Clem Burke, the drummer who helped to provide the drive and kick to Blondie’s sound, has died at the age of 70. Burke passed away on Monday, following a private struggle with cancer.

By Miles Salter

“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,” read a statement issued by his bandmates, Chris Stein and Debbie Harry. “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.”

Stein and Harry formed the band in 1975, and recruited the drummer shortly afterwards. Burke played on the first album, Blondie, released in 1976. Clocking it at under 36 minutes long, the album matched punk energy with a slight retrospective glance at ’60s pop. Blondie’s first big US tour was in support of Iggy Pop. The band went on to huge success with Parallel Lines and the huge disco-scented hit, Heart of Glass. The track went to number one in the US. The album would go on to sell 20 million copies. in the US and propelled the band to new heights. (The song One Way Or Another was inspired by Harry’s problems with a fan who turned into a stalker.)

With Debbie Harry’s sex appeal, Chris Stein’s effervescent songs and Burke’s drumming, the band became hugely popular. He played on all six original albums recorded between 1976 and 1982. The band went their separate ways before returning in 1999 with the No Exit album. They went on to record another four albums. All their records featured Burke’s drumming.

Burke is credited with helping the band to keep going following the departure of Fred Smith to the band Television. Burke’s style was precise but punchy. He drove the band’s sound – check out his drumming at the start of Call Me or the drama of the opening bars of Union City Blue.  Burke could play fills with the best of them but never forget he was part of a band, driving the sound. His energy and precision were perfect for Blondie, whose hook-laden songs made them one of the best bands of the new wave era, alongside acts like The Police and Pretenders.  

Like others of his generation, Burke was influenced by The British Invasion. Led by The Beatles, British bands captured American attention in the ’60s. Burke listened to The Rolling Stones, The Yardbirds, The Who and The Small Faces. He adored David Bowie, and was in attendance when the singer played Carnegie Hall in 1972, discovering later that Chris Stein and Debbie Harry had also been at the gig. He also enjoyed T-Rex, Slade and Cockney Rebel. Away from Blondie, Burke played with a diverse range of acts, including Eurythmics, Ramones, Bob Dylan, David Bowie, Iggy Pop, Joan Jett, Bob Geldof and The Go-Gos.

To his credit, Burke played at the Victoria Vaults in York in November 2022 with The Split Squad. The tiny York venue was a far cry from the arenas that he was used to, but Burke didn’t mind. “I do enjoy playing smaller venues but I enjoy the arenas as well,” he told York’s Charles Hutchinson. He also played with Blondie tribute band Bootleg Blondie. Married to his wife Ellen since 2002, he liked to keep fit through jogging.

York musician Charlie Daykin was at the Vaults gig. “From the first number, he was covered in sweat. I talked to him and he was down to earth. He didn’t mind that it was a small venue. He wasn’t ‘I’m a star’ at all. Clem reminded me of Keith Moon, he gave the music the same propulsion. He must have been one of the best drummers in the world.” 

It’s a sad day for music. Burke was a fantastic musician and was tremendously consistent as a personality. RIP one of the great rock ‘n’ roll drummers.

Clem Burke, drummer. 24 November 1954 – 7 April 2025.