East Village Pays Tribute to the Late Clem Burke

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.”

Late Blondie Drummer Clem Burke Remembered in NYC Photo Exhibition

This is nice: Chris Stein is paying tribute to his fallen bandmate with a photo exhibit downtown: 

The Roxy Hotel is honored to present "Clem Burke Photographed by Chris Stein," a special pop-up exhibition celebrating Blondie’s legendary drummer. 

On view now through January 6, 2026, the portraits offer an intimate glimpse of the little drummer boy from Bayonne through the lens of longtime friend, bandmate and Blondie co-founder Chris Stein.

More information HERE.

Song of the Day: 'Well, Look at You' by the Empty Hearts

The Empty Hearts -- Elliot Easton (the Cars), Clem Burke (Blondie), Wally Palmar (the Romantics) and Andy Babiuk (the Chesterfield Kings) -- are back with a their sophomore LP, fittingly titled "The Second Album," out today. (It’s the follow-up to their 2014 eponymous debut.) I totally missed the last time a Blondie member was in a supergroup -- is Chequered Past on Spotify? -- so here goes nothing! Interview HERE.

Listening options HERE.

Snare Warning

I so appreciate that the Blondie drummer is as revered as he should be. 

Clem Burke plays a round of "If You Only Knew" with guest host Tom Green.  The drummer recalls crazy fan encounters, shares his best piece of advice, and reveals his secret talents.

Clem answers questions from social media, including his favorite person to record with, how NYC influenced Blondie’s music, his memories of performing at CBGB, his favorite Blondie album, and more!

"My View: Clem Burke" (documentary trailer)

Song of the Day: 'Big Man in Town' by the Four Seasons

Clem hasn't had access to a barber, but I got my first haircut in four months yesterday!

Fun to see Blondie drummer Clem Burke's 10 favorite albums. While David Bowie's "The Rise And Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars," "The Velvet Underground & Nico," and the usual classics by the Beatles, Rolling Stones and the Stooges were to be expected, it was "Golden Hits" by the Four Seasons atop the list that tickled me most.

He writes:

Before and after The Beatles, you had New Jersey’s own Four Seasons. This may be the first album I ever owned. The production, vocals and musicianship were all fantastic, and what great songs! Once The Beatles showed up, I remember there being endless arguments at school over who were the superior group! I’ve been trying to Google the drummer on all those early hits to no avail. Who is that amazing mystery man? With Blondie, we would sometimes cover their song “Big Man In Town.” That was always fun, with Debbie boasting about one day being the big “man” in town!

I couldn't find Blondie's version, so enjoy the original!

P.S.



Blondie's cover of "Seven Rooms of Gloom" is on the remastered version of "Eat to the Beat."