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,Bassist
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 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. He quickly became known for his amazing drumming skills. His nickname "Topper" came from a comic book character named Mickey the Monkey in the Topper comic.

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

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

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

Joining The Clash

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

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

Topper even sang 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" from Combat Rock. On that song, he played drums, piano, and bass guitar.

Challenges and Departure from The Clash

Topper Headon in 2018

Joe Strummer, the singer and guitarist for the Clash, said that Topper's drumming was very important to the band. Over time, some differences grew between Topper and the other band members. He left the band on May 10, 1982. This happened at the start of the Combat Rock tour. The band told everyone that Topper left because he was tired.

In a later interview for a film called The Clash: Westway to the World, Topper expressed regret about his past challenges. He thought that if he had not left the Clash, the band might have stayed together longer. He also shared that the most famous Clash lineup had thought about getting back together. This was after they had a good reunion during the Westway to the World film. Sadly, this reunion could not happen after Joe Strummer passed away.

Life After The Clash

After leaving the Clash, Topper Headon continued to make music. He was considered as a drummer for Big Audio Dynamite, a band formed by Mick Jones from the Clash. He also played in a band called Samurai for a short time. This band included bassist Pete Farndon and guitarist Henry Padovani from The Police.

Topper then worked on his own solo album, Waking Up, which came out in 1986. Other musicians like Mick Gallagher, Bobby Tench, and Jimmy Helms played on it. He also released a single called "Drumming Man." His song "Hope for Donna" was featured on a music collection called Beat Runs Wild. In the 1980s, Topper also helped produce albums for the New York band Bush Tetras. 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. He was very sad and said, "It's taken Joe's death to make me realise just how big the Clash were. We were a political band and Joe was the one who wrote the lyrics. Joe was one of the truest guys you could ever meet. If he said 'I am behind you', then you knew he meant it 100 percent."

Topper Headon was interviewed for the 2007 film Joe Strummer: The Future Is Unwritten. He talked about his experiences during his time with the Clash. He also shared how seeing someone else play drums in the "Rock the Casbah" music video made him feel very down.

On January 11, 2008, Topper performed with the band Carbon/Silicon in London. This band included Mick Jones. Topper joined them on stage to play drums on the 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 2003, Topper started having back pain. He was diagnosed with hyperkyphosis, which is a curve in the back. He worked hard to improve his posture and exercises every day. He noted that his new upright stance was visible during his performance with Mick Jones.

Topper also became a spokesperson for the Hepatitis C Trust. In February 2009, the BBC featured Topper in a story about drumming as a way to feel better. He shared some of his story in a video interview. In 2012, he was interviewed by fellow drummer Spike Webb. He shared stories from his years with The Clash and how he wrote '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 in 1979.

Drumming Style

Topper Headon had a unique drumming style. He often used a simple bass and snare beat. He added special touches with his closed hi-hat. 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 recognizable beats in rock music. Music writer Scott Kenemore said that Topper's drumming was "tremendous" and a "treasure."

Discography

With the Clash

• Give 'Em Enough Rope (1978)
• The Clash (1979 U.S. release; he played 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 "1977" and "Listen")

Solo Music

Topper Headon has released one studio album and several singles as a solo artist. He has also appeared on other artists' albums.

Studio Albums

EPs

Singles

See also

In Spanish: Topper Headon para niños