In Memory Of My Pal Clem Burke, Blondie Drummer + more…
I can’t believe I have to say RIP Clem Burke. Clem was a friend, a colleague and as you may know, one of the greatest drummers of our time! (He was certainly one of the best I ever worked with). Most know him as the heartbeat of Blondie, but he’s played with so many other cool bands – including the Ramones.
I met Clem in 2004 when he saw me playing with New York Dolls. He came up and said that he thought I was playing “the way that Johnny (Thunders) always wanted to play”. We became instant friends.
In 2017 Clem joined me as the drummer on my debut Wicked Cool Records single, “Gimme Gimme Rockaway” (along with The Smiths bassist, Andy Rourke – RIP). We played together on many live shows through the years and he always rocked it so hard. An incredible, musical force. In 2019, Clem asked me to be interviewed for his SkyArts documentary – a career retrospective which I still haven’t seen yet.
I will miss his groove, his attitude, his humor and generosity. Godspeed Clem. Rest in Peace my friend.
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