Nice tribute, Dan. He was one of the greats…so much fun to watch him play.
I’d never heard about his “oven hair technique”, but if it’s true, it sure got results!
Also, I was thinking about this early-80’s supergroup recently that seemed to be totally ignored at the time. Can you tell me anything about Chequered Past other than who was in the band?
I tried getting into that Chequered Past album at the time - and a few times since - but it really wasn’t my thing. Big 80s rawk with glossy production and lousy songs. Clem’s drumming was great, of course, but the sound of his drums were very “of the moment” in the worst way.
I was at a Taping in Downtown Burbank of The Midnight Special The Magical Night Blondie Hosted!
During one astonishing rock and roll moment, Clem threw a Very High Hat off The Stage!
Who does That?
Like Humphrey Bogart in Play it Again Sam, Clem has always been a mentor in my life, motivating, encouraging, suggesting educating.
When my band Burning Sensations Covered Jonathan's Pablo Picasso and it wound up on The Repo Man soundtrack,
I was forever inspired by the title song being sung by Iggy and Clem Burke slayed on it!
So I was on the same side of an LP as Clem fucking Burke!
One of the three records that I recorded with Stew and The Negro Problem
Clem Burke played on
When he came and sat in on "Our" record release party at The Knitting Factory Hollywood,
we had an amazing conversation about music and Stew. pre Passing Strange Tony Award winning Stew that Clem predicted would happen!
All of this was a precursor, because while I was playing with Stew and Heidi Rodewald, Clem convinced Debbie and Chris to have The Negro Problem open 2 shows for Blondie!
The first one at the Fillmore in San Francisco, and when that show sold out, a poster was generated
so I somehow magically owned a poster from the Fillmore West with Blondie which is an all time bucket list So far beyond my imagination!
and that occurred due to the incredible kindness of Clem Burke!
Later I would play three shows with Clem as a drummer with Dramarama
And one night as part of
The Wild Honey Orchestra at the Alex Theatre, I played keyboards with John Easdale and Mark Englert of Dramarama and of course Clem Ruling
Oh man, this news hit so hard when I read it yesterday. I always thought of Clem as a combination of the intensity of Keith Moon mixed with the coolness of Charlie Watts.
One band he played with that I didn’t see you mention was The Go-Go’s — he sat in for Gina Schock for a few shows back in 2021 when she had to sit out because of Covid. And he was close to Kathy Valentine and she had been writing about how bittersweet it was being in L.A. right now rehearsing with the band to go on a short tour while sitting with a friend she wouldn’t name who was dying and now realizing that friend was Clem Burke.
I have loved Dreaming since that very first second I heard that propulsive drumming kick the song forward. I don’t know where this performance of the song comes from, but nothing to me captures the essence of both Clem and the band better than this performance. https://youtu.be/TU3-lS_Gryk?si=wpxKTqwx_4jNPFXC
That Schubas gig was really hot, if I recall. It was our first (of eventually many) shows with SCOTS. My favorite memory was the lovely Miss Mary Huff saying to us (as we flopped into the dressing room after our set, positively drowning in sweat), “I don’t know how you boys can keep that up like that…and in JACKETS, no less…”. This hurts so, so very much. Thanks for the beautiful words, man.
Yeah, you guys were sounding AND looking good that night! My deepest condolences to you, Michael — I’m sure Clem must have been an absolute joy to work and play with.
And though I already knew he was one of the greatest drummers of all time, and definitely the coolest and the sharpest-no contest-it’s especially nice to have it confirmed that he was also a lovely man, something I think we all knew deep down anyway.
How lucky you were to meet him. I’m very envious.
PS I spent an hour or so chatting to Rick Buckler back in 1978, and he wasn’t a disappointment either. Lovely, lovely bloke, but nowhere near as snazzy as Clem…ha-ha!Let’s hope they’re both making a racket up there…
A clip of their SNL performance of Dreaming happened across my IG timeline just now. It's only about half the song. This wasn't my favorite era of Debbie's fashion choices but Clem looks amazing. https://www.instagram.com/p/DIKX3hyoMjQ/
I have a very vague theory that men who are really snappy dressers are either notably cool cats or total douchebags, with little in between. It's a ridiculous theory but you gotta have theories. Anyway, I'm happy to learn from the things people have been writing in the last day or so that Clem seemed to be one of the good guys.
Not sure if that olive drab naugahyde thing was one of the many outfits Stephen Sprouse designed for her in this period, but yeah... Clem definitely upstaged her that night.
No, the place was pretty packed for SCOTS — but only about 50 folks showed up for the Split Squad set, which was a real shame as they were totally on fire that night.
Bummer. Great story, anywho, and too bad I never got to say Hey to Clem. Saw him plenty of times, at the Park West and beyond. Special props cuz he was a Ramone for a time.
Nice tribute, Dan. He was one of the greats…so much fun to watch him play.
I’d never heard about his “oven hair technique”, but if it’s true, it sure got results!
Also, I was thinking about this early-80’s supergroup recently that seemed to be totally ignored at the time. Can you tell me anything about Chequered Past other than who was in the band?
https://alchetron.com/Chequered-Past
I tried getting into that Chequered Past album at the time - and a few times since - but it really wasn’t my thing. Big 80s rawk with glossy production and lousy songs. Clem’s drumming was great, of course, but the sound of his drums were very “of the moment” in the worst way.
That was a greta night at Schuba's, indeed. I had a similar warm though limited chat with Burke and Josh at the bar. Farewell...
I was at a Taping in Downtown Burbank of The Midnight Special The Magical Night Blondie Hosted!
During one astonishing rock and roll moment, Clem threw a Very High Hat off The Stage!
