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.
Burke was born and raised in New Jersey, and said his earliest memory was "playing my father's kit along to the Four Seasons". He gained experience in marching bands and cover groups, before being recruited for Blondie in 1974. From the start, he envisioned his role as something more than a mere time-keeper.
"I always appreciated drummers like Hal Blaine (Phil Spector's go-to session drummer) and Earl Palmer (Little Richard, Fats Domino) who were consummate studio musicians, and had the kind of musicality and versatility that I aspired to. "I wanted to be able to contribute to the song rather than detract."
The band made their name in New York punk clubs such as CBGB, alongside contemporaries such as Talking Heads, Television, and Patti Smith and released their self-titled debut album in 1976. However, it was 1978's Parallel Lines that made them household names, powered by new wave hits like One Way Or Another and the disco grooves of Heart of Glass.
Althought, recording the drum track for Heart Of Glass was a torturous experience, however, the producer Mike Chapman wanted to synchronise Burke's playing to a Roland drum machine - an experimental procedure that led to the drummer playing each of his drums individually, then piecing together the rhythm track over the period of a week.
When Stein became critically ill in 1982, Blondie disbanded. So Burke spent the intervening years playing with US rock band The Romantics, and worked with everyone from Pete Townshend and Joan Jett, to Sex Pistol Steve Jones and The Ramones - for whom he adopted the stage name Elvis Ramone.
However, he returned to Blondie when they reformed in 1999, and scored his sixth UK number one single with the anthemic Maria. The band have continued to perform and record ever since, and played Glastonbury's Pyramid Stage in 2023.
Burke also became involved with a years-long study of the physical and psychological effects of drumming. This led to the establishment of the Clem Burke Drumming Project in 2008, whose detailed studies showed that drummers can reach the same physical exertion as professional athletes. As a result, he was given an honorary doctorate by the University of Gloucestershire in 2011.
Burke made his last appearance with Blondie at Northern Ireland's Belsonic festival last summer, still wearing his CBGB t-shirt."His influence and contributions have spanned decades and genres, leaving an indelible mark on every project he was a part of," wrote Harry and Stein on Facebook.
"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.
"Rest In Power, Dr Burke."
