During a live show in Sydney, the Sex Pistols and Frank Carter delivered a heartfelt tribute to Clem Burke, the longtime Blondie drummer who passed away earlier this month. What began as a high-energy performance quickly shifted into a more reflective moment as the artists paused to acknowledge Burke’s legacy. The gesture wasn’t scripted, and it didn’t feel performative. Instead, it was a reminder of how deeply rooted Burke was in the DNA of punk and pop music, far beyond the records he played on.
Clem Burke was never the loudest personality in the room, but his drumming always made the right kind of noise. Across Blondie’s catalogue, his playing was fast, fluid, and precise. From the dance-punk of “Heart of Glass” to the grit of “Hanging on the Telephone,” Burke’s contributions helped the band bridge genres without ever sounding lost. His versatility meant he could adapt to anything Blondie’s evolving sound required, and still leave a signature on every track.
At the Sydney show, Sex Pistols guitarist Steve Jones paused mid-set to speak about Burke’s influence. He referred to him as “one of the good ones,” not only a great drummer, but a kind and constant figure in the music community. Carter followed that up with his own words, calling Burke a drummer who played “like the music meant something,” a sentiment that seemed to resonate across the crowd. What could have been a small moment of acknowledgment became a quiet centerpiece in the night’s performance.
Drumming often lives in the background, but Burke was a reminder of what happens when it doesn’t. His style wasn’t about dominance or flash. It was about supporting the music while elevating it. That subtle balance is what sets him apart from so many of his peers. It’s also why his passing, even decades after Blondie’s peak, has rippled outward across generations of musicians.
While the Sydney tribute was brief, it struck a nerve. In a genre that’s built on attitude and rebellion, there’s something meaningful in watching iconic acts take time to honor the rhythm behind the melody. It’s easy to forget just how many songs depend on that heartbeat until the one providing it is suddenly gone.
Burke’s drumming helped shape an era, and his absence is being felt more widely than expected. The live nod from artists who came up in the same volatile, creative landscape feels fitting. For a drummer who rarely chased the spotlight, the recognition now feels both overdue and entirely deserved.