Drummer Clem Burke, one of the core members of Blondie, has died aged 70.
The New Wave drummer died following a ‘private battle with cancer,’ the band has confirmed.
In a statement, Blondie’s Debbie Harry and Chris Stein announced: ‘It is with profound sadness that we relay news of the passing of our beloved friend and bandmate Clem Burke following a private battle with cancer.’
They continued: ‘Clem was not just a drummer; he was the heartbeat of Blondie. His talent, energy, and passion for music were unmatched, and his contributions to our sound and success are immeasurable. Beyond his musicianship, Clem was a source of inspiration both on and off the stage. His vibrant spirit, infectious enthusiasm and rock solid work ethic touched everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.’
Their statement also outlined the enormity of Burke’s musical impact outside of Blondie, explaining how he worked with groups and artists like Eurythmics, Ramones, Bob Dylan, Bob Geldof, Iggy Pop, Joan Jett, Chequered Past, The Fleshtones, The Romantics, Dramarama, The Adult Net, The Split Squad, The International Swingers, L.A.M.F., Empty Hearts, Slinky Vagabond, and the Go-Go’s throughout his career.
‘His influence and contributions have spanned decades and genres, leaving an indelible mark on every project he was a part of,’ they continued.
The statement concluded: ‘We extend our deepest condolences to Clem’s family, friends, and fans around the world. His legacy will live on through the tremendous amount of music he created and the countless lives he touched. As we navigate this profound loss, we ask for privacy during this difficult time. Godspeed, Dr. Burke.’
Who is Clem Burke’s wife Ellen Burke?
Ellen and Clem Burke lived a largely private life since their marriage in 2002.
Ellen reportedly had a career as a paediatric nurse and supported her late-husband throughout his battle with cancer.
Born November 24, 1954, to a drummer father in Bayonne, New Jersey, Burke was not a founding member of Blondie, but he joined in 1975 and performed on all their albums, cementing himself as a central pillar of their legacy.
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Burke, Debbie Harry, and Chris Stein were the core members of the group throughout their nearly 50-year lifespan.
‘Keith Moon was a big inspiration for me as Ringo was, and they were both rock star drummers, they were not the drummer in the back. There was no jealousy over Debbie’s position, other than I wanted to be famous too and when you’re young and you’re trying to be famous you have a gunslinger attitude,’ Burke told Please Kill Me in 2017.
‘You have to endure a lot of rejection and you have to endure a lot of adversity in order to be that successful. It doesn’t happen overnight. You have to be able to deal with rejection. Of course, we would joke that we were the best opening band and no one really got what we were trying to do.’
As the band’s statement notes, after Blondie disbanded in 1982 (they’d go on to reform in 1999 and release five more albums), Burke kept his schedule packed as one of the most sought-after drummers in the world.
He performed with the Romantics as a drummer between 1990 and 2004, and also performed and recorded with Pete Townshend, Bob Dylan,Eurythmics, Dramarama, the Fleshtones, Iggy Pop, and Joan Jett, amongst others.
He also went on to be apart of the band Chequered Past starting in 1983 alongside Sex Pistols guitarist Steve Jones, former Blondie bandmate Nigel Harrison, bass guitarist and vocalist Tony Sales, and Michael Des Barres.
The percussionist is also remembered for playing drums for the Ramones briefly in 1987, going by the stage name Elvis Ramone.
‘They asked me on a Monday when they had a gig on a Friday,’ Burke recalled years later to Rolling Stone of his time with The Ramones. ‘It was the hardest work I ever did in a band.’
Wildly prolific, Burke drummed with or formed almost countless bands throughout his career, notably forming joining Slinky Vagabond in 2007 with David Bowie guitarist Earl Slick, Glen Matlock, and Keanan Duffty.
He also formed the band the International Swingers with Sex Pistols bass player Glen Matlock, guitarist James Stevenson of Generation X, and singer Gary Twinn of Supernaut in 2011. He was also a founding member of the Split Squad.
Burke was major contributor to medical research into the long-term effects of drumming on the body, founding the Clem Burke drumming project in 2008 to aid research into this field of study.
Known for his relaxed, free-flowing style, Burke’s drumming was hugely impactful to the development of the New Wave movement, with many of his musical successors crediting him as an inspiration.
When asked by Rolling Stone what he would have done if Blondie hadn’t made him a superstar, he once responded, cheekily: ‘I always quote Ringo Starr, that if it wasn’t for this I’d probably be a hairdresser.’
In 2022, Burke told Consequence of Sound about the band’s legacy: ‘I think there’s been a lot of confusion about the band over the years. Is Blondie Debbie Harry? Is Blondie a disco band? Is Blondie a punk band? We came out of the streets of New York, and went from that to Andy Warhol throwing us a party at Studio 54.’
He continued: ‘I don’t think anyone could’ve had the foresight to predict the legacy of the band, and that we’d kind of continue to kind of be a part of pop culture.
‘Also, we all kind of kept the same haircuts, and we were all a bit fashion-forward at the time. Not that we necessarily look like Harry Styles or anything, but when we look back at the old pictures, it looks kind of contemporary to us.’
Celebrities and fans alike have been flocking to social media to pay tribute to Burke.
Charlatans frontman Tim Burgess wrote on X: ‘Oh man Clem Burke was the epitome of a super cool drummer – so influential and a lovely guy.’
X user @simoncbanks posted, ‘RIP Clem Burke, one of the finest drummers of his generation.’
@Pozophil write: ‘RIP Clem Burke. Greatest drummer I’ve ever seen live. The beating heart of @BlondieOfficial & many others. #ripClem’
The drummer is survived by his wife Ellen Burke, whom he married in 2002.
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