Topper Headon facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Topper Headon
Headon in 2018
Background information
Birth name	Nicholas Bowen Headon
Also known as	Topper
Born	(1955-05-30) 30 May 1955 (age 70) Bromley, Kent, England
Genres	Jazz, soul, R&B, rock, punk rock, new wave, reggae, rock and roll
Occupation(s)	Drummer
Years active	1973–present
Associated acts	The Clash, Mirkwood, Bobby Tench, Jimmy Helms, Mick Gallagher

Nicholas Bowen "Topper" Headon (born 30 May 1955) is an English drummer and musician. He is best known as the drummer for the famous punk rock band the Clash. Topper Headon is known for his great drumming skills. He was honored in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003 along with the other members of the Clash.

He joined the Clash in 1977. His nickname "Topper" came from a comic book character.

Early Life and Music Beginnings

Topper Headon grew up in Crockenhill, a town in Kent, England. He went to Dover Grammar School for Boys. Topper started playing drums when he was young. He loved jazz music and was inspired by drummers like Billy Cobham.

In 1973, he joined a band called Mirkwood. He played with them for about a year and a half. They even opened for bigger bands like Supertramp. Later, he played with a band that opened for the American R&B group the Temptations.

Topper Headon and The Clash

Topper Headon joined the Clash in 1977. At first, he planned to stay only a short time. He wanted to gain experience as a drummer before moving on. But he soon saw how talented the band was. He decided to stay with them for four and a half years.

His first show with the Clash was in Rouen, France, on April 26, 1977. Topper played drums on many important albums. These include Give 'Em Enough Rope (1978), London Calling (1979), Sandinista! (1980), and Combat Rock (1982). He also played on many of their popular singles.

Topper Headon sang the lead vocals on the song "Ivan Meets G.I. Joe" from the Sandinista! album. He also wrote most of the music for the hit song "Rock the Casbah". On that song, he played drums, piano, and bass guitar.

Joe Strummer, the singer and guitarist for the Clash, said Topper's drumming was very important to the band's sound. Topper left the band on May 10, 1982. This happened at the start of the Combat Rock tour. He faced personal challenges that led him to leave the group.

In a later interview, Topper Headon said he was sorry for the difficulties he caused. He thought that if he had stayed, the Clash might have lasted longer. He also shared that the band's most famous lineup had thought about getting back together. This was before Joe Strummer passed away.

After The Clash

After leaving the Clash, Topper Headon worked on a solo album. It was called Waking Up and came out in 1986. Other musicians like Mick Gallagher, Bobby Tench, and Jimmy Helms played on it. He also released a cover of "Drumming Man," a song by Gene Krupa.

In 1989, he played drums on the album Underwraps by the band Chelsea.

In 2002, after a live show, Topper learned that Joe Strummer had passed away. Topper was interviewed for a documentary film about Joe Strummer. The film, Joe Strummer: The Future Is Unwritten, was released in 2007.

On January 11, 2008, Topper performed with the band Carbon/Silicon. This band included Mick Jones, who was also in the Clash. Topper joined them on stage to play drums on two Clash songs: "Train in Vain (Stand by Me)" and "Should I Stay or Should I Go". This was the first time Topper and Mick Jones had played together on stage since 1982.

In 2008, Topper Headon shared that he had back pain. He was diagnosed with hyperkyphosis, which is a curve in the back. He worked on improving his posture and exercises every day. He noted that his new upright posture was clear during his performance with Mick Jones.

Topper Headon also faced health challenges, including a liver condition. He received treatment for it in 2007. After his treatment, he became a spokesperson for the Hepatitis C Trust. In 2009, the BBC featured Topper in a story about drumming as a way to help with health. He shared some of his experiences in a video interview.

In 2012, Topper was interviewed by fellow drummer Spike Webb. He shared stories from his time drumming for The Clash. He also talked about writing "Rock The Casbah."

In the 2016 film London Town, actor Alex Gold played Topper Headon. The movie is about a teenager who loves the Clash and meets Joe Strummer.

Drumming Style

Topper Headon had a special way of drumming. He often used a simple bass and snare beat. He added quick, short sounds with his hi-hat cymbals. You can hear this style in songs like "Clash City Rockers", "Clampdown", "Train in Vain", and "Lost in the Supermarket".

His drumming on "Train in Vain" is considered one of the most important and unique beats in rock music. Many people believe his drumming was a huge part of the Clash's sound.

Discography

With the Clash

• Give 'Em Enough Rope (1978)
• The Clash (1979 U.S. release of the album; originally released in 1977, Headon plays drums on "Clash City Rockers", "Complete Control", "(White Man) In Hammersmith Palais", "I Fought the Law", and "Jail Guitar Doors")
• London Calling (1979)
• Sandinista! (1980)
• Combat Rock (1982)
• Super Black Market Clash (1980/1993) drums on all tracks except on "1977" and "Listen"

Solo discography

Topper Headon has released one studio album, one EP, and three singles as a solo artist and featured on several other artists' albums.

Studio albums

EPs

Singles

See also

In Spanish: Topper Headon para niños