‘The heartbeat of Blondie’ dies at 70 after ‘private battle with cancer’

Clem Burke, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame drummer of Blondie, died Sunday from cancer.

The artist — a drummer’s drummer whose performances earned rave reviews from both fans and fellow musicians — was 70.

Blondie, the New York City new wave act that Burke helped propel to international success in the ’70s, made the news of the drummer’s death public on social media on Monday.

“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 Blondie posted on Facebook.

Blondie, of course, is best known for its charismatic lead vocalist — Debbie Harry — who, for millions of fans, absolutely personified the band’s name through album covers, posters and popular videos.

Yet, Burke’s powerful drumming would often the steal the show, drawing the attention away from the sensational lead singer and straight to the kit.

“Clem was not just a drummer; he was the heartbeat of Blondie,” Blondie continued in its post. “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.”

Born Nov. 24, 1954 in Bayonne, New Jersey, Burke joined Blondie in 1975, the year after Harry and guitarist Chris Stein founded the band. After garnering a following in NYC’s thriving new wave/punk scene of the era — centered around the legendary CBGB club — Blondie ended up scoring a deal with British label Chrysalis Records in 1977.

Propelled by Burke’s steady, yet versatile drumming — which was reportedly influenced by the illustrious likes of Hal Blaine, Keith Moon, Ringo Starr and Earl Palmer — the band went on to land such marquee hits as “Call Me,” “Heart of Glass,” “Dreaming,” “One Way or Another, “The Tide Is High” and “Rapture.”

Although pigeonholed as a new wave act, the group actually drew from so many different musical styles — disco, pop, funk, reggae, rap, etc. — and Burke was able to rise to the challenge in every situation.

The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006, reflecting the chart-topping work that it did in the ’70s and ’80s. Yet, Burke continued to draw glowing reviews from his performances well into the 2020s — especially from other musicians. As just one example, Violent Femmes co-founder and bassist Brian Ritchie spoke of how impressed he was of Burke after both of their bands played the huge ’80s music festival Cruel World at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena in 2022.

“I was watching him and I was in awe of how he just controlled the music so much,” Ritchie said of Burke during an interview with this newspaper in 2022. “He was like conductor, basically, but he was also playing flawlessly and with a lot of emotion.”

Burke stayed busy even when he wasn’t performing with Blondie, with a number of other artists and groups calling upon his ample skills.

“Clem’s influence extended far beyond Blondie,” the post on Blondie’s website continued. “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.

“His influence and contributions have spanned decades and genres, leaving an indelible mark on every project he was a part of.”