How Blondie drummer Clem Burke stopped taking drugs and drinking in his rock band heyday as he ‘detested what substance abuse did to people’ – as he dies aged 70
dailymail.co.uk
By AMELIA WYNNE FOR MAILONLINE – 7th April 2025
The sad news of Blondie drummer Clem Burke’s death at the age of 70 was revealed on Monday – following his ‘private battle with cancer’.
The rock band shared a tribute on Facebook on Monday which read: ‘It is with profound sadness that we relay news of the passing of our beloved friend…’.
Having grown up in New Jersey, Clem moved to New York to join Blondie shortly after the band formed in 1975 and stayed with the group throughout its entire career.
He had a huge impact on the development of the band, recruiting his friend Gary Valentine to join as a bassist, and even kept them together, smoothing things over when founding members Debbie and Chris considering going their separate ways in its early days.
And while members of the band such as Debbie have been open about their past drug addiction including heroin use – Clem has in the past spoken with candidness on why he shunned the wild lifestyle early on.
Guitarist Chris Stein has previously said of the band’s wild ways: ‘We did way too many drugs. Everyone was doing f***ing tons of cocaine and that was considered OK.
‘But if you were doing heroin that was like, ‘I can’t talk to you anymore!’. There was a big line drawn and it all got very weird.’
In an interview for the Official Blondie Website back in 2003 Clem spoke about choosing a healthier life after a brief period of getting caught up in the manic rock scene.
He said: ‘I adopted healthy living a long time ago. I basically became a vegetarian about 20 years ago and stopped smoking, stopped taking drugs a long time ago.
‘I’ve actually just stopped drinking in the last couple of years. I never really had any problems with it, it was just kind of an ongoing life process type of thing. I’ve been big on exercise for a very long time and what I do involves the physical aspect.
‘Having said that I had a party in my room the other night and I was enjoying making drinks for everybody and watching them all drink. It’s not like I’m in AA or anything, I just decided I didn’t want to drink anymore. It would be really hard to have a full day and have a hangover and be on the road.’
Speaking to Music Radar in 2014 he also spoke about keeping his fitness levels and stamina up – and how much he ‘detested what drugs did to people’.
He said: ‘I train. I go swimming and do weight-training, I’ve also been vegetarian for about 30 years. I decided I wanted to be able to play as long as I wanted and that I would take a healthy approach to life in general. Back in the days when everybody was abusing themselves, I did my fair share of things.
‘I’ve seen lots of people’s careers being destroyed by drugs and alcohol. I detest drugs and I see what it does to people. There’s no way I’d be able to do this at my age if I didn’t pay attention to my health.’
Clem died aged 70 following a ‘private battle with cancer’.
The rock band shared a tribute on Facebook on Monday which read: ‘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.
‘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.
‘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. Clem’s influence extended far beyond Blondie.
‘A self proclaimed ‘Rock & Roll survivalist’, he played and collaborated with numerous iconic artists, including Eurythmics, Ramones, Bob Dylan, Bob Geldof, Iggy Pop, Joan Jett, Chequered Past, The Fleshtones, The Romantics, Dramarama, The Adult Net, The Split Squad, The International Swingers, L.A.M.F., Empty Hearts, Slinky Vagabond, and even 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.
‘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.
‘Debbie, Chris, and the entire Blondie family.’
His drumming lit up huge hits including the group’s six number ones, Heart Of Glass, Sunday Girl, Atomic, Call Me, The Tide Is High and Maria.
Clem was well known for his entertaining stage presence, often leaping over his drum kit at the end of a Blondie show.
During Blondie’s eventual 15-year hiatus from 1982 to 1997, Clem drummed for American punk band The Ramones under the name Elvis Ramone and was the regular drummer for The Romantics between 1990 and 2004.
The musician also took to the kit for the likes of Bob Dylan, Iggy Pop, Pete Townshend and Eurythmics.
In the 2000s, with Blondie reunited, Clem played live with Nancy Sinatra and the Go-Go’s Kathy Valentine.
The star was given the prestigious honour of being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006.
Clem was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Gloucestershire in 2011 after taking part in an eight-year study about the physical and psychological effects of drumming.
The same year he formed International Swingers with Sex Pistols bassist Glen Matlock and around the same time he was established the Split Squad.
Three years later, he was a founding member of the Empty Hearts, who released an album in 2014.
He even thrilled fans of the band by playing for tribute band Bootled Blondie in the 2010s while being a part of the group.
Bandmate Chris led the tributes to the drummer, posting two pictures of Clem on his X account.
The Charlatans front man Tim Burgess said, ‘oh man. Clem Burke was the epitome of a super cool drummer – so influential and a lovely guy,’ adding a video of a riproaring rendition of One Way Or Another.
He added: ‘I love it that Clem Burke was in a Blondie tribute band at the same time as actually being in Blondie.’
Former Kinks guitarist Dave Davies said: ‘I feel saddened that Clem Burke was taken from us so soon. May he rest in peace. Spectacular drumming. We were friends. #clemburke’
Friends have also been sharing fond memories of the musician on social media, with Ryan Hamilton posting: ‘Very sad to hear that my friend @clem_burke has passed.
‘He was, of course, the legendary drummer for @Blondie Official… but he was also a genuinely good guy. I was honored to know him, and call him a friend. Rest in peace, Clem #cancersucks’
Eric Alper added: ‘Clem Burke, longtime drummer of Blondie, has died at the age of 70 following a private battle with cancer. A founding member since 1975, Burke played on every Blondie album and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2006.’
Meanwhile, fans of Clem and the band have taken to X to post emotional messages after hearing the news.
‘RIP to legendary Blondie dummer Clem Burke.’
‘Incredibly sad to hear the news about Clem Burke. Rest easy Dr Burke.’
‘I am saddened to hear of the passing of one of my all time drummers Clem Burke. The beating heart of this iconic band and one of the finest of his and any generation.’
‘We lose another great drummer…..Clem Burke. Great drummer. Great look. Not only an amazing career weilding the sticks for Blondie but also several Heritage Chart Hits with Tall Poppy Syndrome. Sad loss for Vince, Jonathan, Paul, Alec, Carla et al .. What a legacy.’
In 2023, Clem backed a scientific research project which found children with autism showed reduced symptoms after eight weeks of drumming lessons.
It suggested drumming be taught in schools to help children deal with dyslexia and autism.
At the time, the Blondie star said drumming was a ‘very positive lifestyle’.
Describing the research project at The Royal Society’s Summer Science Exhibition in London, he said: ‘We found the physical and mental attributes of drumming are a very positive lifestyle.
‘And it only gets better as you get older as long as you can keep doing it.
‘And also we are finding that children with autism, for instance, can really take to simple drumming exercises.’
He recommended that schools in the UK consider teaching drumming to pupils with autism.
For parents who might baulk at a child saying they want a drum kit for Christmas, Clem said: ‘If a kid’s motivated to do something like drumming, you don’t really want to stop the creative process.’
