News Archives: 2011

Clem Burke to be awarded Honorary Doctorate of Music

4 July 2011

Blondie Drummer Clem Burke is to be awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Music by the University of Gloucestershire for his groundbreaking involvement in a project that bears his name.

The Clem Burke Drumming Project (CBDP) was launched in July 2008 in collaboration with Clem Burke, the University of Gloucestershire and the University of Chichester.  The seminal research revealed that professional drummers had a heart rate profile similar to professional footballers and expended a significant amount of energy per performance. 

The award recognises not only his musical excellence, but also the pioneering work he has undertaken to explore the physical demands of drumming and the uses of drumming to promote physical and psychological wellbeing.

Subsequent work by the Project has included the positive effects of drumming amongst primary school children with a range of educational needs and drumming as an intervention to super-obese children. The Project is also about to publish data on 15 professional drummers that shows that the initial findings on Clem’s performance are typical.  Darrin Mooney, drummer for Primal Scream, Matt Tong from Bloc Party, Rob Rolfe of Enter Shikari, Kevin Figueiredo, drummer with Extreme and musician Jeremy Hickey, known as R.S.A.G. have been working with the research team in physiological testing that measures heart rate, oxygen uptake and blood lactate levels in rehearsal testing and during live shows. 

Dr Steve Draper, Co-founder of the CBDP, University of Gloucestershire said:
“This is a proud moment for all involved with the Clem Burke Drumming Project and a fitting recognition of the achievements of its figurehead.   Clem is a respected, world renowned and Grammy Award winning artist who has enjoyed a long and varied career in music.  It has, and continues to be, a privilege to work with him.”

Co-founder, Dr Marcus Smith from the University of Chichester added:
“The award of an Honorary Doctorate of Music to Clem Burke recognises not only his longevity and excellence as a musician but also his willingness to engage with academics to investigate the science of drumming.”

“Over the past 12 years our understanding of the physiological demands of playing the drums has become clear and the potential role drumming may have as an intervention to enhance health and wellbeing.”

Clem is delighted with the awards. He said:
“I would never have expected that my work with the Clem Burke Drumming Project would result in such an award. It is truly a great honour and I accept this award on behalf of my brother drummers everywhere in the world.”

The honorary award will be conferred on July 30 at the Rhythmfest drumming summer school taking place at the University of Gloucestershire’s Park campus in Cheltenham.

More information about the CBDP can be found at http://www.clemburkedrummingproject.com/

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Gay Marriage Bill passes in New York

25 June 2011

rainbow flag

Blondie has always supported equal rights and for me thats all this is about… Senator Stephan Saland, a Republican from Poughkeepsie who cast the deciding vote defined the issue also as one of equality in spite of his ‘traditional views towards marriage’    

So New York has done the right thing here just in time for Gay Pride week! bravo!

 

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Rolling Stone cover story and release of Panic of Girls in Germany

24 June 2011

Rolling Stone magazine is releasing Panic of Girls with its upcoming German edition on June 30.  Debbie Harry and Blondie will be prominently featured on the cover; the German-language issue also contains a “Meeting with Debbie Harry” article, and a 35 Years of Punk special.  Fans and collectors worldwide can order it online now to have your own copy of Blondie once again on the cover of Rolling Stone!

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Live From Abbey Road video

24 June 2011

The video of Debbie and Chris’s acoustic performance at Live From Abbey Road when they where there earlier this month is now available on YouTube.  There will be a full band performance there when they go back in July.

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Debbie to perform in Central Park NYC tomorrow

8 June 2011

Debbie is among the lineup of artists performing at a free concert tomorrow in Central Park in Manhattan.  The show, a benefit to raise money for the poverty-fighting Robin Hood organization in New York City, is headlined by the Black Eyed Peas supported by Taylor Swift, and includes appearances by Carole King, MC Hammer, LL Cool J, Natasha Bedingfield, and Whoopi Goldberg.  Streaming live at http://bit.ly/iwZrPh

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Attention Fans!

26 May 2011

Due to prior personal commitments Clem was not able to perform on the May 25th U.K. Lottery show and is looking forward to the upcoming Euro Blondie tour and the release of Panic of Girls.

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Blondie schedule of appearances

24 May 2011

Blondie is currently in England promoting their new single, “Mother” (available now in the U.K. from Amazon.co.uk and through iTunes) from the forthcoming album, Panic of Girls (now available for pre-order).  Here is their itinerary of scheduled appearances this week:

Sunday 22 May (11:15am): Desert Island Discs (UK radio)
Monday 23 May (7-8pm) Absolute Radio Geoff Lloyd’s hometime show Blondie sessions (live performance)
Tuesday 24 May (10:00am) Lauren Laverne’s show (BBC Radio 6 music)
Tuesday 24 May (10:00pm) Later Live With Jools Holland (BBC2 live interview)
Wednesday 25 May (8:30am) Lorraine Kelly (breakfast TV) ITV1
Wednesday 25 May (2:00pm) Steve Wright in the afternoon BBC Radio 2
Wednesday 25 May (10:35pm) National Lottery show BBC 1
Friday 27 May (12:30pm?) Loose Women ITV1
Saturday 28 May (12:20am) Later With Jools Holland (extended version) BBC2
Sunday 29 May (10:00am) Something for the Weekend (live TV interview)

Order your Panic of Girls Limited Edition Collector’s Pack today!  Out June 1.

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Debbie interview in Screentrade magazine

24 May 2011

Debbie recently did a short interview about her favorite movie theatres which will appear in Screentrade, a magazine covering the international cinema industry with offices in the U.K. and U.S.  For a very limited time, the publisher is offering single copies directly to fans (delivered price: $12 to the U.S., £5 to the U.K.).  The magazine, out June 1, contains a full page photo of Debbie and this unique interview.  For ordering details, email Pamala Stanton or Leslie Waller (outside North America).

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2011 News Archive: Page 3 of 5