Clem
Burke,
the
drummer
best
known
for
his
work
with
the
seminal
rock
band
Blondie,
has
passed
away.
He
was
70
years
old.
News
of
Burke’s
passing
comes
to
us
courtesy
of
a
statement
from
the
band.
Clem
Burke
attends
“Blondie
Panel
at
SXSW”
on
March
12,
2014
in
Austin,
Texas,
for
the
documentary
Blondie’s
New
York,
premiering
on
Smithsonian
Channel.
Clem
Burke’s
cause
of
death
revealed
“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,”
reps
for
Blondie
wrote.
“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,”
the
statement
continued.
“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,
singer/songwriter
Debbie
Harry
and
director
Rob
Roth
attend
“Blondie:
Vivir
En
La
Habana”
during
the
2021
Tribeca
Festival
at
The
Battery
on
June
16,
2021
in
New
York
City.
An
epic
career
behind
the
kit
Burke
joined
Blondie
in
1975
and
appeared
on
all
of
the
band’s
albums.
When
they
went
their
separate
ways
in
1982,
he
went
on
to
become
one
of
the
industry’s
most
in-demand
session
drummers.
“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
in
today’s
statement.
Clem
Burke
attends
“Blondie:
Vivir
En
La
Habana”
during
the
2021
Tribeca
Festival
at
The
Battery
on
June
16,
2021
in
New
York
City.
“His
influence
and
contributions
have
spanned
decades
and
genres,
leaving
an
indelible
mark
on
every
project
he
was
a
part
of.”
Much
more
than
just
a
drummer,
Burke
was
involved
in
all
aspects
of
Blondie’s
music
and
aesthetic
as
the
band
made
history
with
songs
like
“One
Way
or
Another,”
“Heart
of
Glass,”
and
“Call
Me.”
“We
extend
our
deepest
condolences
to
Clem’s
family,
friends,
and
fans
around
the
world.
His
legacy
will
live
on
through
the
tremendous
amount
of
music
he
created
and
the
countless
lives
he
touched,”
today’s
statement
concluded.
“As
we
navigate
this
profound
loss,
we
ask
for
privacy
during
this
difficult
time.
Godspeed,
Dr.
Burke.”
We’ll
have
further
updates
on
this
developing
story
as
new
information
becomes
available.
