Clem Burke | |
|---|---|
 Burke in 2008 | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Clement Burke Elvis Ramone |
| Born | Clement Anthony Bozewski (1954-11-24)November 24, 1954 Bayonne, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Died | April 6, 2025(2025-04-06) (aged 70) |
| Genres | |
| Occupation | Drummer |
| Instruments | Drums |
| Years active | 1960s–2025 |
| Formerly of | |
Clement Anthony Burke (néBozewski; November 24, 1954 – April 6, 2025) was an American musician best known as the drummer for the bandBlondie. He joined the band shortly after its formation in 1975 and remained with Blondie throughout the band's entire career until his death in 2025. He appeared on all of the band's albums with two of the founding members,Debbie Harry andChris Stein. He was drummer for theRamones for a brief time in 1987 under the nameElvis Ramone, and played on albums by other artists, includingEurythmics,Bob Dylan andIggy Pop. He was a member ofthe Romantics from 1990 until 2004.
Clement Anthony Bozewski was born on 24 November 1954 inBayonne, New Jersey,[1][2] the son of Clement J. Bozewski and Antoinette (nee Terraciano). His father, a drummer who played in local clubs, taught him to drum from an early age and he played in a school marching band.[3]
His early experiences on the drum kit began in the late 1960s and early 1970s, playing in various New Jersey jam bands. Burke also gained percussion knowledge from his stint as a drummer in theSt Andrew's Bridgemen Drum and Bugle Corps in Bayonne.[4] He was recruited byDebbie Harry andChris Stein whenBlondie was first forming in 1974 and joined the band in early 1975.[5] He was a key figure in keeping the group together when Stein and Harry considered disbanding after their original bassist,Fred Smith, departed toTelevision. Burke recruited his friendGary Valentine to play bass. Burke's style of drumming was influenced byHal Blaine,Keith Moon,Ringo Starr andEarl Palmer.[6]
During the 1980s and 1990s when Blondie was on hiatus, Burke played drums forthe Romantics (for whom he was the regular drummer between 1990 and 2004),[7][8]Pete Townshend,[9]Bob Dylan,[9]Eurythmics,[10]Dramarama,[11]the Fleshtones,Iggy Pop,[9]Joan Jett[9] and The Stranglers amongst others.
He recorded with the line-up ofChequered Past in 1983 withSex Pistols guitaristSteve Jones, former Blondie bandmateNigel Harrison, bass guitarist and vocalistTony Sales, and singer/actorMichael Des Barres.[12][13]
In 1987, Burke sat in as drummer for the Ramones for two gigs, under the name "Elvis Ramone", on August 28 inProvidence, Rhode Island, and August 29 inTrenton, New Jersey at the punk club The City Gardens, after the sudden departure ofRichie Ramone.[14] On October 8, 2004, he again played under the name "Elvis Ramone" when he joinedTommy Ramone,C. J. Ramone, andDaniel Rey in the "Ramones Beat on Cancer" concert.[15]
He recorded and played live withWanda Jackson andNancy Sinatra.[16] Burke recorded withSonny Vincent, andArthur Killer Kane, and played onthe Go-Go's memberKathy Valentine's solo releaseLight Years in 2005. He recorded and toured withDramarama from Wayne, New Jersey and Los Angeles on their 1993 albumHi-Fi Sci-Fi.[17]
Burke was inducted into theRock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006as a member of Blondie.[18] In 2007 he joined Slinky Vagabond withDavid Bowie guitaristEarl Slick,Glen Matlock andKeanan Duffty, who were playing their debut concert at theJoey Ramone Birthday Bash in May 2007.[19] He was also a member of Magic Christian (Dirty Water Records), along withFlamin' Groovies guitarist Cyril Jordan (on guitar) andPlimsouls lead guitarist Eddie Munoz (on bass), and toured several times as drummer with theHugh Cornwell Band.[20]
Burke played 90-minute sets in 100 concerts in a year. In 2008, it was reported that he had taken part in an eight-year study that analysed the physical and psychological effects of drumming and the stamina required by professional drummers, conducted jointly by theUniversity of Gloucestershire and theUniversity of Chichester.[21][22] In July 2011, Burke received an honorary doctorate from the University of Gloucestershire as a result of the drumming project.[23] In 2008, Burke founded the Clem Burke Drumming project to investigate the physical and mental-health benefits of drumming.[24]
In December 2011, Burke formed the bandthe International Swingers withSex Pistols bass playerGlen Matlock, guitaristJames Stevenson ofGeneration X and singerGary Twinn ofSupernaut.[25][26] About the same time he became a founding member ofthe Split Squad, participating in tours,[27] appearances atSXSW festivals, and in the recording of the album,Now Hear This..., released in January 2014.
In April 2013, Burke appeared on theLittle Steven song "All I Needed Was You" along with Scott Kempner, Barry Goldberg, Gregg Sutton and Tom Jr Morgan on the Carla Olson albumHave Harmony, Will Travel.[citation needed] In 2014, Burke was a founding member ofthe Empty Hearts. The group recorded on429 Records and his bandmates includedthe Romantics guitarist and vocalistWally Palmar,the Chesterfield Kings bassist Andy Babiuk,the Cars guitaristElliot Easton andSmall Faces andFaces pianistIan McLagan.[28] The band's self-titled first album was released August 5, 2014, and produced byEd Stasium.[29]
In 2015, viaPledgeMusic, the band the International Swingers raised the money to record their first full-length self-titled album,The International Swingers (originally under the working titleWhatever Works Now). The album was recorded at Studio 606 in Los Angeles which is owned by theFoo Fighters. It was mixed byPeter Walsh, who had worked withSimple Minds,Pulp andScott Walker.[30]
In 2017, Burke played dates as a member of L.A.M.F., aJohnny Thunders tribute also featuringWalter Lure,Mike Ness andGlen Matlock.[31] The reunion shows in New York took place at the Bowery Electric in Manhattan on November 15 and 16, 2016, (without Glen Matlock) and were recorded for an album, released on Jungle Records in December 2017.[citation needed] In 2019, Burke played with Blondie tribute act Bootleg Blondie.[32] In December 2021, Burke filled in on drums forGina Schock duringthe Go-Go's show at theWhisky a Go Go, to celebrate their recent induction into theRock and Roll Hall of Fame.[33]
In 2022, Burke was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Music by theUniversity of Chichester.[34]
Burke died from cancer on April 6, 2025, at age 70.[2]
NOTE: This list includes albums in which Clem Burke was a band member or the featured drummer.
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