Editing Topper Headon

{{Short description|British drummer}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2011}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name             = Topper Headon
| image            = Topper2018.jpg
| caption          = Headon in 2018
| birth_name       = Nicholas Bowen Headon
| alias            = Topper
| birth_date       = {{Birth date and age|1955|5|30|df=y}}{{citation needed|date=March 2024}}  <!-- {{Birth date and age|YYYY|MM|DD}} for living people supply only the year with {{Birth year and age|YYYY}} unless the exact date is already widely published, as per [[WP:DOB]]. For people who have died, use {{Birth date|YYYY|MM|DD}}. -->
| birth_place      = [[Bromley]], Kent, England
| genre            = [[Jazz]], [[Soul music|soul]], [[R&B]], [[Rock music|rock]], [[punk rock]], [[New wave music|new wave]], [[reggae]], [[rock and roll]]
| occupation       = Drummer,Bassist
| years_active     = 1973–present
| associated_acts  = [[The Clash]], [[Mirkwood (band)|Mirkwood]], [[Bobby Tench]], [[Jimmy Helms]], [[Mick Gallagher]]
| website          = 
}}

'''Nicholas Bowen''' "'''Topper'''" '''Headon''' (born 30 May 1955){{citation needed|date=March 2024}} is an English drummer and multi-instrumentalist, best known as the drummer of [[punk rock]] band [[the Clash]]. Headon was inducted in the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] with the rest of the Clash in 2003.

He joined the Clash in 1977 and became famed for his drumming skills. He received his nickname owing to his resemblance to [[Mickey the Monkey]] from the ''[[Topper (comic book)|Topper]]'' comic.

==Early life==
Headon spent his early childhood in [[Crockenhill]], northwest [[Kent]], before attending [[Dover Grammar School for Boys]].<ref name="Topper Headon">{{cite news |last=Finlay |first=Simon |title=Topper Headon: why the Clash has reunited |url=http://www.folkestoneherald.co.uk/Topper-Headon-Clash-reunited/story-19706798-detail/story.html |access-date=26 February 2014 |newspaper=Folkestone Herald |date=25 August 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140308023546/http://www.folkestoneherald.co.uk/Topper-Headon-Clash-reunited/story-19706798-detail/story.html |archive-date=8 March 2014}}</ref> He started playing drums at an early age and was a [[jazz]] fan, citing [[Billy Cobham]] as a strong influence. In 1973, he joined the [[cult following|cult]] [[progressive rock]] outfit [[Mirkwood (band)|Mirkwood]]. He appeared with them for a year and a half, and they supported major acts such as [[Supertramp]]. He later played with a band that opened for American [[R&B]] legends [[the Temptations]]<ref name="allmusic.com-Headon-Biography">{{cite web |url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p85474|pure_url=yes}} |title=Topper Headon > Biography |access-date=12 December 2007 |last=Prato |first=Greg |publisher=allmusic.com |quote=a) [[Sandy Pearlman]] dubbed Headon "The Human [[Drum Machine]]," due to his impeccable timing and skills. <br />b) Headon grew up a [[soul music|soul]] and [[jazz]] fan (an early influence was ace fusion drummer [[Billy Cobham]]), and he was once a member of a local group that opened a show for [[The Temptations]]. <br />c) Headon's original plan was to stay with the Clash for only a year – which he figured would give enough time to get his name known so he could move on to another more "suitable" group. Headon quickly realised that the group was not just a one-dimensional punk band, as they branched out and touched upon a wide variety of styles – all the while never losing sight of their original punk ideals. <br />d) a heroin addiction had drawn a wedge between Headon and the rest of his bandmates. <br />e) After a planned reunion with Jones (who was expelled from the Clash himself a year after Headon's dismissal) in the group Big Audio Dynamite failed to work out, Headon focused on recording a solo album.}}</ref> and admits to falsely claiming that he played with the Temptations.<ref name="Westway_to_the_World">{{cite video |people=[[Don Letts|Letts, Don]]; Rick Elgood, [[Joe Strummer]], [[Mick Jones (The Clash)|Mick Jones]], [[Paul Simonon]], Topper Headon, [[Terry Chimes]], [[The Clash]] |date=2001 |title=The Clash: [[Westway to the World]] |medium=Documentary |publisher=[[Sony Music Entertainment]]; Dorismo; Uptown Films |location=New York, NY |time=37:00–39:00 |isbn=0-7389-0082-6 |oclc=49798077}}</ref>

==The Clash==
{{main|The Clash}}
{{Quote box
 | quote = I knew Mick [Jones] a year and half ago. For a week I played with the [[London SS]]. I really wanted to join the Clash. I want to give them even more energy than they've got – if that's possible.
 | source = —Topper Headon{{sfn|Coon|1977}}
 | width = 29%
 | align = right
 | salign = right
}}
Originally Headon had joined the Clash in 1977 with the intention of establishing a reputation as a drummer before moving on to other projects,<ref name="allmusic.com-Headon-Biography" /> but he soon realised their full potential and remained with them for four-and-a-half years. His first live performance was at Le Chartreux Cinema, [[Rouen]], France on April 26, 1977. Headon appeared on the albums ''[[Give 'Em Enough Rope]]'' (1978), ''The Clash'' (1979 US version), ''[[London Calling]]'' (1979), ''[[Sandinista!]]'' (1980) and ''[[Combat Rock]]'' (1982), as well as several landmark singles the Clash recorded during their early period. He performed lead vocal on "Ivan Meets G.I. Joe" from ''[[Sandinista!]]'' and composed most of the music and played drums, piano and bass guitar on the hit single "[[Rock the Casbah]]" from ''Combat Rock''. He also appeared on ''[[Super Black Market Clash]]'' (1993), which included [[B-side]]s from the band's single releases.

