The beat of rock music lost one of its most iconic driving forces with the passing of Clem Burke. The last remaining member of Blondie besides Debbie Harry herself, passed on the 6th of April 2025, and since his departure, we celebrate a talent whose mark on drumming won’t be forgotten. As we grieve this iconic musician, let us reflect on his life, influences and contributions to the drumming community over his 50-year career.
As a drummer, Clem Burke was a pioneer of the new wave. His signature mod look came from his adoration of well-renowned drummer Keith Moon of The Who. Burke once told Pete Townsend that the best part of his childhood drum lessons was the last 10 minutes, as he was allowed to play along with The Who tracks and channel the raw Keith Moon energy. It’s not unusual for Clem Burke to be compared with Keith Moon; even Ringo Starr has recognised the similarities while watching Burke perform. He radiated the flamboyance of Moon, sharing the same exuberance and energy. However, Clem Burke was a much more disciplined player, and his ability to perform that energetically during his four-on-the-floor is one of his many legacies.
Pictured- Clem Burke
Blondie is easily one of the most successful bands of their generation, thriving in an era where people wanted to dance. Releasing music from 1977-2017, their 50-year run was always accompanied by the ‘heartbeat’ of Clem Burke. He had a real passion for these tracks, he even went on tour with Bootleg Blondie- a Blondie tribute band, at 62 years old. Blondie are genre-straddlers; pop, disco, punk, reggae- they’ve done it all, and nobody kept up quite like Clem Burke. Blondie is not the extent of his resume however, Burke is a former drummer of Eurythmics and even had a spell as ‘Elvis Ramone’ with The Ramones. John DeCristopher, artist relations at Zildjian Cymbals USA, once told my Dad that Burke was left-handed, but still played a right-handed drum kit- this unique setup led him to adapt and develop a distinct technique, making his sound and playing style one-of-a-kind that many drummers struggle to replicate.
Pictured- the ad that Clem Burke responded to in 1975, from Chris Stein.
Pictured- Clem Burke with Bootleg Blondie, Sheffield 2019. From Bootleg Blondie site.
This powerhouse performer was not only an enthusiastic drummer, he also founded the Clem Burke drumming project in 2007, aiming to investigate the psychological and physiological demands of pop/rock drumming. He then went on to be awarded a Doctor of music from the University of Gloucestershire and the University of Chichester for his contribution to the arts and science through his research. Other well-known drummers were part of this project, such as Darrin Mooney (Primal Scream) and the late Robin Guy (Rachel Stamp, Sham 69) who sadly passed last September.
Pictured- Dr Clem Burke following his honorary doctorate. From Clem Burke Drumming Project.
Clem Burke was more than a drummer; he was a pioneer whose impact stretched far beyond the stage. From igniting Blondie’s rhythms to working with the science of drumming itself, his legacy will resonate through sound and spirit. As we remember Clem Burke, we don’t just mourn a musician, we celebrate a visionary and a rhythm that won’t fade.
Co-written with my Dad; David Dowell- dD Drums.