Interesting and unique physiological study of Clem Burke
while performing in concert. Bottom line: our favorite drummer is in good
physical condition.--Ed.
I first became aware of the group Blondie in 1977 when a close friend bought me a 12 inch record, containing 3 tracks for 75 pence, from a local record shop ['Rip Her to Shreds', 'In the Flesh' and 'X Offender']. I subsequently joined the Blondie Fan Club in 1979 and at the age of 15 years I witnessed Blondie play 'Live' for the first time at the England Birmingham Odeon (1980).
In 1998, to celebrate the completion of my PhD in Exercise Physiology, I went to see a re-formed Blondie play 'Live' at the Lyceum Theatre in London. It was during this performance that I had the idea of contacting Clem Burke to see if he would be interested in being involved in a research project aimed at increasing our understanding of the physiological demands associated with playing the drums during a 'Live' concert'.
On Sunday 7th November 1999, prior to Blondie's performance at Wembley Arena (London, England), a meeting took place between Clem Burke, Dr. Tim Holder (Sports Psychologist, University College Chichester) and myself to finalise the research programme....
Background credit: Marcus Smith