21 Facts About Clem Burke

Clement Anthony Burke was an American musician best known as the drummer for the band Blondie.

Clem Burke joined the band shortly after its formation in 1975 and remained with Blondie throughout the band's entire career until his death in 2025.

Clem Burke appeared on all of the band's albums with two of the founding members, Debbie Harry and Chris Stein.

Clem Burke was drummer for the Ramones for a brief time in 1987 under the name Elvis Ramone, and played on albums by other artists, including Eurythmics, Bob Dylan and Iggy Pop.

Clem Burke was a member of the Romantics from 1990 until 2004.

Clem Burke was recruited by Debbie Harry and Chris Stein when Blondie was first forming in 1974 and joined the band in early 1975.

Clem Burke was a key figure in keeping the group together when Stein and Harry considered disbanding after their original bassist, Fred Smith, departed to Television.

In 1987, Clem Burke sat in as drummer for the Ramones for two gigs, under the name "Elvis Ramone", on August 28 in Providence, Rhode Island, and August 29 in Trenton, New Jersey at the punk club The City Gardens, after the sudden departure of Richie Ramone.

Clem Burke recorded and played live with Wanda Jackson and Nancy Sinatra.

Clem Burke recorded with Sonny Vincent, and Arthur Killer Kane, and played on the Go-Go's member Kathy Valentine's solo release Light Years in 2005.

Clem Burke recorded and toured with Dramarama from Wayne, New Jersey and Los Angeles on their 1993 album Hi-Fi Sci-Fi.

Clem Burke was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006 as a member of Blondie.

Clem Burke was a member of Magic Christian, along with Flamin' Groovies guitarist Cyril Jordan and Plimsouls lead guitarist Eddie Munoz, and toured several times as drummer with the Hugh Cornwell Band.

Clem Burke played 90-minute sets in 100 concerts in a year.

In July 2011, Clem Burke received an honorary doctorate from the University of Gloucestershire as a result of the drumming project.

In 2008, Burke founded the Clem Burke Drumming project to investigate the physical and mental-health benefits of drumming.

In 2014, Clem Burke was a founding member of the Empty Hearts.

In 2019, Clem Burke played with Blondie tribute act Bootleg Blondie.

In December 2021, Clem Burke filled in on drums for Gina Schock during the Go-Go's show at the Whisky a Go Go, to celebrate their recent induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Clem Burke died from cancer on April 6,2025, at the age of 70.

NOTE: This list includes albums in which Clem Burke was a band member or the featured drummer.