Clem Burke, the well-known drummer for the 1970s new wave band Blondie, passed away at the age of 70 after a private battle with cancer, confirmed by the band’s spokesperson. Burke, recognized as one of the greatest drummers of all time by Rolling Stone magazine, died on Sunday, April 6, 2025.
Burke joined Blondie in 1975, taking over from original drummer Billy O’Connor, and contributed to all 11 of the band’s studio albums, beginning with their debut in 1976 through their last release in 2017. His dynamic fills and melodic touches were crucial to UK number one hits such as “Call Me,” “The Tide Is High,” “Atomic,” and “Heart of Glass,” with Burke adeptly navigating punk, reggae, disco, and hip-hop rhythms.
His bandmates, founders Debbie Harry and Chris Stein, honored Burke on Facebook, stating that Burke’s talent, energy, and passion for music were unparalleled, and that he was an inspiration both on and off the stage.
Born and raised in New Jersey, Burke once said his earliest memory was “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 outset, he saw his role as more than just keeping time.
Last year, Burke told Mixdown magazine about his admiration for drummers like Hal Blaine, known as Phil Spector’s preferred session drummer, and Earl Palmer, who played with artists such as Little Richard and Fats Domino. He expressed his desire to emulate their musicality and versatility, aiming to contribute to a song rather than detract from it.
Blondie rose to prominence in New York City punk venues like CBGB, alongside bands such as Talking Heads, Television, and Patti Smith. However, it was their 1978 album “Parallel Lines” that brought them mainstream success, featuring new wave hits like “One Way Or Another” and the disco-influenced “Heart of Glass.”
Recording the drum track for “Heart Of Glass” was challenging. Producer Mike Chapman wanted Burke’s playing synchronized with a Roland drum machine, an experimental technique requiring Burke to play each drum individually before assembling the rhythm track over a week. Chapman later told the Wall Street Journal that by the end of the session, Burke “was ready to kill me.”
When Stein fell critically ill in 1982, Blondie temporarily disbanded. During this period, Burke played with the US rock band The Romantics and collaborated with various artists, including Pete Townshend, Joan Jett, Sex Pistol Steve Jones, and The Ramones, adopting the stage name Elvis Ramone.
Burke rejoined Blondie when they reformed in 1997, helping the band achieve their sixth UK number one single with “Maria” in 1999. Debbie Harry emphasized the importance of having original members together, telling BBC News in 2021 that without Burke, Stein, and herself, their legacy would have been diluted.
Beyond his music career, Burke invested time in studying the physical and psychological effects of drumming. This research led to the creation of the Clem Burke Drumming Project in 2008, which showed that drummers can reach the same physical exertion levels as professional athletes. His work earned him an honorary doctorate from the University of Gloucestershire in 2011.
Throughout his extensive career, Burke also performed with Iggy Pop, Bob Dylan, The Ramones, Eurythmics, Nancy Sinatra, and Take That’s Mark Owen, among others. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Blondie in 2006, acknowledging his significant impact on rock music.
Burke made his last appearance with Blondie at Northern Ireland’s Belsonic festival last summer, still wearing his iconic CBGB t-shirt, reflecting his punk rock roots. Blondie continued to perform and record over the decades, appearing on Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage as recently as 2023.
Harry and Stein concluded their tribute, saying, “Godspeed, Dr Burke.”