Late Drummer Remembered With Tribute Attended by Rock Royalty
Friends held a celebration of life for Blondie drummer Clem Burke, who died from cancer in April.
parade.com
By Craig Rosen – 6th October 2025
Friends of Clem Burke gathered in New York City on Sunday, Oct. 5 to pay tribute to the late Blondie drummer, who died from cancer at the age of 70 back in early April.
While the memorial was not open to the public, Blondie co-founder Chris Stein shared some details about the event on Instagram along with a carousel of photos of some of the famous attendees.
According to Stein’s post, the event was hosted by Saturday Night Live alum Fred Armisen and was attended by a number of notable rock stars, including Burke’s Blondie bandmates singer Deborah Harry, prime period keyboardist Jimmy Destri, and latter-day member Glen Matlock of the Sex Pistols.
Other attendees included Bruce Springsteen and the E Street band guitarist Stevie Van Zandt, Ramones drummer Marky Ramone, Burke’s one-time girlfriend Kathy Valentine of the Go-Go’s and others.
“Last night was a Clem Burke tribute. Fred hosted it. A lot of moving stuff. Just thanks so much everyone who showed up and helped get it together.
@sordociego @stevievanzandt @markyramoneofficial @thomasmanzi @kathy.valentine @obeygiant for the great Clem graphic from @bobby___grossman photo @glenmatlock1 @francisbaconegg @valistein @mattkatzbohen @therealtommyk @andeeblacksugar @jimmydestri all of the crew and band who were there. Was quite the event. Thanks Clem,” Stein wrote in the caption.
His photo carousel, apparently shot using Ray-Ban Meta glasses, included a pic of himself with Van Zandt, Armisen with Harry, the stage set up with Burke’s drumkit and a photo of him on a screen, Matlock, Harry at the podium wearing a Mod logo T-shirt favored by Burke, Marky Ramone and Stein, and more.
Matlock, who was drafted into the final Blondie lineup by Burke, also posted a photo of himself at the podium speaking with a slide of the two friends projected on the screen. “Honoured to have been invited to say a few words at my chum Clem Burke’s celebration of life in NYC yesterday and hoping I struck the right tone,” he wrote.
Valentine posted a photo of the assembled crowd surrounding Burke’s drumkit along with the caption, “A whole bunch of love for @clem.burke tonight, we miss him and celebrate him. pictured here with loads of his touring, crew, and mgmt faves and a few other pals. It was a very very special event, necessary and important for all of us. ♥️ Clem would be smiling from the other side of the dream.”
https://parade.com/news/late-drummer-remembered-with-tribute-attended-by-rock-royalty
