Sticks star added heat to the beat

DESCRIBED as “the heartbeat of Blondie”, Clem Burke was one of only three band members, alongside Debbie Harry and Chris Stein, to play on every one of the band’s 11 studio albums.

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From Parallel Lines in 1978 to Pollinator in 2017, he was there helping to define the American new-wave sound, scoring six UK No.1 hits and four in the US, including Heart of Glass, Atomic and The Tide Is High.

Paying tribute to their bandmate, Harry and Stein said in a statement: “Clem was not just a drummer — he was the heartbeat of Blondie. His talent, energy and passion for music were unmatched, his contributions to our sound and success are immeasurable.”