Who does That?
Like Humphrey Bogart in Play it Again Sam, Clem has always been a mentor in my life, motivating, encouraging, suggesting educating.
When my band Burning Sensations Covered Jonathan's Pablo Picasso and it wound up on The Repo Man soundtrack,
I was forever inspired by the title song being sung by Iggy and Clem Burke slayed on it!
So I was on the same side of an LP as Clem fucking Burke!
One of the three records that I recorded with Stew and The Negro Problem
Clem Burke played on
When he came and sat in on "Our" record release party at The Knitting Factory Hollywood,
we had an amazing conversation about music and Stew. pre Passing Strange Tony Award winning Stew that Clem predicted would happen!
All of this was a precursor, because while I was playing with Stew and Heidi Rodewald, Clem convinced Debbie and Chris to have The Negro Problem open 2 shows for Blondie!
The first one at the Fillmore in San Francisco, and when that show sold out, a poster was generated
so I somehow magically owned a poster from the Fillmore West with Blondie which is an all time bucket list So far beyond my imagination!
and that occurred due to the incredible kindness of Clem Burke!
Later I would play three shows with Clem as a drummer with Dramarama
And one night as part of
The Wild Honey Orchestra at the Alex Theatre, I played keyboards with John Easdale and Mark Englert of Dramarama and of course Clem Ruling
on The Kinks Shangri-LA
https://youtu.be/TeN-gY2ZFU8?si=H9ffvs3FRj5Y4ktJ
In conclusion,
I want it to say that Clem always supported local bands, local scenes and local musicians
and he went out of his way to support those scenes.
He was always my very favorite rock 'n' roll drummer
B Sides Ringo!
A real Mensch
Rock & Roll music will absolutely never sound the same without him
Great memories, Morley! Thank you for sharing. He really was a mensch, wasn’t he?
Oh man, this news hit so hard when I read it yesterday. I always thought of Clem as a combination of the intensity of Keith Moon mixed with the coolness of Charlie Watts.
One band he played with that I didn’t see you mention was The Go-Go’s — he sat in for Gina Schock for a few shows back in 2021 when she had to sit out because of Covid. And he was close to Kathy Valentine and she had been writing about how bittersweet it was being in L.A. right now rehearsing with the band to go on a short tour while sitting with a friend she wouldn’t name who was dying and now realizing that friend was Clem Burke.
I have loved Dreaming since that very first second I heard that propulsive drumming kick the song forward. I don’t know where this performance of the song comes from, but nothing to me captures the essence of both Clem and the band better than this performance. https://youtu.be/TU3-lS_Gryk?si=wpxKTqwx_4jNPFXC
That’s actually the official video for the song - the band did videos for every song on Eat to the Beat, and released them all on one videotape.
That Schubas gig was really hot, if I recall. It was our first (of eventually many) shows with SCOTS. My favorite memory was the lovely Miss Mary Huff saying to us (as we flopped into the dressing room after our set, positively drowning in sweat), “I don’t know how you boys can keep that up like that…and in JACKETS, no less…”. This hurts so, so very much. Thanks for the beautiful words, man.
Yeah, you guys were sounding AND looking good that night! My deepest condolences to you, Michael — I’m sure Clem must have been an absolute joy to work and play with.
Nice piece! And I haven't seen that doc, so now I must! Cheers ~
I actually just stumbled upon it yesterday!
Thanks for the story Dan. Would never try to practice to Blondie recordings. Still, can only listen with awe!
Nice tribute! I keep thinking about that opening of "Dreaming!"
It’s such an incredible opening salvo!
Beautiful tribute to a great drummer!
You do tributes and eulogies better than anyone! A fine piece. Clem would be pleased.
Nice tribute to an amazing artist.
Lovely, lovely piece, Dan.
And though I already knew he was one of the greatest drummers of all time, and definitely the coolest and the sharpest-no contest-it’s especially nice to have it confirmed that he was also a lovely man, something I think we all knew deep down anyway.
How lucky you were to meet him. I’m very envious.
PS I spent an hour or so chatting to Rick Buckler back in 1978, and he wasn’t a disappointment either. Lovely, lovely bloke, but nowhere near as snazzy as Clem…ha-ha!Let’s hope they’re both making a racket up there…
Yeah, Rick wasn't exactly the Jam's "fashion plate," was he? No matter — the way he played made me forgive the Lonsdale sweatshirts!
Unexpected and heartbreaking...
Truly.
Love this, and every word rings true. I crossed paths with him only once, but he was a gent and one of a kind. Thanks for the tribute!
A clip of their SNL performance of Dreaming happened across my IG timeline just now. It's only about half the song. This wasn't my favorite era of Debbie's fashion choices but Clem looks amazing. https://www.instagram.com/p/DIKX3hyoMjQ/
I have a very vague theory that men who are really snappy dressers are either notably cool cats or total douchebags, with little in between. It's a ridiculous theory but you gotta have theories. Anyway, I'm happy to learn from the things people have been writing in the last day or so that Clem seemed to be one of the good guys.
Not sure if that olive drab naugahyde thing was one of the many outfits Stephen Sprouse designed for her in this period, but yeah... Clem definitely upstaged her that night.
LOVED this! Always loved the drums in "Dreaming". Thanks for writing.
And...only 50 peeps showed at Schubas for SCOTS? An abomination! No accounting for taste!!
No, the place was pretty packed for SCOTS — but only about 50 folks showed up for the Split Squad set, which was a real shame as they were totally on fire that night.
Bummer. Great story, anywho, and too bad I never got to say Hey to Clem. Saw him plenty of times, at the Park West and beyond. Special props cuz he was a Ramone for a time.