Blondie drummer Clem Burke dead at 70

Blondie have paid tribute to drummer Clem Burke, the driving force behind some of their greatest hits including Heart of Glass, Atomic and Call Me, who has died after a secret health battle.

Blondie drummer Clem Burke has died at the age of 70 following a “private battle with cancer”.

Burke joined the legendary new wave band in 1975 after being recruited by Debbie Harry and Chris Stein and he was credited with keeping the group together after Stein and Harry considered disbanding following the departure of original bassist Fred Smith to Television. Burke remained with them for his entire career.

The classic Blondie line up during their 1979 hey day. Clockwise from top left, Chris Stein, Debbie Harry, Nigel Harrison, Clem Burke, Frank Infante and Jimmy Destri. Picture: Getty Images

“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,” the band wrote in a statement. “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.”

Burke played on all of Blondie’s albums, including their 1976 debut and landmark albums Parallel Lines (1978) and Eat to the Beat (1979).

Burke’s drumming was a driving force behind Blondie’s biggest hits, including the group’s six US number ones, Heart Of Glass, Sunday Girl, Atomic, Call Me, The Tide Is High and Maria.

He was an entertaining presence on stage and Blondie would often end their set with Burke leapfrogging over his drum kit.

When Blondie was disbanded, Burke played drums for the Romantics during the 1980s and 1990s.

Burke was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006 as a member of Blondie.

After the group disbanded in 1982 following The Hunter (they’d go on to reform in 1997 and release five more albums), Burke became an in-demand session drummer.

“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,” Blondie said in their statement.
“His influence and contributions have spanned decades and genres, leaving an indelible mark on every project he was a part of.”

Chris Stein, Deborah Harry and Clem Burke attend the induction of Blondie into Hollywood's Rockwalk at the Guitar Centre in 2006. Picture: Getty Images

Burke was born in New Yersey in 1954 to a drummer father, performing in numerous cover bands before moving to New York when the punk and CBGB scene was rising, meeting Harry and Stein who had just formed Blondie.

“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 kind of have a gunslinger attitude,” Burke told Please Kill Me in 2017.

Jimmy Destri, Debbie Harry and Clem Burke pictured in Melbourne in 2003. Picture: Kelly Barnes

“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.”

In 2023, Clem backed a scientific research project which found children with autism showed reduced symptoms after eight weeks of drumming lessons.

It suggested drumming be taught in schools to help children deal with dyslexia and autism.

At the time, the Blondie star said drumming was a “very positive lifestyle”.

Describing the research project at The Royal Society’s Summer Science Exhibition in London, he said: “We found the physical and mental attributes of drumming are a very positive lifestyle. And it only gets better as you get older as long as you can keep doing it.”

Chris Stein, Debbie Harry and Clem Burke at the Met Gala in New York in 2013. Picture: Getty Images

Indeed, he often spoke about just what music and drumming had brought to his life.

“I don’t know what I would be doing if I wasn’t playing. Drumming has just always been there. Being in a band has just always been my social life from a very early age,” he said in 2017.

“I like being in the studio and on stage. I don’t feel inhibited when I’m there. I enjoy it. These are places that I like to be.”

Blondie offered their “deepest condolences” to Burke’s family, friends and fans. “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,” the statement said.

Originally published as Blondie drummer Clem Burke dead at 70