Clem Burke facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Clem Burke
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Burke in 2008
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Clement Anthony Bozewski |
| Also known as | Clement Burke Elvis Ramone |
| Born | November 24, 1954 Bayonne, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Died | April 6, 2025 (aged 70) |
| Genres |
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| Occupation(s) | Drummer |
| Instruments | Drums |
| Years active | 1960s–2025 |
Clement Anthony Burke (born Bozewski; November 24, 1954 – April 6, 2025) was an American musician. He was most famous as the drummer for the band Blondie. He joined Blondie soon after it started in 1975. Clem Burke stayed with the band for its whole career until he passed away in 2025.
He played on all of Blondie's albums with founding members Debbie Harry and Chris Stein. For a short time in 1987, he was the drummer for the Ramones. He used the stage name Elvis Ramone then. Burke also played drums on albums for other famous artists. These included Eurythmics, Bob Dylan, and Iggy Pop. He was also a member of the Romantics from 1990 to 2004.
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Clem Burke's Life and Music Career
Clement Anthony Bozewski was born on November 24, 1954. His hometown was Bayonne, New Jersey. His father, Clement J. Bozewski, was also a drummer. He played in local clubs and taught Clem to play drums when he was very young. Clem also played in his school's marching band.
Early Drumming and Joining Blondie
Burke started playing drums in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He played in different jam bands in New Jersey. He also learned a lot about drumming from being in the St Andrew's Bridgemen Drum and Bugle Corps.
In 1974, Debbie Harry and Chris Stein were forming Blondie. They asked Burke to join, and he became a member in early 1975. Clem Burke was very important in keeping the band together. This happened when Stein and Harry thought about breaking up. Their first bass player, Fred Smith, left to join another band. Burke then asked his friend Gary Valentine to play bass. Burke's drumming style was inspired by drummers like Hal Blaine, Keith Moon, Ringo Starr, and Earl Palmer.
Playing with Other Bands and Artists
During the 1980s and 1990s, Blondie took a break. During this time, Burke played drums for many other groups and musicians. He was the regular drummer for the Romantics from 1990 to 2004. He also played with Pete Townshend, Bob Dylan, and Eurythmics. Other artists he worked with included Dramarama, the Fleshtones, Iggy Pop, and Joan Jett.
In 1983, he recorded with a band called Chequered Past. This group included Sex Pistols guitarist Steve Jones. It also had former Blondie bandmate Nigel Harrison.
Clem Burke as Elvis Ramone
In 1987, Burke played drums for the Ramones for two concerts. He used the name "Elvis Ramone." These shows were on August 28 in Providence, Rhode Island, and August 29 in Trenton, New Jersey. He filled in after their drummer, Richie Ramone, suddenly left. On October 8, 2004, he played as "Elvis Ramone" again. He joined Tommy Ramone, C. J. Ramone, and Daniel Rey for a special concert.
He also recorded and played live with Wanda Jackson and Nancy Sinatra. Burke recorded with Sonny Vincent and Arthur Killer Kane. He played on the Go-Go's member Kathy Valentine's solo album, Light Years, in 2005. He recorded and toured with Dramarama for their 1993 album Hi-Fi Sci-Fi.
Awards and Special Projects
In 2006, Clem Burke was added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He was honored as a member of Blondie. In 2007, he joined a band called Slinky Vagabond. This band included David Bowie guitarist Earl Slick and Glen Matlock. He was also a member of Magic Christian and toured with the Hugh Cornwell Band.
Burke was known for playing many concerts. He often played 90-minute sets for 100 shows in a year. In 2008, he took part in an eight-year study. This study looked at how drumming affects the body and mind. It also studied how much energy professional drummers need. The University of Gloucestershire and the University of Chichester worked together on this study. In July 2011, Burke received an honorary doctorate from the University of Gloucestershire. This was because of his involvement in the drumming project. In 2008, Burke started the Clem Burke Drumming project. Its goal was to study the health benefits of drumming.
Later Bands and Collaborations
In December 2011, Burke formed a band called the International Swingers. This band included Sex Pistols bass player Glen Matlock. It also had guitarist James Stevenson and singer Gary Twinn. Around the same time, he helped start the Split Squad. He toured with them and played at SXSW festivals. He also recorded their album, Now Hear This..., which came out in January 2014.
In April 2013, Burke played on a song called "All I Needed Was You." This song was on the Carla Olson album Have Harmony, Will Travel. In 2014, Burke was a founding member of the Empty Hearts. This group recorded on 429 Records. His bandmates included the Romantics guitarist Wally Palmar and the Cars guitarist Elliot Easton. The band's first album came out on August 5, 2014.
In 2015, the International Swingers raised money to record their first full album. It was called The International Swingers. The album was recorded at Studio 606 in Los Angeles. This studio is owned by the Foo Fighters.
In 2017, Burke played shows with L.A.M.F. This was a tribute band for Johnny Thunders. The shows were recorded for an album. In 2019, Burke played with a Blondie tribute band called Bootleg Blondie. In December 2021, Burke filled in on drums for Gina Schock. This was during the Go-Go's show at the Whisky a Go Go. It celebrated their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
In 2022, the University of Chichester gave Burke an Honorary Doctorate of Music.
Clem Burke passed away from cancer on April 6, 2025. He was 70 years old.
Discography
This list includes albums where Clem Burke was a band member or the main drummer.
- With Blondie
- Blondie (1976)
- Plastic Letters (1977)
- Parallel Lines (1978)
- Eat to the Beat (1979)
- Autoamerican (1980)
- The Hunter (1982)
- No Exit (1999)
- The Curse of Blondie (2003)
- Panic of Girls (2011)
- Ghosts of Download (2014)
- Pollinator (2017)
- With Chequered Past
- Chequered Past (1984)
- With Dramarama
- Hi-Fi Sci-Fi (1993)
- With The Empty Hearts
- The Empty Hearts (2014)
- The Second Album (2020)
- With Eurythmics
- In the Garden (1981)
- Revenge (1986)
- With Iggy Pop
- Zombie Birdhouse (1982)
- With The International Swingers
- The International Swingers (2015)
- With The Romantics
- Made in Detroit (1993)
- 61/49 (2003)
- With The Split Squad
- Now Hear This... (2014)
See also
In Spanish: Clem Burke para niños
