Clem Burke, the drummer behind Blondie’s chart-topping hits in the 1970s and 1980s, has passed away aged 70 after a private battle with cancer. His bandmates Debbie Harry and Chris Stein paid tribute to him on Instagram, describing him as “the heartbeat of Blondie” whose talent, energy, and passion for music were unmatched.
Burke was an integral part of the band that defined the American new wave sound in the 1970s and 1980s, scoring six UK No 1 hits and four US chart-toppers. He played on every one of Blondie’s 11 studio albums alongside Harry and Stein, and also collaborated with artists such as Ramones, Eurythmics, Bob Dylan, and Nancy Sinatra.
Born in Bayonne, New Jersey, Burke was drawn to music at a young age and joined local covers groups before auditioning for Blondie in 1975. He played drums for the band from 1975 until their split in 1982 and also worked with various supergroups and artists throughout his career.
Blondie reformed in 1997 and released several successful albums, including “No Exit” in 1999 which reached No 3 in the UK and included a No 1 single. Burke’s legacy continues to be celebrated by fans and fellow musicians, including Nancy Sinatra who described him as an “icon” and Gerald Casale of Devo praising his “unmatched style and New York City ‘cool'”.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/apr/07/clem-burke-blondie-drummer-dies-aged-70