Blondie Drummer Clem Burke Dead at 70
By Craig Rosen,
2025-04-07
Clem Burke , the iconic drummer of the groundbreaking pop-punk band Blondie , has died from cancer. He was 70.
The news was announced Monday, April 7 on the band’s official social media accounts .
“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 post reads.
Burke powered Blondie, the band fronted by singer Debbie Harry and guitarist Chris Stein , throughout their career, joining the band in its infancy in 1975. He played on such Blondie hits as the chart-topping singles “Heart of Glass,” “Call Me,” “The Tide Is High” and “Rapture.”
Although Blondie began as a New York punk band, it was one of the first to crossover to mainstream success by exploring disco, reggae, funk and hip-hop in its music, while retaining its punk edge on songs like “One Way or Another” and “Dreaming.”
“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."
In recent years, Burke and Harry were the only original members of the band to continue to perform live under the Blondie name through 2024.
Aside for his work with Blondie, Burke played briefly with the Ramones as Elvis Ramone and worked with a bevy of other artists including Eurythmics, Bob Dylan , Bob Geldof , Iggy Pop , Joan Jett , The Fleshtones, The Romantics, Dramarama, and 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,” the statement adds.
“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. As we navigate this profound loss, we ask for privacy during this difficult time. Godspeed, Dr. Burke,” the message concluded.
Burke also played in a Blondie tribute band in the U.K. called Bootleg Blondie, something his fellow Blondie band members weren’t thrilled about.
“It’s a very interesting experience for me, although somewhat controversial, but I’m able to see that the legacy of Blondie is really the songs,” he said in a 2022 interview for TIDAL.
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