'Clem was not just a drummer; he was the heartbeat of Blondie.' Debbie Harry

'Clem was not just a drummer; he was the heartbeat of Blondie.' Debbie Harry

For anyone who loves music this is a backstage pass to a life lived fully as one of rock's greatest heroes.

In The Other Side of the Dream, Clem Burke reflects on his extraordinary journey from the gritty streets of New York City to global superstardom. With candour and wit, he recounts the explosive punk scene that gave rise to Blondie, the creative partnerships that defined their music and the challenges of navigating fame in a constantly evolving industry.

Clem began writing his memoir more than 20 years ago, often setting it aside amid relentless touring and recording schedules. When cancer treatment and illness forced his retirement, completing the book became a priority, which he did shortly before he died.

This is Clem's story, in his own words.

'His talent, energy, and passion for music were unmatched, and his contributions to our sound and success are immeasurable. Beyond his musicianship, Clem was a source of inspiration both on and off the stage. His vibrant spirit, infectious enthusiasm and rock solid work ethic touched everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.' – Debbie Harry and Chris Stein.

Details

ISBN13: 9780008695514
Format: Hardback
Number of Pages: 368
Edition:
Publication Date: 01 Sep 2026
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Publication City, Country: London, United Kingdom
Dimensions (cm): 24(H)x15.9(L)x4(W)720
Weight (gm): 720

Author Biography

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Clem Burke appears on every relevant 'best drummers of all time' list that matters. Burke plays drums on every album Blondie has sold world wide and has been with the band since the very beginning. In 2008, Burke founded the Clem Burke Drumming project to investigate the physical and mental-health benefits of drumming. This is his first book.

Reviews

'Clem Burke is my favorite drummer ever. I don’t mean that with any sub-categorizations of genres or eras. Ever in my whole life… His music makes me happy that music exists at all. The ultimate celebration of everything great. Clem embraces his role as a drummer and lets his drumming style speak for itself. A pure musician.' Fred Armisen
'Clem was not just a drummer; he was the heartbeat of Blondie.' Debbie Harry
'A vivid portrait of rock’s unapologetically messy glory days in the 1970s and 1980s, with so much detail you wonder how he remembered it all (diaries? Post-Its? Tape recordings?), its only negative is that he won’t be here to read all the glowing reviews.' Telegraph
'[Clem] reflects on his journey from the gritty streets of New York to global fame with candour and wit…' The I
'This fabulous posthumous memoir zips along like one of Burke's signature drum patterns' Daily Express
'The Other Side of the Dream tells a blue-chic pop story with stick-twirling elan' MOJO
“A moving account of a life lived like a Keith Moon drum salvo with eloquence and wit." Classic Rock Magazine