Clem Burke was a crucial part of Blondie's sound—more than just a drummer, he set the band's distinctive tone during their iconic string of singles, fusing classic rock and pop elements into something exciting and fresh. Guiding them through various genres such as reggae, rap, and disco, he maintained his status as a powerful rock drummer—arguably one of the greatest ever.
Upon Blondie's thrilling comeback, he contributed to the worldwide hit 'Maria' along with all their subsequent albums. Unfortunately, Blondie recently announced that Clem Burke has passed away.
While browsing through the digital archives, we decided to highlight something special. In a comprehensive interview from 2003, Clem Burke shared his favorite Blondie single—one that resonates deeply with the CBGBs scene.
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“I really love ‘X Offender’. It holds significant meaning for me because it was the song that opened the door for the band and showcased the community we were part of at the time, which was the entire CBGB New York underground. It demonstrated that we could produce a record; when we recorded ‘X Offender’, it wasn’t just a replication of our live performance—it was designed as a production, a tribute similar to what Phil Spector did, and I truly believe we accomplished something with that track.”
“The first time I heard it on the jukebox at CBGBs was an incredibly uplifting experience for me, even more so than hearing it on the radio. Knowing someone had played the song on the jukebox and then hearing it in the background—I really appreciate hearing songs in the background while other activities are happening and observing what it creates. I also really enjoy ‘Rapture’.”
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Tributes for Clem Burke are flooding in from various musicians. British icon Johnny Marr referred to him as “a true great and one of the good guys,” while Dave Davies of The Kinks remarked: “Spectacular drumming. We were friends.”
In one of his last interviews, Clem Burke mentioned that he had played on a new Blondie album set to be released this year and was close to finishing his memoir. “With regard to my upbringing and other aspects of Blondie, I’m pleased to say I’ve nearly completed my memoir, which will soon be published by Hachette in the States and HarperCollins in the UK. Additionally, we’ve recorded a new Blondie album scheduled for early 2025.”
Related: Clem Burke Discusses Blondie, Cuba, And Lockdown
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Clem Burke was essential to Blondie's sound - far beyond just a timekeeper, he established the vibe for the band's iconic series of singles, merging classic