Blondie's drummer, Clem Burke, dies aged 70
Tuesday 08 April 2025
Clem Burke was drummer for Blondie from 1975, shortly after the band formed until his death from cancer on April 6 2025.
He played on all of the band's albums along with two founding members, Debbie Harry and Chris Stein. Ketih Moon was his idol and he spread his talent outside of Blondie to The Ramones, Pete Townsend, Bob Dylan, Joan Jett, Wanda Jackson, Chequered Past, The Go Gos, Dramarama and The Fleshtones.
Burke's early experiences on the drum kit began in the late 1960s and early 1970s playing in various New Jersey jam bands. Burke also gained percussion knowledge from his stint as a drummer in the St Andrew's Bridgemen Drum and Bugle Corps in Bayonne. Recruited by Debbie Harry and Chris Stein when Blondie was first forming in 1974, Burke joined Blondie in early 1975.
He was a key figure in keeping the group together after Stein and Harry considered disbanding after the departure of original bassist Fred Smith to Television. Burke recruited his friend Gary Valentine to play bass. Burke's style of drumming was influenced by Hal Blaine, Keith Moon, Ringo Starr and Earl Palmer
