London — Clem Burke, the iconic drummer of the seminal 1970s new wave band Blondie, has died at age 70 after a private battle with cancer, the band’s spokesperson announced. Burke, celebrated as one of the top drummers in music history by Rolling Stone magazine, passed away on Sunday, April 6, 2025.
Joining Blondie in 1975, Burke replaced the band’s original drummer and quickly made an indelible mark on the music scene. He played on all 11 of Blondie’s studio albums, from their eponymous debut in 1976 to their last release in 2017, helping to drive the band’s success with hits like “Call Me,” “The Tide Is High,” and “Heart of Glass.”
Founding members Debbie Harry and Chris Stein paid tribute to Burke, expressing their admiration for his unmatched energy and dedication to music on their social media platforms. They highlighted that his dynamic presence elevated every performance, both on and off stage.
Born in New Jersey, Burke’s musical journey began at a young age, inspired by his father’s drum kit and the music of the Four Seasons. Before his career-defining stint with Blondie, he refined his skills in various marching bands and cover groups, always seeking to add depth and complexity to the music he played.
Burke’s approach to drumming was influenced by luminaries like Hal Blaine and Earl Palmer, as he discussed in a recent interview with Mixdown magazine. His goal was always to serve the song, enhancing rather than overpowering the music—a philosophy that powered many of Blondie’s recordings.
Blondie first carved their niche in New York’s burgeoning punk scene, performing at iconic venues such as CBGB. Their big breakthrough came with the 1978 album “Parallel Lines,” which featured a mix of punk, disco, and new wave tracks that captivated a mainstream audience.
One of their most famous songs, “Heart of Glass,” was a triumph not just of genre blending but of studio innovation. The recording process, undertaken with producer Mike Chapman, involved aligning Burke’s live drumming with a Roland drum machine—a challenging task that Burke later recalled tested his patience to the utmost.
The band faced a hiatus in 1982 when Chris Stein battled a serious illness, during which time Burke explored other musical collaborations. He played with artists like Pete Townshend and Joan Jett, and even joined The Ramones for a brief period under the stage name Elvis Ramone.
Reuniting in 1997, Blondie returned to the charts with “Maria” in 1999, once again featuring Burke’s powerful drumming. Harry emphasized that the band’s enduring legacy was largely thanks to its founding members remaining active and creative together.
Beyond his performing career, Burke was passionate about studying the physical and psychological effects of drumming. In 2008, he helped launch the Clem Burke Drumming Project, which revealed that the physical exertion of drumming could rival that of professional athletes. His contributions to music and science earned him an honorary doctorate from the University of Gloucestershire in 2011.
Throughout his career, Burke also collaborated with a host of other renowned artists, including Iggy Pop, Bob Dylan, and Eurythmics. His illustrious career was capped with an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Blondie in 2006.
Burke’s final performance with Blondie was at the Belsonic festival in Northern Ireland last summer, a fitting return to his punk rock roots, signaled by his choice of wearing a classic CBGB t-shirt.
Reflecting on his incredible journey and contributions, Harry and Stein summed up their feelings simply and poignantly: “Godspeed, Dr Burke.”