Watch Blondie drummer Clem Burke drum with tribute band Bootleg Blondie
He's recorded an album with the London based act
Blondie drummer Clem Burke has celebrated being awarded a PHD by performing with UK tribute band Bootleg Blondie.
New Jersey-born Clem Burke attended a ceremony at the University of Chichester yesterday (18th October) where he was an Honorary Doctorate of Music recognising him as ‘a world class drummer, entertainer and figure head of the distinguished Clem Burke Drumming Project.’
Following the ceremony, Clem Burke performed drums with Bootleg Blondie at a free celebratory concert at the University of Chichester student’s union.
Bootleg Blondie – aka London based Debbie and Andy Harris – have since shared footage of Burke performing a cover of Blondie’s timeless anthem ‘Dreaming.’
Clem Burke tweeted: 'Last night at my PHD celebration. Thanks to Debbie & Andy & Bootleg Blondie for being there!'
Sharing the clip of the performance, Charlatans frontman Tim Burgess wrote: 'I love it that @clem_burke is the drummer in a Blondie tribute band. Might form The Charlatan Charlatans.'
It’s not the first time Clem Burke has joined forces with Bootleg Blondie.
In 2019 he embarked on a sold-out 15-date tour with them across the length and breadth of the UK. The trek celebrated the 40th anniversary of Blondie’s ‘Parallel Lines’ and included a headline show at London’s 2,000 capacity O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire.
Speaking in the current issue of Classic Pop Magazine, Burke revealed that he has recorded an album with Bootleg Blondie that he’d like to turn into a stage musical.
“Controversial as touring with Bootleg Blondie was, I really enjoyed it,” Burke said. “We’ve already written 42 songs together, everything in style from big band to Steve Marriott.
“I’ve been co-producing with Debbie and Andy in Lewisham. In an ideal world, what we’re writing would become a West End musical, but I’ll need to phone Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd-Webber to see if they’ll allow us a venue for that first.”
Blondie played an extensive UK arena tour in April and May of this year where they were joined by special guest Johnny Marr. The group is now currently working on their 12th studio album, which will feature former Sex Pistol Glen Matlock on bass.
Take a look through some of Blondie's biggest moments:
1974 - Debbie Harry and Chris Stein meet
Debbie Harry was in the female trio The Stilletos when she met fellow musician Chris Stein. The pair then formed genre-spanning band Blondie in 1974 and started playing in clubs in New York.
1977 - Blondie go on tour and release 'Plastic Letters'
After releasing their debut self-titled album in 1976, the group went on tour the following year. In 1997, they also released their next album 'Plastic Letters' which included hit song 'Denis'.
1978 - Blondie release 'Parallel Lines'
Blondie released their third album in 1978, and the album brought them huge commercial success. 'Parallel Lines' included hit tracks 'Heart of Glass', 'Hanging On The Telephone', and 'One Way or Another' — the latter which has now been certified Platinum.
1980 - 'Autoamerican' album
Following the release of their 'Eat to the Beat' album the year before, Blondie released 'Autoamercian' in 1980. The album included smash hit songs 'Tide Is High' and 'Rapture'. That year they also released their chart-topping track 'Call Me'.
Debbie Harry's acting career
As well as fronting Blondie, Debbie Harry has also acted in several films over the years. She has appeared in the films Union City (1980), Videodrome (1983), Hairspray (1988), Heavy (1995), Six Ways to Sunday (1997), and My Life Without Me (2003), as well as a few TV shows like Wiseguy and The Adverture of Pete and Pete.
1981 - Debbie Harry releases solo music
In her time as a solo artist, Debbie Harry has released numerous albums starting with 'Kookoo' in 1981. She has since brought out 'Rockbird' (1986), 'Def, Dumb and Blonde' (1989), 'Debravation' (1993), and 'Necessary Evil' (2007).
Some of her most popular songs include 'French Kissin (in the USA)', 'I Want That Man', and 'I Can See Clearly'.
1982 - Blondie take a break
In 1982, to fans' disappointment, the band broke up. By this point both Debbie Harry and keyboardist Jimmy Destri had released solo albums.
At this time guitarist Chris Stein was ill with a life-threatening auto-immune disease and Debbie Harry - his girlfriend at the time - took time out of her career to look after him. Thankfully after four years, Chris recovered from the illness.
1997 - Blondie reunite
Following a 16-year break, the group got back together and celebrated with a tour of Europe. They also released their album 'No Exit' in 1999 which included the hugely popular song 'Maria'.
2006 - Blondie are inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
In 2006, Blondie were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They were awarded by Shirley Manson of 90s rock band Garbage.
2014 - 'Ghosts of Download' album
In 2014, the band released their 10th studio album 'Ghosts of Download' which was made up of re-recorded versions of their greatest hits.
Since then they have released one more studio album, 'Pollinator', which came out in 2017 and included hit track 'Fun'.
2019 - Debbie Harry releases memoir Face It
Debbie Harry wrote a memoir called Face It which came out in 2019. It details her story from Blondie's early days to global success.
Speaking about the book, she said: "I have led a very full life. I know there will be questions asked. I didn't want to write it – but I did."
2022 - 'Against The Odds' tour
Blondie toured the UK in April and May 2022, as part of their 'Against The Odds' tour which also took them across The US and Europe.
Unfortunatley before the tour started, long-time member Chris Stein announced that he would not be joining the tour due to a heart condition. Glen Matlock instead joined the group along with suppport act Johnny Marr.
2022: 'Against The Odds' box set
Blondie announced their first ever box set called 'Blondie: Against The Odds'. It was released on 26th August 2022 and features track by track commentary, an illustrated discography, and dozens of previously unpublished photos.
2022: An Evening With Debbie Harry and Chris Stein In Conversation gets postponed
Debbie Harry and Chris Stein were due to embark on their An Evening With Debbie Harry and Chris Stein In Conversation shows in November 2022, but postponed the dates to May 2023.
The shows will take place in London, Glasgow, Manchester and Birmingham, where the pair will talk about their amazing lives, careers and working together.
2022: Chris Stein reveals Blondie are working on a new album
Chris Stein has spoken about a new Blondie album which is in the works. Although a release date hasn't been announced, he did reveal that Sex Pistols bassist Glen Matlock is collaborating on the record, having joined the band on their recent tour.
2023: Blondie perform at Glastonbury
Blondie performed on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury 2023.
2024: Blondie joins Sting as he headlines Belsonic
17-time Grammy Award winning artist, Sting performed a special My Songs concert in Belfast at Belsonic, Ormeau Park on 19th June 2024 — sharing the bill with Special Guest Blondie.
The concert delved into Sting's timeless hits like 'Fields of Gold', 'Roxanne', 'Every Breath You Take', 'Message in a Bottle', among a myriad of other iconic songs, and marked the continuation of his world-spanning tour, which captivated audiences across the US, Europe, Asia, the UAE and Australia.
With Blondie by his side, it was labelled 'an electrifying rock ensemble'.
You can hear songs by Blondie on Greatest Hits Radio.
Now read:
Blondie: Get to know the group behind 'Heart of Glass'
Blondie will be joined by Sex Pistols bassist Glen Matlock on next album
Blondie have released their first ever official box set 'Against The Odds 1974-1982'