Music Correspondent
Clem Burke, the drummer for Nineteen Seventies new wave band Blondie, has died aged 70 following a “personal battle with most cancers”, the band’s spokesperson has confirmed to the BBC.
Named one of many best drummers of all time by Rolling Stone journal, his energetic fills and melodic thrives elevated UK primary hits like Name Me, The Tide Is Excessive, Atomic and Coronary heart Of Glass – with Burke deftly switching between punk, reggae, disco and hip-hop grooves.
In a protracted and different profession, he additionally performed with Iggy Pop, Bob Dylan, The Ramones, Eurythmics and Take That is Mark Owen.
“Clem was not only a drummer; he was the heartbeat of Blondie,” his bandmates mentioned in a tribute posted on Fb.
“His expertise, vitality, and keenness for music have been unmatched, and his contributions to our sound and success are immeasurable,” wrote singer Debbie Harry and guitarist Chris Stein.
“Past his musicianship, Clem was a supply of inspiration each on and off the stage. His vibrant spirit, infectious enthusiasm and rock strong work ethic touched everybody who had the privilege of realizing him.”
Burke was born and raised in New Jersey, and mentioned his earliest reminiscence was “taking part in my father’s package alongside to the 4 Seasons”.
He gained expertise in marching bands and canopy teams, earlier than being recruited for Blondie in 1974.
From the beginning, he envisioned his function as one thing greater than a mere time-keeper.
“I all the time appreciated drummers like Hal Blaine (Phil Spector’s go-to session drummer) and Earl Palmer (Little Richard, Fat Domino) who have been consummate studio musicians, and had the sort of musicality and flexibility that I aspired to,” he advised Mixdown journal final 12 months.
“I wished to have the ability to contribute to the music moderately than detract.”
The band made their title in New York punk golf equipment similar to CBGB, alongside contemporaries similar to Speaking Heads, Tv, and Patti Smith and launched their self-titled debut album in 1976.
Nonetheless, it was 1978’s Parallel Strains that made them family names, powered by new wave hits like One Approach Or One other and the disco grooves of Coronary heart of Glass.
Recording the drum monitor for Coronary heart Of Glass was a torturous expertise, nonetheless.
Producer Mike Chapman wished to synchronise Burke’s taking part in to a Roland drum machine – an experimental process that led to the drummer taking part in every of his drums individually, then piecing collectively the rhythm monitor over the interval of per week.
By the tip of the session, “he was able to kill me,” Chapman later advised the Wall Avenue Journal.
When Stein turned critically ailing in 1982, Blondie disbanded.
Burke spent the intervening years taking part in with US rock band The Romantics, and labored with everybody from Pete Townshend and Joan Jett, to Intercourse Pistol Steve Jones and The Ramones – for whom he adopted the stage title Elvis Ramone.
Nonetheless, he returned to Blondie after they reformed in 1999, and scored his sixth UK primary single with the anthemic Maria.
Talking to BBC Information in 2021, Harry mentioned that having Burke again within the band meant their legacy would not be diluted.
“I feel loads of occasions when bands get again collectively, they do not have sufficient of the unique musicians,” she mentioned.
“With Chris and Clem and myself, we had that core, and it actually weighed closely, ?”
The band have continued to carry out and document ever since, and performed Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage in 2023.
Burke additionally turned concerned with a years-long examine of the bodily and psychological results of drumming.
That led to the institution of the Clem Burke Drumming Challenge in 2008, whose detailed research confirmed that drummers can attain the identical bodily exertion as skilled athletes.
Consequently, he was given an honorary doctorate by the College of Gloucestershire in 2011.
Burke made his final look with Blondie at Northern Eire’s Belsonic competition final summer season, nonetheless sporting his CBGB t-shirt.
“His affect and contributions have spanned many years and genres, leaving an indelible mark on each undertaking he was part of,” wrote Harry and Stein on Fb.
“We lengthen our deepest condolences to Clem’s household, associates, and followers around the globe. His legacy will reside on by means of the super quantity of music he created and the numerous lives he touched.
“Godspeed, Dr Burke.”