Blondie drummer Clem Burke's shocking secrets and wild nights out as fans pay tribute

drummer, , lifted the lid on what it was really like being part of the iconic band a year before his death, which was . The talented musician, who has died aged 70 after a secret battle with cancer, was part of Blondie for more than half a century and performed with a whole host of stars, including Pete Townend, Iggy Pop and Bob Dylan.

Reflecting on his time with the One Way or Another legends in September last year, Clem admitted they got up to all sorts of hijinks, including wild nights out as well as seeing stars in "stinky dressing rooms". However, there was also 'unhappiness' when he toured with the Ramones. So, as his legion of loyal fans pay tribute to the star, who Blondie described as the 'heartbeat' of the group, here's what really went on behind the scenes, according to Clem...

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'Collapsing in a stinky dressing room' with David Bowie

Reflecting on Blondie’s early days, Clem toldabout their first national tour in the United States with music legend other than Iggy Pop, who was joined by on keyboards.

Revealing the icons "couldn't have been kinder" as the band "collapsed in a stinky dressing room", he said: “The night before the tour started, we played a show at Max’s Kansas City.

"After the show, we got into a camper, drove all night to Montreal, and collapsed in a stinky dressing room. The door opened, and in walked Bowie and Iggy. They couldn’t have been kinder."

'No food allowed - only drugs and alcohol'

While on tour with Iggy Pop, promoting the star's 1981 album, Party, Clem says there was a strict backstage rule of 'No food allowed - only drugs and alcohol'.

The rule, he claimed was ‘No coke, no show', with Iggy’s only directive being: "Play as loud and fast as you can".

'Older sister' Debbie Harry

Clem toured the for years with Blondie star, Debbie Harry, who the drummer said was "practically like my older sister".

Praising the iconic singer, who he said had the "same talent as Bowie and Lou Reed,” he also reflected on encounters with other music icons like Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols and Pete Townshend, whom he called “a true gentleman.”

Clashes with Johnny Ramone

While many of Clem's memories on the tour were happy, he admitted to clashing horribly with Ramones star, Johnny Ramone.

Claiming he was asked to join the band four times until he gave in while explaining it "wouldn't be forever", he said of Johnny: "He was a b*****d", adding: “I was asked to join the Ramones four times, and when I finally said yes, I made it clear it wouldn’t be forever.

"Johnny’s guitar was just a means to an end for him, and I don’t think he cared much about it. He refused to rehearse, so I had to figure things out on my own. Now they’re all gone, and it’s a great sadness, but the Ramones was not a happy place to be.”

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