Clem Burke, legendary drummer for punk rock band Blondie, died Monday at age 70 after a private battle with cancer.
Blondie was one of the most successful bands of the late ’70s and early ’80s, known for hits like “Call Me,” “One Way or Another,” “The Tide is High” and “Heart of Glass.”
“When I do a drum fill, I try to make it interesting, catchy,” Burke said in a 2018 documentary by Sky Arts. “It almost becomes a hook to the song. I like to draw people into what I’m doing and enjoy it.”
Burke got his start in marching bands and cover groups before he was recruited to Blondie in 1974.
He was the band’s “heartbeat,” Blondie wrote in a post on Instagram shortly after his death. “His talent, energy, and passion for music were unmatched, and his contributions to our sound and success are immeasurable.”
He appeared on all of the band’s albums, including “Parallel Lines” (1978) and “Eat to the Beat” (1979) which featured the hit songs “One Way or Another” and “Atomic,” respectively. Burke’s innovative beats formed the rhythmic backbone of the band’s classic tracks.
Playing with Blondie was just the beginning of a decades-long musical career. Burke would go on to drum with numerous bands and artists, including Bob Dylan, Eurythmics, Iggy Pop, the Ramones, Pete Townshend and more.
Burke was known for his raw skill and innate sense of timing. He was a powerhouse, capable of drumming loudly and at high speeds. But he played with empathy, ensuring his beats complemented, and did not overwhelm, the other band members and their melodies.
A lifelong student, Burke had an encyclopedic knowledge of rock ’n’ roll and always sought to innovate. He took his inspiration from other great drummers like Keith Moon, drummer for rock band the Who.
“His vibrant spirit, infectious enthusiasm and rock solid work ethic touched everyone who had the privilege of knowing him,” the band wrote.
Burke didn’t tire easily. He wanted to practise tracks over and over. “He does that full-steam ahead, maniac drummer thing, where he doesn’t stop,” said Matt Katz-Bohen, keyboardist for the Blondie since 2008, in the Sky Arts documentary. “You can’t actually get him to stop.”
Blondie split in 1982, but Burke kept going. He became an in-demand session drummer, hired to play in recording sessions and live performances on a temporary or freelance basis.
Blondie eventually regrouped in 1999 and released five more albums.
The band came out with anthem “Maria” and, in 2006, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Burke was getting older but stayed in great shape, playing with much the same energy he did in the ’70s and ’80s. He became involved in a years-long study about the psychological and physical effects of drumming. The “Clem Burke Drumming Project,” as it was known, demonstrated that drummers can attain the same level of exertion as professional athletes. In 2011, Burke was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Gloucestershire for his work on the project.
“His influence and contributions have spanned decades and genres, leaving an indelible mark on every project he was a part of,” Blondie wrote.
