The blonde drummer Clem Burke is dead

Clem Burke, the Blondie drummer since their first album in 1976, died. He was 70 years old.

According to a statement published by the group, Burke died “following a private battle against cancer”. “Clem was not only a drummer; he was Blondie’s heart rate,” they wrote. “His talent, her energy and his passion for music have been unrivaled, and his contributions to our sound and our success are immeasurable.

“Beyond his musicality, Clem was a source of inspiration at the same time and out of the stage. His dynamic spirit, his contagious enthusiasm and his solid rock work ethics touched all those who had the privilege of knowing him.”

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Burke was born on November 24, 1954 in Bayonne, New Jersey. He played in local groups in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

He then joined Blondie in 1975, shortly after Deborah Harry and Chris Stein trained the group in New York. He played drums on all their albums, from the eponymous release of 1976, their breakthrough from 1978 Parallel lines1999 reunion record Out of way and 2017 Pollinatortheir most recent LP.

You can see Burke’s Blondie’s Declaration below.

Blondie broke after their sixth album, The hunterIn 1982. Harry launched a solo career before the group took over in 1999 with a new album.

Who did Clem Burke play with?

Bruke spent the 80s and 90s playing drums with other groups, including a regular concert with romantics. In 1987, he played with the Ramones as an Elvis Ramone.

As a session drummer, he played with Bob Dylan, Eurythmics, Joan Jett, Iggy Pop and Pete Townshend. He also played drums for artists as diverse as Wanda Jackson, Nancy Sinatra and the members of go-go and sex pistols throughout his long career.

He was inducted at Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2006 with the other original members of Blondie.

“His heritage will live through the enormous amount of music he created and the countless lives he touched,” concluded the group in his declaration.