Tidal<\/a><\/em> in 2022 that he never thought of his day job as work. \u201cEspecially when I do things with my friends and my little side projects that I have with various bands,\u201d he said. \u201cWith drumming, you kind of have to keep doing it. You don\u2019t really wanna lose your chops. You wanna be prepared to play when you have to play. So it works both ways. I help\u00a0people out by playing with them, and they help me to keep my abilities together.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\tHe also noted in that interview that the thing that initially attracted him to Stein and Harry was that he was on a quest to find his David Bowie, Jim Morrison or Mick Jagger. \u201cI was emphatic about that. I needed to work with people that I felt had that sort of charisma and creativity,\u201d he said. \u201cDebbie was amazing. You could sense that immediately. And I\u2019m not talking about just her beauty. I\u2019m just talking about her whole essence as a human being, as a person. I would put her on the same level as Bowie, as far as the things that she comes up with creatively.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\tAfter Blondie\u2019s split in 1982, Burke stayed very busy performing and recording with a wide variety of bands, including the Romantics, Pete Townshend, Iggy Pop, Plimsouls, Bob Dylan, the Eurythmics, Joan Jett, Wanda Jackson, Dramarama, Nancy Sinatra and Johnny Thunders. He even briefly filled in for a couple of gigs in 1987 for his pals in the Ramones under the stage name Elvis Ramone. During his eight-year (1980-1988) run with the Eurythmics, Burke performed on three albums with the group, including on their 1986 Grammy winning single \u201cMissionary Man.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\tHe also teamed up in 1983 with another \u201980s punk icon, former (and again) Sex Pistols guitarist Steve Jones, to form the group Chequered Past with vocalist Michael Des Barres and bassist Tony Sales and former Blondie bassist Nigel Harrison. In keeping with his indefatigable work ethic and affection for fellow punk-era players, Burke formed another all-star group in 2011, the International Swingers, which featured another Sex Pistols refugee, bassist Glen Matlock, as well as Generation X guitarist James Stevenson and Supernaut singer Gary Twinn.<\/p>\n
\n\tBurke is featured on all of the Blondie\u2019s No. 1 hits, which also included \u201cCall Me,\u201d \u201cThe Tide Is High\u201d and \u201cRapture,\u201d providing whatever the songs needed, from funky disco-leaning rhythms to reggae, funk and pop beats. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006 alongside bandmates Harry, Stein, founding keyboardist Jimmy Destri and bassist Gary Valentine and guitarist Frank Infante. <\/p>\n
\n\tIn their tribute to their lost friend, Blondie honored Burke\u2019s many side gigs, writing, \u201cClem\u2019s influence extended far beyond Blondie. A self proclaimed \u2018Rock & Roll survivalist,\u2019 he played and collaborated with numerous iconic artists, including Eurythmics, Ramones, Bob Dylan, Bob Geldof, Iggy Pop, Joan Jett,\u00a0Chequered Past,\u00a0The Fleshtones, The Romantics, Dramarama, The Adult Net, The Split Squad, The International Swingers, L.A.M.F., Empty Hearts, Slinky Vagabond, and even the Go-Go\u2019s. His influence and contributions have spanned decades and genres, leaving an indelible mark on every project he was a part of.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\tThe message ended with condolences for Burke\u2019s family, friends and fans across the world. \u201cHis legacy will live on through the tremendous amount of music he created and the countless lives he touched,\u201d Blondie said. <\/p>\n
\n\tSee Blondie\u2019s post here<\/a> and check out some of the classic tunes Burke played on below.<\/p>\n\n
![\"Blondie\"](\"https:\/\/www.billboard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/1981-Blondie-Greatest-Pop-Stars-by-Year-billboard-1240.jpg?w=237&h=147&crop=1\")
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