The legendary drummer of Blondie, Clem Burke has not been only an era-defining player in one of the most renowned bands of the past half-century but has also played alongside various iconic artists like Bob Dylan, Pete Townshend of The Who, and Iggy Pop. Clem Burke Blondie Drummer is an illustrious musician who will forever remain in the annals of history. In an interview with Louder, Burke opened up about his illustrious journey through rock history, sharing memories from his extensive career.
Reflecting on Blondie’s early days, Burke recounts their first national tour in the United States with none other than Iggy Pop, who was joined by David Bowie on keyboards. “The night before the tour started, we played a show at Max’s Kansas City,” Burke happily reminisces. “After the show, we got into a camper, drove all night to Montreal, and collapsed in a stinky dressing room. The door opened, and in walked Bowie and Iggy. They couldn’t have been kinder.” Clem Burke Blondie Drummer had a lot of revelations that he shared during the course of the interview.
Burke then continues by saying that he later became a part of Iggy Pop’s band during a six-week tour to promote the 1981 album Party. He shares colorful memories of that time, including the strict backstage rule: “No food allowed, only drugs and alcohol. The rule was ‘No coke, no show.’ Iggy’s only directive was ‘Play as loud and fast as you can.’”
Beyond playing with Blondie and Iggy Pop, Burke also joined the Lust for Life tribute band, a supergroup dedicated to Iggy Pop’s 1977 album Lust for Life. The band features members like Katie Puckrik, Glen Matlock, Kevin Armstrong, Luis Correia, and Florence Sabeva. Burke also speaks fondly of Debbie Harry, whom he describes as “practically my older sister, with the same talent as Bowie and Lou Reed,” and he also talks about his time with other music icons like Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols and Pete Townshend, whom he calls “a true gentleman.”
However, not all of Burke’s memories are fond. He recalls his brief time with the Ramones under the moniker “Elvis Ramone” with a sense of frustration, particularly due to his clashes with Johnny Ramone. Burke talks plainly stating, “I was asked to join the Ramones four times, and when I finally said yes, I made it clear it wouldn’t be forever. Johnny’s guitar was just a means to an end for him, and I don’t think he cared much about it. He refused to rehearse, so I had to figure things out on my own. Now they’re all gone, and it’s a great sadness, but the Ramones were not a happy place to be.”
Clem Burke’s journey through the various tides of rock ‘n’ roll offers a rare glimpse into the life of one of music’s most resilient drummers. From his time with Blondie to the memorable moments with Bowie, Iggy, and beyond, Burke’s stories are evidence of his place in rock history.