HEARTBEAT OF BLONDIE

CLEM Burke helped define American new wave drumming of the 70s and 80s.

- BY MARK JEFFERIES and SAM ELLIOTT-GIBBS

He could switch effortlessly between punk, reggae, disco and hip-hop grooves.

And his rhythms to Debbie Harry's vocals and Chris Stein's lead guitar helped them to global success, scoring six No1 hits in the UK and four in the US.

Burke, who died yesterday from cancer aged 70, joined the band in 1975, the year after their formation in New York.

Announcing his death, Harry, 79, and Stein, 75, said of their "beloved friend" in a statement: "Clem was not just a drummer, he was the heartbeat of Blondie.