Clem Burke, Blondie’s drummer since their first album in 1976, has passed away from a long bout with cancer. He was 70.
Clement Anthony Bozewski, known to the faithful as Clem Burke, was born November 24, 1954, in Bayonne, New Jersey, a rustbelt town with rhythm in its bones. By the late ’60s, he was pounding drums in local clubs, fire in his wrists and fuzz in his ears. In 1975, he joined Blondie, not long after Deborah Harry and Chris Stein had stitched the band together in downtown New York’s wreckage and wonder.
From Blondie (1976) to Parallel Lines (1978) and beyond, Burke was the beating heart: metronomic, melodic, and unrelenting. When bassist Fred Smith fled to Television and the band teetered toward silence, Burke anchored them. But The Hunter stumbled in 1982, and illness hobbled Stein. The lights dimmed. Blondie went quiet. Years passed. Then came No Exit in 1999 and Pollinator in 2017: Burke still behind the kit, holding tight to the pulse that once made Blondie roar.
After Blondie splintered, Clem Burke detonated across decades, bands, and borderlines. A self-declared “rock and roll survivalist,” Burke was less sideman than seismic force, drumming through punk, pop, glam, and garage with a restlessness that bordered on ritual. His collaborations read like a rogue’s gallery of underground royalty and mainstream disruptors: Eurythmics, The 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 – even The Go-Go’s.
His beat wasn’t confined to Blondie’s new wave polish…it underscored everything from snarling proto-punk to sugar-rush power pop. Never still, never silent, Burke’s backbeat ran like a live wire through it all.
In 2006, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame caught up, inducting him alongside Blondie’s original lineup. By then, he’d already logged lifetimes behind the kit.
According to a statement released by the band, Burke died following a private battle with cancer.
“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…We extend our deepest condolences to Clem’s family, friends, and fans around the world. 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.”
Thank you for everything, Clem. We shall miss you.
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