Clem Burke, Blondie’s drummer since their first album in 1976, has died. He was 70.

In accordance with an announcement launched by the band, Burke died “following a non-public battle with most cancers.” “Clem was not only a drummer; he was the heartbeat of Blondie,” they wrote. “His expertise, vitality and keenness for music had been unmatched, and his contributions to our sound and success are immeasurable.

“Past his musicianship, Clem was a supply of inspiration each on and off the stage. His vibrant spirit, infectious enthusiasm and rock strong work ethic touched everybody who had the privilege of realizing him.”

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Burke was born on Nov. 24, 1954, in Bayonne, New Jersey. He performed in native bands throughout the late ’60 and early ’70s.

He then joined Blondie in 1975, shortly after Deborah Harry and Chris Stein fashioned the band in New York Metropolis. He performed drums on all their albums, beginning with 1976’s self-titled launch, their 1978 breakthrough Parallel Traces, 1999’s reunion file No Exit and 2017’s Pollinator, their most up-to-date LP.

You may see Blondie’s assertion about Burke beneath.

Blondie broke up after the discharge of their fifth album, Autoamerican (which included the No. 1 hits “The Tide Is Excessive” and “Rapture”), in 1980.

Who Has Clem Burke Performed With?

Bruke spent the ’80s and ’90s taking part in drums with different bands, together with an everyday gig with the Romantics. In 1987, he carried out with the Ramones as Elvis Ramone.

As a session drummer, he performed with Bob Dylan, Eurythmics, Joan Jett, Iggy Pop and Pete Townshend. He additionally performed drums for artists as numerous as Wanda Jackson, Nancy Sinatra and members of the Go-Go’s and Intercourse Pistols all through his lengthy profession.

He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame in 2006 with the opposite authentic members of Blondie.

“His legacy will dwell on by means of the large quantity of music he created and the numerous lives he touched,” the band concluded in its assertion.