Footage of Clem Burke’s final live gig with Blondie has re-emerged following news of his death. Find it below, along with the full setlist.
The iconic drummer joined frontwoman Debbie Harry and guitarist Chris Stein in the group shortly after they formed in the mid ‘70s, and went on to be regarded as the “heartbeat” of the group.
News of his death arose earlier today (April 7), when a statement was shared by the band on social media. In it, Harry and Stein revealed that the 70-year-old passed away following a private battle with cancer.
“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,” they explained. “His vibrant spirit, infectious enthusiasm and rock solid work ethic touched everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. Clem’s influence extended far beyond Blondie.”
Now, amid countless tributes pouring in from fans and fellow musicians, footage from the drummer’s final show with Blondie has re-emerged online.
The gig took place last summer, and was held at the Ormeau Park in Belfast on June 19 as part of last year’s Belsonic Festival.
Taking to the stage, the band broke out a 12-song setlist that opened with the classic track ‘One Way Or Another’, before a cover of The Nerves’ ‘Hanging On The Telephone’.
Fan favourites ‘Call Me’, ‘Atomic’, ‘Heart Of Glass’ and their version of The Paragons’ ‘The Tide Is High’ all followed, as did ‘Maria’, ‘Rapture’, ‘In The Flesh’ and more.
The show ended with a closing performance of ‘Dreaming’. Find footage from the show above, and the setlist below.
The setlist from Clem Burke’s final show with Blondie was:
‘One Way or Another’
‘Hanging on the Telephone’ (The Nerves cover)
‘Call Me’
‘Living in the Real World’
‘Atomic’
‘X Offender’
‘In the Flesh’
‘Rapture’
‘The Tide Is High’ (The Paragons cover)
‘Maria’
‘Heart of Glass’
‘Dreaming’
After joining the line-up in 1975, Burke was credited with keeping the group together after the founding members considered disbanding following the departure of original bassist Fred Smith to Television.
When the members went on hiatus between 1982 and 1997, the sticksman temporarily joined the Ramones under the name Elvis Ramone. He also acted as drummer for The Romantics between 1990 and 2004, and played with artists including Bob Dylan, Iggy Pop, Pete Townshend and Eurythmics.
Other milestones included an induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2006 and Blondie receiving the Godlike Genius Award at the NME Awards in 2014.
Visit here to find more tributes that have been made from the likes of Tim Burgess, Dave Davies, Johnny Marr and more.
