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 |
| Years active | 1960s–2025 |
Clement Anthony Burke (born November 24, 1954) was an American musician. He was most famous as the drummer for the band Blondie. He joined Blondie in 1975, soon after the band started. Clem Burke played on all of Blondie's albums. He was with the band for their whole career, alongside founding members Debbie Harry and Chris Stein. He also played drums for the band Ramones for a short time in 1987. For this, he used the name Elvis Ramone. From 1990 to 2004, he was also a member of the Romantics.
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Clem Burke's Early Life and Music Career
Clem Burke started playing drums in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He played in many different bands in New Jersey. He also learned a lot about drumming from being in the St Andrew's Bridgemen Drum and Bugle Corps. This was a drum and bugle corps in Bayonne, New Jersey.
In 1975, Debbie Harry and Chris Stein asked Burke to join their new band, Blondie. He was very important in keeping the band together. This happened when their first bass player, Fred Smith, left to join another band called Television. Burke then asked his friend Gary Valentine to join as the new bass player. Clem Burke's drumming style was inspired by famous drummers like Hal Blaine, Keith Moon, Ringo Starr, and Earl Palmer.
Clem Burke's Work with Other Bands
When Blondie took a break in the 1980s and 1990s, Burke played drums for many other artists. He was the regular drummer for the Romantics from 1990 to 2004. He also played with famous musicians like Pete Townshend, Bob Dylan, Eurythmics, Dramarama, the Fleshtones, Iggy Pop, and Joan Jett.
In 1983, he recorded with a band called Chequered Past. This band included Sex Pistols guitarist Steve Jones and former Blondie bandmate Nigel Harrison.
In 1987, Burke played drums for the Ramones for two concerts. He used the name "Elvis Ramone" for these shows. This happened after their drummer, Richie Ramone, suddenly left the band. In 2004, he played as "Elvis Ramone" again for a special concert called "Ramones Beat on Cancer."
He also recorded and performed live with singers Wanda Jackson and Nancy Sinatra. Burke played on the Go-Go's member Kathy Valentine's solo album in 2005. He also recorded and toured with Dramarama for their 1993 album Hi-Fi Sci-Fi.
Clem Burke's Hall of Fame and Projects
In 2006, Clem Burke was honored. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Blondie.
In 2007, Burke joined a band called Slinky Vagabond. This band included David Bowie's guitarist Earl Slick. He also played with Magic Christian and toured with the Hugh Cornwell Band.
Clem Burke was known for playing many concerts. He would often play 90-minute sets at 100 concerts in a single year. In 2008, he took part in a study that looked at how drumming affects the body and mind. This study was done by the University of Gloucestershire and the University of Chichester. In 2011, he received an honorary doctorate degree from the University of Gloucestershire because of this drumming project.
In 2008, Burke started the Clem Burke Drumming project. This project helps to study the health benefits of drumming.
In 2011, he started a band called the International Swingers. This band included Sex Pistols bass player Glen Matlock. Around the same time, he also became a founding member of the Split Squad. They toured and recorded an album called Now Hear This... in 2014.
In 2014, Burke helped start another band called the Empty Hearts. His bandmates included the Romantics guitarist Wally Palmar and the Cars guitarist Elliot Easton. Their first album was released in August 2014.
In 2015, the International Swingers raised money to record their first album. They recorded it at Studio 606, which is owned by the Foo Fighters.
In 2017, Burke played with L.A.M.F., a band that paid tribute to Johnny Thunders. These shows were recorded for an album released in December 2017.
In 2019, Burke played with Bootleg Blondie, a band that performs Blondie's songs. In December 2021, he filled in on drums for Gina Schock during the Go-Go's show. This was to celebrate their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Clem Burke passed away on April 6, 2025.
Clem Burke's Discography
This list includes albums where Clem Burke was a band member or the main drummer.
- 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)
- The Honey Tangle (1989)
- Still Legal (2013)
- Have Harmony, Will Travel (2013)
- Chequered Past (1984)
- The Delphines (1996)
- Hi-Fi Sci-Fi (1993)
- The Empty Hearts (2014)
- The Second Album (2020)
- In the Garden (1981)
- Revenge (1986)
- Zombie Birdhouse (1982)
- The International Swingers (2015)
- Heart on a Wall (1981)
- Light Years (2005)
- Evolver (2009)
- Green Man (1996)
- Lullabies (2006)
- White City: A Novel (1985)
- Kool Trash (1998)
- Made in Detroit (1993)
- 61/49 (2003)
- A Tribute To Mr. Rock' Chuck Berry Tribute- Carol (2004)
- Transylvanian Tapes (2014)
- Now Hear This... (2014)
- L.A.M.F. Live At The Bowery Electric (2017)
Images for kids
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Burke in 2008
See also
In Spanish: Clem Burke para niños
