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The Other Side of the Dream

My Life In and Out of Blondie

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The Other Side of the Dream

By: Clem Burke, Fred Armisen - introduction
Narrated by: Ari Fliakos, Fred Armisen, Kathy Valentine
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'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.

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Critic 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
All stars
Most relevant
Mike Chapman never produced Showaddywaddy , it's a mistake in the book , should be arranged .....fso far the book is good ....

Mike Chapman never produced Showaddywaddy

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That was a good listen. Blondie was such a big part of my growing up it was a privilege to hear about the inside story of that, plus 70’s New York and the other bands around at that time. A humble, honest and touching book, enjoyed it immensely.

X-offender

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I really enjoyed this. Clem speaks with that ‘little boy’ wonder about meeting his musical heroes. Such a talented musician and great human being.

A true fan of music

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This is a riveting telling of his life by the late Clem Burke, the brilliant drummer and 'heartbeat' of iconic group Blondie. Filed with amazing anecdotes of 1970s NYC, this is a must-read for anyone interested in rock history. Clem's storytelling style is intimate and laid back, and the audiobook reader does a brilliant job, it genuinely feels like Clem is alive again. I love this book.

incredible autobiography from one of the greatest drummers ever!

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This book has it all - personal feelings, band dynamics and technical information on how they made the music. And just the right amount of each. I loved this book so much.

Colourful story of a musical legend

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