Clem Burke, the drummer for New Wave band Blondie since 1975, has died. Founding members Debbie Harry and Chris Stein shared the news this morning on Instagram, confirming that he had died “following a private battle with cancer.” He was 70 years old.
“Clem was not just a drummer, he was the heartbeat of Blondie,” Harry and Stein continued in their statement. “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.”
Born in New Jersey in 1954, Burke was a quick addition to Blondie after vocalist Harry and guitarist Stein formed the band in 1974, per Deadline After joining early the following year, Burke went on to play on every Blondie album for the rest of their career, most recently on 2017’s Pollinator. Harry and Stein discovered Burke playing in local bands, and his presence in the group has been described as a grounding one in moments of conflict and strife.
“I don’t know what I would be doing if I wasn’t playing,” Burke told Mixtown Magazine last year. “Drumming has just always been there. Being in a band has just always been my social life from a very early age.” Outside of Blondie, Burke worked with a number of other major rock and pop acts of the 20th century, contributing drums to records from Eurythmics, Iggy Pop, Pete Townshend, The Romantics, and The Adult Net. Burke was also briefly part of The Ramones in 1987, drumming for the group under the name Elvis Ramone.
In 2006, Burke was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame as a member of Blondie. As recently as 2023, Burke shared that he was still creating new music with Blondie, teasing to The Strange Brew that there was a “latest album that we’ve done that’s yet to be released.” In late 2024, the band confirmed that the new album would arrive sometime this year. Burke continued to perform with the band nearly until the end of his life, performing as co-headliners with Alice Cooper in 2024. “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,” the band’s statement today concluded. “As we navigate this profound loss, we ask for privacy during this difficult time.”
