It's always sobering when a childhood hero dies. But what a joy it was last night to be in a room surrounded by people who were feeling the exact same way about Blondie drummer Clem Burke, who
exited the stage last April at 70 after a battle with cancer. In addition to a large group of musicians on hand to perform songs that Clem either played on or adored -- check out the list on the Bowery Palace advert, above -- people shared stories and short films were projected on the wall, most notably a montage of notable drummers attempting to keep up with Clem's legendary performance on the Blondie hit "Dreaming." (Has there ever been a
better drum part?!!!)
Danny Sage stunned (me!) by opening with "Poet's Problem" -- beyond a deep cut -- then later did "Union City Blue," saying it was Clem's favorite Blondie song to perform.
Kathy Valentine, a Clem ex and longtime friend of the drummer, co-organized the event with Jesse Malin, who is recovering from a spinal stroke.*
Each of them performed, with Jesse singing "Do You Remember Rock 'n' Roll Radio?" -- in honor of Clem's short time in the Ramones (he was dubbed Elvis Ramone!) -- and Kathy, who I've always thought sounded a bit like Debbie Harry, taking the lead on "Hanging on the Telephone," as well as "Looking for a Kiss" (New York Dolls) and "Make Me Shake," a song she says Clem helped her write for her Bluebonnets.
Frankie Clarke did a rousing cover of "Rip Her to Shreds" as well as "Rockaway Beach" by the Ramones.
There were many more -- including Tommy Stinson performing "The Kids Are Alright [sic]" in honor of Clem's obsession with the Who, Wally Palmar doing "Talking in Your Sleep" and "What I Like About You" a nod to Clem's time in the Romantics (even though he didn't play on either), and someone called Belle Blue brought the house down with her take on
"One Way or Another" -- but I was too busy taking it all in to jot down the complete setlist, even getting choked up at one point, realizing I'll never see the Blondie I've known and loved all these years perform live again.
I'm so grateful I made a last-second decision to attend the band's Pier 17 gig in 2022, which almost felt gratuitous at the time as they had been touring a lot. As it would happen, Olivia Newton-John, my first blond obsession, had just died and it got me thinking about Debbie's mortality. Little did we know then.
Note to Clem, wherever you are: We adore you and miss you. But your beat lives on forever.
Clem cocktails: Honey, here's looking at you!
Almost Blue (Belle)
After the show, ready to fade away and radiate ...
*Malin's on the mend, back performing his “Silver Manhattan” show, which Variety calls a success on virtually every level: It’s not a conventional musical, but more of a live memoir punctuated with songs from all across his career -- a kind of East Village, punk rock version of “Springsteen on Broadway.”
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Growing up in Madison Heights, Mich.
The Web leads to an unexpected return to a house I grew up in.
Carlsbad, Calif. (2008)
Go Behind the Music of my high-school band, A La Plage
Little Larry left us too soon.
With Debbie Harry
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