"The heartbeat of Blondie": Legendary rocker passes away
<p>Clem Burke, the powerhouse drummer who kept the beat for Blondie across decades of chart-topping success, has died at the age of 70 following a private battle with cancer.</p>
<p>The heartbreaking news was announced by Blondie’s founding members, singer Debbie Harry and guitarist Chris Stein, in a solemn statement shared to the band’s official Instagram page on Monday.</p>
<p>“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,” they wrote. “Clem was not just a drummer. He was the heartbeat of Blondie.”</p>
<p>Known for his unmatched energy and passion, Burke’s talent propelled Blondie through their meteoric rise from the New York City rock scene of the 1970s to international acclaim. Harry and Stein praised him as a force both on and off stage, calling him “a source of inspiration” and remembering his “vibrant spirit, infectious enthusiasm, and rock solid work ethic”.</p>
<p>Burke’s thunderous drumming powered Blondie’s biggest hits, including “Call Me” and “One Way Or Another”. Though the band originally disbanded in 1982, they reunited in 1997, with Burke once again behind the kit. His final album with the band was Pollinator, released in 2017.</p>
<p>Beyond Blondie, Burke’s legendary career saw him perform alongside music greats such as David Bowie, Bob Dylan, the Ramones – with whom he briefly played drums in 1987 – as well as Eurythmics, Iggy Pop, Joan Jett and countless others. As the band wrote, Burke was a self-proclaimed “Rock & Roll survivalist”, whose versatility and dedication made him a beloved collaborator in every circle he entered.</p>
<p>Burke is survived by his wife of over 20 years, Ellen Burke. The couple, who married in 2003, did not have children. The type of cancer Burke battled was not disclosed in the band’s announcement.</p>
<p>Harry and Stein concluded their tribute with a message of gratitude and mourning: “His influence and contributions have spanned decades and genres, leaving an indelible mark on every project he was a part of. 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.”</p>
<p>“As we navigate this profound loss, we ask for privacy during this difficult time. Godspeed, Dr Burke.”</p>
<p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>
