Clem Burke, the drummer of the legendary Blondie Banda, died at 70. The musician suffered a cancer as reported by the group With a statement in your social networks. Together with Debbie Harry and Chris Stein, they formed the New Wave project in the mid -70s, in New York.
“With deep sadness we share the news of death of our dear friend and companion of band Clem Burke, after a private fight against cancer, ”said Harry and Stein in the official message. They stressed that Burke Not only was the Blondie drummer, but also “the heart of the band.”
“His vibrant spirit, his contagious enthusiasm and his solid work ethics as a rock moved everyone who had the privilege of knowing him,” added the group.
The drummer’s career, Clem Burke
“His influence and contributions covered decades and genres, leaving an indelible brand in each project he was part,” said Harry and Stein, these words reflect Burke’s impact on the music industry.
Although he was not a founding member of Blondie, Burke joined the band in 1975, just one year after his formation, and played a crucial role in his rise to fame. After the separation of Blondie in 1982, Burke continued his career as one of the most requested drummers of rock, collaborating with various bands and artists.
Blondie.jpg
The impact of Burke was not limited to his work with Blondie. As reported by the official statement, the drummer collaborated with an impressive list of artists and groups, including EurythMics, Ramones, Bob Dylan, Iggy Pop, Joan Jett, Bob Geldof, The Fleshtones, The Romantics, Dramarama, The Adult Net, The Split Squad, The International Swingers Hearts, Slinky Vagabond and The Go-Go’s.
His last tour took place in March 2024 in the United Kingdom, where he presented himself with his parallel project Lust for Life, along with Glen Matlock and Kevin Armstrong.
In addition to his musical activity, the artist had been working on a personal project that promised to show moments of his life and career. In an interview granted last year to Psychedelic Baby Mag, he announced that he was about to finish his memoirs, which were going to be published by Hachette in the United States and Harpercollins in the United Kingdom. At that time, Burke said Blondie had finished recording a new album. Its launch was scheduled for early 2025.
Source: Ambito
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
