Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Blondie Drummer Clem Burke Dead At 70
Udiscovermusic ^ | April 7, 2025 | Sam Armstrong

Posted on 04/07/2025 12:45:42 PM PDT by nickcarraway

The ‘heartbeat of Blondie’ and session player for the likes of Eurythmics, Bob Dylan, and Iggy Pop, died following a ‘private battle with cancer.’

Clem Burke, best known as the drummer of Blondie, has died at age 70. A statement from the band said that his death follows a “private battle with cancer.”

“Clem was not just a drummer; he was the heartbeat of Blondie,” the band added. “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 was recruited by Debbie Harry and Chris Stein to join Blondie in 1975 and he played on all of the band’s albums, including their 1976 self-titled debut and iconic record’s like 1978’s Parallel Lines and 1979’s Eat to the Beat. When Blondie disbanded in 1982 following The Hunter, 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,” the band wrote in their statement. “His influence and contributions have spanned decades and genres, leaving an indelible mark on every project he was a part of.”

Burke joined Blondie when it reformed in the 1990s and released five more records between 1999 and 2017.

Born Clement Anthony Bozewski on November 24, 1954, Burke followed in the footsteps of his drummer father while coming of age in Bayonne, New Jersey. Left-handed but playing a right-handed kit (like his hero Ringo Starr), a teenage Burke played in some cover bands while marching in a drum corps. He moved to New York and teamed up with Harry and Stein. “My quest was to find my David Bowie, my Jim Morrison or my Mick Jagger to front a band,” Burke told Tidal in 2022. “I was emphatic about that. I needed to work with people that I felt had that sort of charisma and creativity.”

Burke was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006 alongside bandmates Harry, Stein, founding keyboardist Jimmy Destri and bassist Gary Valentine and guitarist Frank Infante.

Last year, Burke performed as part of the group Lust For Life, an Iggy Pop tribute project. He also played in the band Tall Poppy Syndrome, which featured Members of the Bee Gees, The Jigsaw Seen, and Strangers in a Strange Land.


TOPICS: Music/Entertainment
KEYWORDS: 70s; 80s; blondie; drums; music; newwave
Atomic Blondie Clem Burke Drumming Skills Melbourne Sidney Myer Music Bowl 3rd December 2012

WHAT IT'S LIKE TO WATCH BLONDIE CLEM BURKE PERFORMING UP-CLOSE

Blondie’s 20 greatest songs – ranked! (FR)

1 posted on 04/07/2025 12:45:42 PM PDT by nickcarraway
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

Bummer. Amazing drummer. Dreaming is one of my favorites by him. He was still killing that song to this day. RIP, Clem, and thanks for all the great music and memories.


2 posted on 04/07/2025 12:48:19 PM PDT by AnglePark (My opinion is the most worthless thing I own.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway
Burke shines in this one, enjoy !!

Blondie - Dreaming
3 posted on 04/07/2025 12:51:40 PM PDT by Kid Shelleen (Beat your plowshares into swords. Let the weak say I am strong)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

Great drummer. RIP.


4 posted on 04/07/2025 1:02:59 PM PDT by ClearCase_guy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Kid Shelleen
RIP Clem, who were a great drummer.

Debbie Harry is near 80.

5 posted on 04/07/2025 1:04:54 PM PDT by DallasBiff (Apology not accepted.la is not the sharpest knife in the drawer)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

Dropping like flies......................


6 posted on 04/07/2025 1:06:33 PM PDT by Red Badger (Homeless veterans camp in the streets while illegals are put up in 5 Star hotels....................)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway
R.I.P.

7 posted on 04/07/2025 1:06:39 PM PDT by Governor Dinwiddie ( O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is gracious, and His mercy endureth forever. — Psalm 106)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

So sad.

70 is the new 90.


8 posted on 04/07/2025 1:07:05 PM PDT by Jane Long (Jesus is Lord!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: stylecouncilor

Ping


9 posted on 04/07/2025 1:11:18 PM PDT by windcliff
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Kid Shelleen

“Dreaming” is my favorite Blondie song.


10 posted on 04/07/2025 1:22:33 PM PDT by wizardoz (The greatest wealth is to live content with little. -Plato)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway
"...a teenage Burke played in some cover bands while marching in a drum corps..."

He marched with St. Andrews Bridgemen (later to become the even more famous Bayonne Bridgemen) for you Drum and Bugle Corps fans out there...

11 posted on 04/07/2025 1:27:32 PM PDT by rlmorel ("A people that elect corrupt politicians are not victims...but accomplices." George Orwell)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

This guy was surely in the top 10 rock drummers of all time.

Probably top 5.


12 posted on 04/07/2025 1:30:31 PM PDT by Mariner (War Criminal #18)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

He always reminded me of a young Paul McCartney.


13 posted on 04/07/2025 1:31:30 PM PDT by Macho MAGA Man (The last two weren't balloons. One was a cylindrical object)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

He always reminded me of a young Paul McCartney.


14 posted on 04/07/2025 1:31:45 PM PDT by Macho MAGA Man (The last two weren't balloons. One was a cylindrical object)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: rlmorel

Did he ever march with Madison?


15 posted on 04/07/2025 1:53:34 PM PDT by CTyank
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

I consider 70s music to be the Dark Ages of music. I can’t stand listening to most of it to this day. When “Heart of Glass” came out in 1979 it really heralded what was to become the Renaissance that the 80s were. Blondie will always be one of my all-time favorite groups.


16 posted on 04/07/2025 1:58:17 PM PDT by AlaskaErik (There are three kinds of rats: Rats, Damned Rats, and DemocRats.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

All that is over now. Does Jesus know him, is all we keep.

Pharoah’s pyramids build over other pharoahs....hills of shifting sand.

God have mercy on his soul.


17 posted on 04/07/2025 3:18:28 PM PDT by If You Want It Fixed - Fix It
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway

Rest in Peace Clem. He was a favorite here. He looked like a Trump voter to me.


18 posted on 04/07/2025 5:11:01 PM PDT by dennisw (💯🇺🇸 Truth is Hate to those who Hate the Truth. 🇺🇸💯)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: AnglePark

Mine too.


19 posted on 04/08/2025 4:29:11 AM PDT by sauropod (Make sure Satan has to climb over a lot of Scripture to get to you. John MacArthur Ne supra crepidam)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson