NME editor Mike Williams was effusive in his praise for the New York-based band. "As they celebrate their 40th anniversary, there could be no other band more worthy of being honored as NME's Godlike Genius 2014 than Blondie," he said. "They re-wrote the rulebook in the late 70s by dragging punk rock to the top of the charts, and their classic songs still sounds as fresh as ever today. Everyone from Iggy Pop, Lily Allen, Lady Gaga and Julian Casablancas have looked to Debbie Harry for inspiration - she's the most iconic frontwoman rock and roll has ever produced."