Drumming News
Clem Burke, the powerhouse drummer whose explosive, genre-bending rhythms helped define Blondie’s sound and the New Wave movement, has died at the age of 70 following a private battle with cancer. The news was confirmed by his longtime bandmates Debbie Harry and Chris Stein in a heartfelt statement: “Clem was not just a drummer; he was the heartbeat of Blondie. His talent, energy, and passion for music were unmatched, and his contributions to our sound and success are immeasurable.”
Born Clement Anthony Bozewski on November 24, 1954, in Bayonne, New Jersey, Burke was drawn to drumming from an early age. Inspired by his drummer father and musical icons like Keith Moon, Ringo Starr, and Hal Blaine, he developed a uniquely energetic style that would become central to Blondie’s success. Burke joined the band in 1975, shortly after its formation, and remained a constant presence on all 11 of their studio albums—from their 1976 debut to their 2017 record Pollinator.
Burke’s dynamic playing helped Blondie transcend genres. From the disco pulse of “Heart of Glass” to the reggae rhythms of “The Tide Is High,” the punk punch of “One Way or Another,” and the hip-hop experiments of “Rapture,” Burke’s adaptability was unmatched. “He could play, and you could tell that it was his life,” Debbie Harry once said. Rolling Stone, which ranked him among the 100 Greatest Drummers of All Time, praised his “crisp backbeat and kinetic, Keith Moon-influenced bluster.”
Despite never receiving songwriting credits during the band’s early years, Burke’s creative fingerprints are all over Blondie’s hits. His first writing credit came on “Boom Boom in the Zoom Zoom Room” from the 1999 comeback album No Exit, a title he also coined.
When Blondie disbanded in 1982, Burke became an in-demand session and touring drummer, working with a staggering array of artists including Iggy Pop, Bob Dylan, Pete Townshend, Joan Jett, Eurythmics, and even The Ramones, briefly adopting the name Elvis Ramone. He also played in numerous side projects and supergroups, including Chequered Past, The International Swingers, and The Empty Hearts.
Burke’s reputation extended far beyond his technical ability. Known for his unshakable work ethic and spirited charisma, he was admired by fans and fellow musicians alike. “He went out as hot as he came in,” said Duran Duran’s John Taylor, remembering Burke’s fiery performance at the 2023 Cruel World festival.
In addition to his musical work, Burke contributed to scientific research through the Clem Burke Drumming Project, a study into the physical and psychological demands of drumming. Its findings led to Burke receiving an honorary doctorate from the University of Gloucestershire in 2011.
Despite his decades-spanning rock stardom, Burke remained humble. “My version of success was winding up in the cutout bin,” he once joked, recalling how he used to buy records from Woolworth’s bargain section.
Burke is survived by his wife, Ellen Burke, whom he married in 2003. The couple did not have children. His final performance with Blondie took place at Belsonic festival in Northern Ireland in the summer of 2023, where he performed wearing his iconic CBGB T-shirt—an enduring nod to his punk roots.
As tributes continue to pour in from across the music world, one thing is clear: Clem Burke’s rhythms didn’t just drive Blondie—they helped shape modern rock and roll. His legacy, as both a musician and a person, will continue to echo through the songs he helped create and the countless artists he inspired.
“Godspeed, Dr. Burke.”
