Clem Burke, Drummer and Heartbeat of Blondie, Dies at 70
Clem Burke, the drummer who propelled the iconic rock group Blondie to fame with his versatile and energetic drumming, has died at the age of 70. According to a statement on Blondie’s website, Burke passed away from cancer, although no further details were provided.
“Clem was not just a drummer; he was the heartbeat of Blondie,” the band said in a statement, as reported by mlive.com. “His talent, energy, and passion for music were unmatched, and his contributions to our sound and success are immeasurable.”
Burke, who described himself as a “rock & roll survivalist,” began playing the drums at the age of 14 in his school orchestra, but was kicked out for playing too loudly. He went on to answer an ad in the Village Voice in the 1970s seeking a “freak energy” rock drummer, marking the beginning of his decades-long career with Blondie, alongside lead singer Debbie Harry and the rest of the band.
Blondie recorded its first album in 1976 and was touring with icons such as Iggy Pop and David Bowie by the following year. The band became known as the most commercially successful act to emerge from the fertile New York rock scene that also produced Talking Heads and the Ramones. As noted by mlive.com, in 2006, Burke and the other original members of Blondie were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, having sold over 42 million records worldwide.
During the late 1970s and early 1980s, Blondie enjoyed significant commercial success, with eight Top 40 hits, including four No. 1s: “Heart of Glass,” “Call Me,” “The Tide Is High,” and “Rapture,” which is widely regarded as the first No. 1 hit to feature rap. Burke’s distinctive drumming style was a key element of the band’s sound, particularly evident in the rapid, powerful opening beats of “Dreaming” in 1979.
In 2022, Blondie released a comprehensive box set, “Blondie: Against the Odds, 1974-1982,” featuring 124 tracks, including 36 previously unissued recordings, demos, outtakes, and remixed versions of the band’s initial six studio albums. The set was compiled from a treasure trove of reel-to-reel tapes, cassettes, and records uncovered by the band. As quoted in an article on mlive.com, Burke reflected on the discovery, saying, “We never would have thought that we would still be here today. Looking back at our archives, it’s pretty amazing.”
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame paid tribute to Burke on social media, describing him as “a versatile and distinctive drummer who played exactly what each song required – and, when called for, let loose with blistering punk rock energy.” As reported by mlive.com, Burke’s legacy as an integral part of Blondie’s success will continue to be celebrated by fans of the band and rock music enthusiasts around the world.
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