For a whole generation she was the ultimate rock pin-up. Now Debbie Harry is back in the UK and preparing for an extensive tour with Blondie, including a date in Blackpool on December 2. We spoke to her about her career.

You were part of the American new wave scene in the late '70s with Patti Smith, Television, The Ramones and Talking Heads, among others. Were these acts a great inspiration and who were your other early influences?

We did get some inspiration from them because we were all getting turned on by each other's bands while we were coming up together in the scene and watching each other play. It was a more normal time for us, where we could relax and enjoy what we were doing and what the others were doing. It had not become big business at that point -- there was no pressure. As far as early influences go, I used to listen to the radio a good deal growing up, so the early rock and roll women as well as the great female jazz and R and B singers made an impression. The artists who influenced me are fairly wide-ranging.

This is your fourth UK tour in as many years after a lengthy absence. Is there a particular reason for going on the road more regularly?

It's just how it ended up working out as far as the releases and the timing were concerned.

Given your very extensive repertoire of hits, is there one song in particular you enjoy performing live above the others?

No particular song comes to mind. It's fun to rotate the material and bring songs back that we haven't done in a while. We will be doing that on this tour -- it's refreshing to do that or to do a new take on a song.

As well as preparing for the tour, what else are you up to at the moment?

I am writing songs, looking at some movie parts and playing some club dates -- the usual stuff.

Apart from your music career you have had success in films. Are you planning to do any more movies in the foreseeable future? Many American actors have appeared in West End Theatre recently. Is that something that interests you?

No films to talk about at the present time. I would perhaps like to act in West End theatre, though.

What is the most recent album you have purchased? Any favourites among current acts? Any tips on bands that are on the up?

I like the band Morning Wood right now.

Rapture was one of the first singles to cross hip-hop over to the mainstream. Do you agree that this track helped break rap music in the US?

I definitely think that song had an impact in terms of bringing that musical style to a wider audience.

Apart from your own band, which artist/band have you most enjoyed working with previously? Is there any artist or band that you would like to collaborate with?

Hard to say -- there are so many bands that I love and have loved working with. I prefer to collaborate with just one person. It's hard to work with several different people at once.

What's your perfect day?

Get up early in the morning and drive to upstate New York. Then take a glider plane flight and land in a field where a picnic is waiting. Next I would go horseback riding. That night I would go see a great movie at a drive-in theatre. You should try to do the most you can day by day, every day. Enjoy every day as much as you can.

Blondie play Blackpool Opera House on Friday, December 2. Details from the box office on 01253 292 029, the 24-hour ticket hotline 0870 735 5000 or www.bookingsdirect.com