“He Was Basically Out of His Mind”: Clem Burke Recalls Wild Iggy Pop Tour—No Food, Face-Smashing, and Mandates

Having mastered the drums, Clem Burke used his skills to land a spot with Blondie shortly after the band formed. While a part of the band for years, he also played with the Ramones for a short time. Rubbing shoulders with some of the most iconic rockstars throughout the years, Burke recently discussed going on the road with Iggy Pop and how wild it got behind stage. 

Speaking with Classic Rock, Burke recalled first hitting the road with Iggy Pop as part of Blondie. This was back in 1977. Getting a great understanding of the type of musician Pop was, the drummer seemed shocked when he toured again with Iggy in 1981. He revealed, “I later toured as part of Iggy’s band for six weeks promoting the Party album in ’81 and he was basically out of his mind. There was no food allowed backstage, only drugs and booze.”

Besides the wild antics behind the curtain, Pop matched it on stage as he once smashed a microphone into his own face. And when it came to other members of the band, Burke added, “It was ‘no blow, no show. ‘and his only mandate was: ‘Play as loud and as fast as possible.’”

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Clem Burke Meets Iggy Pop And David Bowie

Recalling their first national tour in the United States, Burke found himself standing beside Pop and David Bowie. “Blondie’s first national tour of the States was with Iggy, with David Bowie on keyboards. The night before the start of the tour we did a gig at Max’s Kansas City [in New York], got straight in an RV, drove to Montreal overnight [and] went to the venue.” While exhausted, Burke explained how the band was “still crashed out in a funky dressing room backstage when the door opened and in walked Bowie and Iggy. They couldn’t have been nicer.”

As for the conversation, Burke found common ground with Pop as they both shared a love for the same shoes. “Iggy and I both had Anello and Davide Beatle boots on, which I’d got on my first trip to the UK in ’75.” Sharing more than a friendship, the pair went on to make history.

(Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)