Clem Burke, the longtime drummer for Blondie who played a key role in the New Wave movement and appeared on albums by Pete Townshend, Iggy Pop, and Bob Dylan, died Sunday at the age of 70.
“It is with profound sadness that we relay news of the passing of our beloved friend and bandmate Clem Burke following a private battle with cancer,” the band wrote in a 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. 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.”
Burke joined the band in 1975 and appeared on all of the band’s albums, including the band’s 1976 self-titled debut and landmark albums Parallel Lines (1978) and Eat to the Beat (1979).
After the group disbanded in 1982 following The Hunter (they’d go on to reform in 1999 and release five more albums), Burke became an in-demand session drummer. “A self-proclaimed ‘Rock & Roll survivalist,’ he played and collaborated with numerous iconic artists, including Eurythmics, Ramones, Bob Dylan, Bob Geldof, Iggy Pop, Joan Jett, Chequered Past, The Fleshtones, The Romantics, Dramarama, The Adult Net, The Split Squad, The International Swingers, L.A.M.F., Empty Hearts, Slinky Vagabond, and even the Go-Go’s,” the band wrote. “His influence and contributions have spanned decades and genres, leaving an indelible mark on every project he was a part of.”
Clement Anthony Bozewski was born November 24, 1954, the son of a drummer father in Bayonne, New Jersey. As a teen, he performed in numerous cover bands before moving to New York, where members Debbie Harry and Chris Stein recruited him for their new band.
“Keith Moon was a big inspiration for me as Ringo was, and they were both rock star drummers, they were not the drummer in the back. There was no jealousy over Debbie’s position, other than I wanted to be famous too and when you’re young and you’re trying to be famous you kind of have a gunslinger attitude,” Burke told Please Kill Me in 2017. “You have to endure a lot of rejection and you have to endure a lot of adversity in order to be that successful. It doesn’t happen overnight. You have to be able to deal with rejection. Of course, we would joke that we were the best opening band and no one really got what we were trying to do.”
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Despite decades as a revered rock star, Burke remained humble. “My idea of success was… I used to buy all my records in Woolworth’s cut-out bins,” Burke told Please Kill Me. “My version of success was winding up in the cut-out bin.”
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