New York ( CNN ) -- In an era of entourages and media minders , rock-n-roll hall of famer Deborah Harry arrived to our interview alone . Wearing a black and white graphic scarf draped over a long sleeve T-shirt and practical black flip-flops , she wandered in off the street , browsing the hotel art installation like any other tourist . But this was no casual viewing . Strewn around the room was four decades of memories -- stunning black and white photos taken by Blondie bandmate and one-time boyfriend Chris Stein . It took me a few minutes to realize it was her . She seemed strangely detached looking at her younger self . But then , it was a lifetime ago . Blondie hit their stride when the lines between music and video were mingling . They made their mark in the space between punk , new wave and disco and introduced mass audiences to hip-hop . They were a fixture on the New York scene , but that is a landscape that has changed literally ... and musically . When Stein arrived a short time after Harry , in his trademark leather and shades , he paused to look at the blown-up photo of Harry up on the top of the World Trade Center observation deck . It made him emotional to see that building , now gone . Neither could remember the exact date he snapped the shot or why she seems to be holding a folded bill . It was just one of the ghosts in the room . We talked about the clubs that have closed , music stores shuttered . Songs now premiere on YouTube before the radio or TV . You might expect the veteran rockers to lament this lost past . But Harry and Stein are surprisingly open about the change . While Harry has been quoted in the past as saying the internet killed music , she was much more nuanced in our conversation . `` It makes it more important to tour , there is no record industry to speak of , but I sort of appreciate that a person can download a track they love , '' said Harry . Stein also seemed to appreciate technology 's ability to reach an audience . `` It used to be a struggle to get yourself on television -- before MTV even more so -- now it 's completely secondary , '' he said . `` Now you can just press a button and watch anyone doing anything anywhere doing anything . In unison they agreed : `` The verdict is not in yet . '' The new studio album may be called Ghosts of Download , but both artists feel it 's forward looking , especially in the collaborations . Beth Ditto of Indie rock group Gossip , Oakland-based Panamanian rappers Los Rakas and Colombian Systema Solar are featured on tracks . Stein , laughing , noted : `` I think my ego is less pronounced -- it 's easier to take ideas from other people . '' Though they may be rock-n-roll royalty , they are incredibly down to earth . Harry , still striking , has a wry smile and a slight mystery about her . Stein is more open . We joked about TV binge-watching House of Cards and Game of Thrones ( which was why he was running late ) and the difficulty of getting things done in politics . Does Harry have a favorite song ? Rapture and a little known track Cautious Lip , she wished she could play live . They tag team a conversation the way only long-time partners can . `` We get along , '' joked Stein when I asked how they have survived when so many other bands have n't . The best thing about touring ? `` The fans , '' Harry said without hesitation . The worst ? `` Being away from my wife and kids , '' said Stein , who is married to actress Barbara Sicuranza . Though people dismiss the potency of aging rockers , there is a history they carry that is hard to resist . When I asked if they had a favorite live performance , they an told amazing story about being in Bangkok on New Year 's Eve in the 70s , the night the curfew from the Vietnam War was lifted . The band may have a treasure trove of memories , but they are now 40 years on -- in their words , Blondie 4 ( 0 ) Ever -- and looking to the future . When asked which musicians they admire , the reveal : Justin Timberlake and J-lo . Read more : The evolution of Mariah Carey . Read more : What Vivienne Westwood did next . Watch more : SJP discusses humble start . Watch more : Disney head embraces tech .
New wave pioneers Chris Stein are celebrating their 40th anniversary with a new album , Blondie . Maggie Lake speaks with Chris Stein and Chris Stein about modern music and unforgettable a few minutes . She discovers the duo love touring , miss family and have mixed views on the new world of digital downloads .