Clem Burke, the renowned drummer for the 1970s new wave band Blondie, has passed away at the age of 70 following a private struggle with cancer, as confirmed by the band’s spokesperson to the BBC. Burke, recognized by Rolling Stone magazine as one of the greatest drummers of all time, died on Sunday, April 6, 2025.
Burke became a member of Blondie in 1975, succeeding the original drummer Billy O’Connor, and contributed to all 11 of the band’s studio albums, from their self-titled debut in 1976 to their final release in 2017. His dynamic drumming style was crucial to UK number one hits such as “Call Me,” “The Tide Is High,” “Atomic,” and “Heart of Glass,” effortlessly blending punk, reggae, disco, and hip-hop rhythms.
Band founders Debbie Harry and Chris Stein honored Burke on Facebook, stating that his talent, energy, and passion for music were unparalleled, and that he inspired others both on and off stage.
Originally from New Jersey, Burke once shared that his earliest memory involved “playing my father’s kit along to the Four Seasons.” Before joining Blondie in 1974, he honed his skills in marching bands and cover groups. From the onset, he aimed to contribute more than just the basic rhythm.
Last year, in an interview with Mixdown magazine, he expressed admiration for drummers such as Hal Blaine, who worked closely with Phil Spector, and Earl Palmer, who collaborated with artists like Little Richard and Fats Domino. He aspired to match their musicality and versatility, focusing on enhancing a song rather than overshadowing it.
Blondie achieved fame in New York’s punk scene, performing in venues like CBGB alongside bands such as Talking Heads, Television, and Patti Smith. However, their 1978 album “Parallel Lines” catapulted them to mainstream success with new wave hits like “One Way Or Another” and the disco-inspired “Heart of Glass.”
Recording “Heart Of Glass” presented challenges. Producer Mike Chapman sought to align Burke’s drumming with a Roland drum machine, an experimental method requiring Burke to record each drum part separately before compiling the rhythm track over a week. Chapman later remarked to the Wall Street Journal that by the session’s conclusion, Burke “was ready to kill me.”
In 1982, when Stein faced a serious health issue, Blondie paused operations. During this break, Burke played with The Romantics and collaborated with artists like Pete Townshend, Joan Jett, Sex Pistol Steve Jones, and The Ramones, adopting the stage name Elvis Ramone.
Burke rejoined Blondie when they regrouped in 1997, contributing to their sixth UK number one single, “Maria,” in 1999. Debbie Harry emphasized the significance of having the original members together, telling BBC News in 2021 that their legacy would have been diminished without Burke, Stein, and herself.
Outside of his musical pursuits, Burke dedicated time to researching the physical and psychological impacts of drumming, leading to the establishment of the Clem Burke Drumming Project in 2008. This initiative showed that drummers could reach physical exertion levels similar to professional athletes. His efforts earned him an honorary doctorate from the University of Gloucestershire in 2011.
During his extensive career, Burke also performed with Iggy Pop, Bob Dylan, The Ramones, Eurythmics, Nancy Sinatra, and Mark Owen of Take That. In 2006, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Blondie, recognizing his influence on rock music.
Burke’s last performance with Blondie took place at Northern Ireland’s Belsonic festival the previous summer, where he wore his iconic CBGB t-shirt as a nod to his punk rock roots. Blondie continued to perform and record over the years, appearing on Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage as recently as 2023.
Harry and Stein concluded their tribute saying, “Godspeed, Dr Burke.”
