m fine, I’m around here and I love you all.” Stein was later diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Now, in a new interview with The Sunday Times, Stein says he often feels “fatigued” and has come to terms with the fact he might not tour with the band again.
He said: “I miss it a little [playing live], but it’s a lot of work, and I did it for 50 years, I kind of got it out of my system. It’s doubtful I’m gonna do more shows at this point.”
He went on to add that he felt his earlier rock n’ roll lifestyle played a part. “All this stuff caught up with me in my old age. Don’t do drugs, kids, is all I can say. All that shit I did over the years didn’t help.”
