A Rock N Roll Life Celebration of Clem Burke of Blondie, Night One

Clem Burke played drums in Blondie for 50 years. Born in Bayonne, New Jersey, he joined the New York City-based band shortly after its formation in 1975, during the first wave of punk rock, He remained in the band until his death from cancer on April 6, 2025. He was 70 years old.

During those 50 years, Burke also played in many side bands. He was briefly the drummer in the Ramones in 1987 under the name Elvis Ramone. He was a member of the Romantics from 1990 until 2004. He also was a member of the Split Squad, the Chequered Past and the Empty Hearts, among other bands. Intermittently, Burke also played drums for Pete Townshend, Bob Dylan, Eurythmics, Iggy Pop, Joan Jett, Nancy Sinatra, Wanda Jackson and numerous other artists.

Since Burke’s passing almost a year ago, Kathy Valentine of the Go-Go’s has led several events in his memory. Burke and Valentine were romantic partners in the 1980s and maintained a lifelong friendship. They often described each other as soulmates or family. Following Burke’s passing, Valentine frequently has championed Burke in personal appearances and in the press. Among other efforts, Valentine has become a key advocate for the Clem Burke Drumming Project (CBDP), which researches the therapeutic, physical, and mental health benefits of drumming on trauma, autism, and overall well being.

Valentine organized a two-night “Rock N Roll Life Celebration of Clem Burke” at the Bowery Palace on March 25 and 26. The Blondie touring band (Glen Matlock, Tommy Kessler, Matt Katz-Bowen, Andee Blacksugar) backed many of the featured performers. On the first night, Mike Skill and Brad Elvis of the Romantics performed a surprise set. Jesse Malin, Danny Sage of D Generation, Tommy Stinson of the Replacements, Frank Ferrer of Guns N’ Roses, Steve Wynn of the Dream Syndicate, Frankie Clarke of Frankie and the Studs, Miss Guy of the Toilet Boys, Belle Blue, Diane Gentile of Diane and the Gentle Men, and the Split Squad also performed on the first night.

Makeshift collaborations were given tongue-in-cheek names. Clembake consisted of Kathy Valentine, guitarist Gina Volpe of Lunachicks, bassist Gail Greenwood of Belly and Gang of Four, and drummer Linda Pitmon of the Baseball Project. Manhattan Clem Chowder was comprised of Steve Wynn of the Dream Syndicate, with Kathy Valentine, Linda Pitman, and guitarist Jason Victor of the Dream Syndicate. Glen Matlock’s Ramshackle All-Stars featured Glen Matlock of the Sex Pistols with Kathy Valentine and Jason Victor.

All photographs are from the March 25 performance and taken by Jini Sachse.

March 25 Setlist

Jesse Malin

1. You Can’t Put Your Arms Round a Memory (Johnny Thunders cover, with Kathy Valentine and members of Malin’s band)
2. Do You Remember Rock ‘n’ Roll Radio? (Ramones cover, with Kathy Valentine and members of Malin’s band)

Danny Sage

1. Poets Problem (Blondie cover)

Tommy Stinson

1. The Kids Are Alright (The Who cover, featuring Frank Ferrer on drums)

Frankie Clark

1. Rockaway Beach (Ramones cover, featuring Frank Ferrer on drums)
2. Born to Lose (The Heartbreakers cover, featuring Frank Ferrer on drums)

Clembake (Kathy Valentine, Gina Volpe, Gail Greenwood, Linda Pitman)

1. Looking for a Kiss (New York Dolls cover)
2. Make Me Shake (The Blue Bonnets cover)

Miss Guy

1. Star (David Bowie cover, with Blondie band members)

Belle Blue

1. One Way or Another (Blondie cover, with Blondie band members)

Kathy Valentine

1. Hanging on the Telephone (The Nerves cover, with Blondie band members)

Diane Gentile

1. Bang a Gong (Get It On) (T. Rex cover, with Blondie band members)

Frankie Clark

1. Rip Her to Shreds (Blondie cover, with Blondie band members)

Danny Sage

1. Union City Blue (Blondie cover, with Blondie band members)

Manhattan Clem Chowder

1. Lust for Life (Iggy Pop cover)
2. Rock & Roll (The Velvet Underground cover)

The Split Squad

1. Clem Burke
2. One Track Mind (Johnny Thunders & the Heartbreakers cover)

Mike Skill & Brad Elvis (The Romantics)

1. Talking in Your Sleep (The Romantics song)
2. What I Like About You (The Romantics song)

Glen Matlock’s Ramshackle All-Stars

1. Blank Generation (Richard Hell & the Voidoids cover)
2. Rainy Day Women #12 & 35 (Bob Dylan cover)
3. All or Nothing (Small Faces cover)

→ Continue reading at NYS Music