Clem Burke, the drummer for Blondie since their debut album in 1976, has died at the age of 70.
The band released a statement saying Burke died “following a private battle with cancer.” “Clem was not just a drummer; he was the heartbeat of Blondie,” they wrote. “His talent, energy, and passion for music were unmatched, and his contributions to our sound and success are immeasurable.”
The statement continued, “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.”
Burke was born on Nov. 24, 1954, in Bayonne, New Jersey, and played in local bands in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
He joined Blondie in 1975, shortly after Deborah Harry and Chris Stein formed the band in New York City. Burke played drums on all their albums, starting with their 1976 self-titled release, their 1978 breakthrough “Parallel Lines,” the 1999 reunion record “No Exit,” and their most recent album, 2017’s “Pollinator.”
Blondie broke up after releasing their fifth album, “Autoamerican”—which included the No. 1 hits “The Tide Is High” and “Rapture”—in 1980.
During the 1980s and 1990s, Burke played drums with other bands, including a regular gig with the Romantics. In 1987, he performed with the Ramones as Elvis Ramone. As a session drummer, he worked with artists such as Bob Dylan, Eurythmics, Joan Jett, Iggy Pop, and Pete Townshend. His diverse collaborations also included Wanda Jackson, Nancy Sinatra, and members of the Go-Go’s and Sex Pistols.
Burke was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2006 along with the other original members of Blondie.
The band concluded their statement by saying, “His legacy will live on through the tremendous amount of music he created and the countless lives he touched.”
