Renowned Drummer Clem Burke Passes Away at 70
Clem Burke, the iconic drummer for the new wave band Blondie, has died at the age of 70 after a battle with cancer. Burke was a pivotal member of Blondie from the band’s early days in the mid-1970s to their disbandment in 1982, and again when they reformed in 1997.
According to The Guardian, Burke’s versatile and stylish drumming played a crucial role in shaping Blondie’s sound and paving the way for the band’s various musical adventures. As reported by The Guardian, his driving energy was instrumental in keeping the project going even when internal conflicts threatened to derail it. As a drummer for hire, Burke worked with numerous notable artists, including Iggy Pop, Johnny Thunders, the Ramones, and two former members of the Sex Pistols.
Burke’s love for British music, particularly the Beatles, the Kinks, and the Who, greatly influenced Blondie’s early popularity in the UK. The Guardian notes that he was ranked 61 in Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 100 best rock drummers. Burke’s approach to drumming was informed by his admiration for Ringo Starr, and he often played left-handed on a right-handed kit.
Born in Bayonne, New Jersey, Burke began playing drums in local groups and eventually moved to New York, where he saw an advert for a "freak energy" drummer for Blondie. As The Guardian reports, Burke’s former schoolmate Gary Valentine was already part of the band, and with Burke on board, progress was rapid. The band regularly performed at Max’s Kansas City and CBGB, two prominent "new wave" venues in New York.
Burke’s contributions to Blondie’s success cannot be overstated. He played on many of the band’s hit albums, including Parallel Lines, which reached No 1 in the UK and No 6 in the US. The album spawned four worldwide hits: "Picture This," "Sunday Girl," "Heart of Glass," and "Hanging on the Telephone." As quoted in The Guardian, Burke reflected on the band’s early days, saying, "We all had a common aesthetic, whether it be the New York Dolls or the Velvet Underground or the Shangri-Las. We had a commonality among our musical influences which was not really the norm at the time."
After Blondie disbanded in 1982, Burke continued to work as a session drummer, playing with a range of artists, including Pete Townshend, Bob Dylan, and Joan Jett. He also formed his own band, Chequered Past, with Nigel Harrison, the former Blondie bassist. In 2008, Burke co-founded the Clem Burke Drumming Project, which aimed to examine the physical and mental health effects of playing the drums.
In his later years, Burke remained an integral member of Blondie, playing on five more albums and touring regularly. He also collaborated with other musicians, including Glen Matlock, Earl Slick, and Keanan Duffty. As quoted in The Guardian, Burke said, "With drumming, you kind of have to keep doing it. You don’t really want to lose your chops, so you want to be prepared to play when you have to play. It works both ways: I help people out by playing with them, and they help me keep my abilities together."
Burke is survived by his wife, Ellen, a former nurse, whom he married in 2002. As reported by The Guardian, his legacy as a talented and influential drummer will continue to be celebrated by fans of Blondie and the wider music community.
