I'm Sorry For My Blondie-obsessed Friend's Loss
For 30-plus years, I've listened to my friend Rob talk about Blondie. Today, when drummer Clem Burke died at age 70, Rob's life changed forever
As the hours tick by, I become more and more sad about Clem Burke leaving this world. No doubt it's because I am still reading through all the beautiful tributes. However, I also know a lot of it has to do with my friendship with Robert Ferraiuolo -- the biggest Blondie fan I've ever known. We met in college, and when we realized his love for his band was on the same level as mine for Duran Duran, we bonded for life. That's more than 30 years of me talking with him about Blondie -- every album, show, outfit, Debbie solo album...! So, when Katy Krassner told me about Clem's passing this morning, my heart sank: Does Rob know yet? I wondered. When 30 minutes passed, and I still hadn't heard from him about Clem, I knew I had to do the calling. I did...and got his voicemail. I thought: How do I leave this news in a voicemail?? Like this: "I'm sorry. Call me." (No pun intended. Really.) Rob called me soon after. When he got my message, he immediately googled "Debbie Harry." Seeing she was alive and well, he then googled "Clem Burke." Sigh. He said he knew it was coming, and likely sooner than later. (Rob's always had the inside scoop on the band -- told you he was like me with DD.) Still, this is a big deal. As he reminded me, Clem is the first Blondie member to pass away — and the youngest. He said Debbie had said something recently referring to her upcoming 80th birthday on July 1st: She lamented that when you live that long, a lot of your friends are no longer around to celebrate. I reminded Rob: Debbie -- herself a mega-fan of the New York Dolls -- only just lost David Johansen (also to cancer) a month ago. We talked a while longer, but then Rob had to get back to work. He's a therapist who spends an inordinate amount of time telling patients important Blondie facts, such as how they were the first act to have a number-one rap song. But before we hung up, I had to know: When and where was Clem's last show? Was it at Cruel World 2024 in Pasadena? (I was there.) Rob said No, it was in June '24, in Belfast. Rob knows everything Blondie. Always has, always will. I'm always touched by your Blondie knowledge, dear Rob. My heart goes out to you, and to all the Blondie fans, and to all who knew and loved Jersey boy Clem Burke, one of the best drummers to ever do it -- and definitely one of the coolest.
I finally got to meet Clem when he came to my job to see a classic punk legend play (Ivan of Richard Hell) . I was floored because I never met him & it wss his birthday a few days before. 1st thing I said was Happy Birthday of course there's no other way I'd know that unless I knew who he was. He wss incredibly sweet & I asked what he was doing there & he just decided to let me know that he was getting ready to play with the Go-Go's! For a second I didn't believe him (bcuz they're girls, Duh!) but then I thought why would he lie, so it made me feel good to know he'd said that to me knowing how much I admired him & knew his birthday. He said he was leaving for London & I flipped because I realized that Gina was having hand surgery & wasn't going to play. Then it got announced & I just flipped. So it was such a joy to meet him & he was just the greatest! I know they broadcast that Go-Go's show on 1st Wave so hopefully they'll release that. I'll miss him! Blondie won't be the same. 💔
Damn someone else has my handle!?! But really, thanks for sharing this sweet, personal and deep connection to a fellow music fan. I know your friend appreciates your support. I keep telling my wife that we really need to see all those bands we love from back in the day that are still touring because they probably won't be doing that for much longer. Who wants to work that hard in their 70's?