Clem Burke, the longtime Blondie drummer who also appeared on albums by Pete Townshend, Iggy Pop, and Bob Dylan, has died. His bandmates Debbie Harry and Chris Stein confirmed the news on Instagram, noting that he’d been privately battling cancer. Burke was 70 years old.
“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. 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.”
Born Clement Bozewski on November 24, 1954 in Bayonne, New Jersey, Burke played in several cover bands before moving to New York, where Harry and Stein recruited him to be their drummer. After original bassist Fred Smith left Blondie to join Television, Burke kept the group together by enlisting his friend Gary Valentine to play bass. Along with Harry and Stein, he is the only member of the band to perform on every one of their studio albums, from 1976’s self-titled to 2017’s Pollinator, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with them in 2006.
After Blondie took an extended hiatus following the release of The Hunter in 1982, Burke drummed for Eurythmics, Iggy Pop, the Romantics, Pete Townshend, Bob Dylan, Joan Jett, and the Go-Go’s’ Kathy Valentine, among others. He was part of a number of supergroups, including the International Swingers (with Sex Pistols bass player Glen Matlock, guitarist James Stevenson of Generation X, and singer Gary Twinn of Supernaut) and Slinky Vagabond (with Matlock, David Bowie guitarist Earl Slick, and Keanan Duffty). In the early 2010s, he also became a founding member of the Split Squad.
In 2011, Burke received an honorary doctorate from the University of Gloucestershire for his work on the Clem Burke Drumming Project, which studied the physical, mental, and health benefits of drumming over an 8-year period.
“Clem’s influence extended far beyond Blondie,” the group’s statement continued. “A self proclaimed ‘Rock & Roll survivalist,’ he played and collaborated with numerous iconic artists, including 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 even the Go-Go’s. His influence and contributions have spanned decades and genres, leaving an indelible mark on every project he was a part of.”
“We extend our deepest condolences to Clem’s family, friends, and fans around the world,” they added. “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.”
