Clem Burke, the drummer in Blondie and self-described “rock survivalist” who played with numerous stars in a decorated career, has died. He was 70.

Burke died from cancer, the band said Monday in a statement posted on Instagram. He had been battling the disease privately for some time.

“Clem was not just a drummer; he was the heartbeat of Blondie. His talent, energy and passion for music were unmatched, and his contributions to our sound and success are immeasurable,” bandmates Debbie Harry and Chris Stein wrote.

Burke was part of Blondie from almost the very start and enjoyed massive success with the group as they skyrocketed to global fame in the late 1970s. Blondie eventually charted four No. 1 hits from 1979 to 1981: “Heart of Glass,” “Call Me,” “The Tide is High” and “Rapture.”

While Blondie took a lengthy break from the early 1980s until the late 1990s, Burke worked with several more groups and singers, among them Eurythmics, Bob Dylan, Pete Townshend, Iggy Pop and Joan Jett, just to name a few.

“His influence and contributions have spanned decades and genres, leaving an indelible mark on every project he was a part of,” Harry and Stein wrote Monday.

Born Nov. 24, 1954, in Bayonne, New Jersey, Burke started drumming at age 14 but was kicked out of the school band for playing too loudly, according to his bio on the Blondie website. In the mid-1970s, Burke simply answered an ad in the Village Voice looking for a “freak energy” rock drummer to join a band. He got the gig.

From 1976 to 1982, Blondie released six albums, which eventually led to massive tours and a worldwide following. In 2006, the group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

“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,” Harry and Stein wrote. “His legacy will live on through the tremendous amount of music he created and the countless lives he touched.”

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