Clash singer/guitarist [[Joe Strummer]] said Headon's drumming skills were a vital part of the band.<ref name="Westway_to_the_World" /> Tensions rose between Headon and his fellow band members due to his [[addiction]], and he left the band on 10 May 1982, at the beginning of the ''Combat Rock'' tour. The band covered up the real reason for Headon's departure, the apparent growing use of [[heroin]], claiming Headon's exit was due to [[Fatigue (medical)|exhaustion]].<ref name="allmusic.com-Headon-Biography" /> Strummer had even asked Headon once: "How can I be singing anti-drug songs with you sitting behind me?"<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wyman |first=Bill |date=2017-10-11 |title=All 139 the Clash Songs, Ranked From Worst to Best |url=https://www.vulture.com/2017/10/all-139-the-clash-songs-ranked-from-worst-to-best.html |access-date=2022-07-11 |website=Vulture |language=en-us}}</ref>

In a later interview for the [[rockumentary]] ''[[The Clash: Westway to the World]]'', he apologised for his addiction and speculated that, had he not been asked to leave the Clash, the band might have lasted longer and might possibly still be together.<ref name="Westway_to_the_World" /> He also lamented that the best known Clash line-up had been considering a reunion at the time of Strummer's death, after the positive reunion during the ''Westway to the World'' rockumentary.<ref name="Westway_to_the_World" />

== After the Clash ==
After leaving the Clash, he was considered as drummer in Mick Jones's post-Clash band [[Big Audio Dynamite]]<ref name="allmusic.com-Headon-Biography" /> and played in a short-lived group called [[Samurai]], with bassist [[Pete Farndon]], guitarist [[Henry Padovani]] (from [[The Police]]), organist [[Mick Gallagher]] (from [[The Blockheads]]), and vocalist Steve Allen (formerly of [[Deaf School]]).<ref>{{cite book |last=Padovani |first=Henry |title=Secret Police Man |date=2009 |publisher=Pen Press |isbn=978-1-907172-83-0 |pages=6–8}}</ref> Headon subsequently focused on recording a solo album, ''[[Waking Up (Topper Headon album)|Waking Up]]'' (1986),<ref>{{cite book |author=Robbins, Ira |title=The Trouser Press record guide |publisher=Collier Books |page=135}}</ref> which featured Mick Gallagher, [[Bobby Tench]] and [[Jimmy Helms]].<ref>{{cite web |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r40261|pure_url=yes}} |author=Heibutzki, Ralph |title=Topper Headon/Waking up |publisher=allmusic.com |access-date=2009-04-18}}</ref> He also released a cover version of the [[Gene Krupa]] instrumental "Drumming Man" as a single, which featured Headon's "DuKane Road" on the [[B-side]]. His own composition "Hope for Donna" was included on the [[Mercury Records]] sampler ''Beat Runs Wild'', in the same year.<ref>{{cite video |people=Cooke, Brandon; Pete Shelley, Tom Verlaine, Topper Headon, Hipsway, Curiosity Killed the Cat, Wet Wet Wet, Love and Money, Swing Out Sister, Zerra One |date=1986 |title=Beat Runs Wild |medium=LP recording |publisher=Mercury |location=London |oclc=51782857}}</ref> During the 1980s Headon produced albums for New York band [[Bush Tetras]]. In 1989 he contributed drums to the [[punk rock]] band Chelsea's ''Underwraps'' (1989).

During the late 1980s Headon drove mini-cabs to finance his heroin addiction, and later busked on the London Underground with bongo drums.<ref name="Lucas" />

After a live show in 2002, he was informed of the death of Clash frontman [[Joe Strummer]]. An emotional Headon stated: {{blockquote |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.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.strummernews.com/celebrities.html | title = Celebrity Tributes to Joe Strummer | access-date =12 December 2007 |publisher=strummernews.com| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071218074314/http://www.strummernews.com/celebrities.html |archive-date=18 December 2007 | quote = 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.}}</ref>}}

Headon was extensively interviewed for the ''[[Joe Strummer: The Future Is Unwritten]]'' documentary film about the late Clash frontman, which was released in 2007. Headon related his experiences during this period, how he became addicted to heroin and how there were problems before his dismissal. Headon also stated that seeing the video of "[[Rock the Casbah]]" with "someone else ([[Terry Chimes]]) in ''my'' place playing ''my'' song" caused him to fall in even greater depression and heavier drug addiction.{{citation needed|date=January 2015}}

On 11 January 2008, he performed with [[Carbon/Silicon]] at the Carbon Casino Club in [[Portobello Road|Portobello]] London, being included with the line-up of [[Mick Jones (The Clash)|Mick Jones]], [[Tony James (musician)|Tony James]], [[Leo Williams (musician)|Leo Williams]] and [[Dominic Greensmith]]. Headon joined the band on stage during [[the Clash]]'s "[[Train in Vain|Train in Vain (Stand by Me)]]". An encore followed with Headon playing drums on "[[Should I Stay or Should I Go]]". This performance marked the first time since 1982 that Headon and Jones had performed together on stage.<ref>{{cite web
 | url        = http://www.clashmusic.com/live-review/carbon-casino 
 | title      = The Carbon Casino – The Clash reunited! Pair jam after 25 years 
 | access-date = 15 January 2008 
 | last       = Harper 
 | first      = Simon 
 | date       = 12 January 2008 
 | publisher = Clash Music 
 | quote      = For the first night of their six-week residency in West London's Inn on the Green, Carbon/Silicon had promised surprises, but few had realised that meant the reunion of Mick Jones and the powerhouse drummer of The Clash, Topper Headon. 
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
 | url        = http://www.punknews.org/article/27279 
 | title      = Clash members Topper Headon and Mick Jones reunite on stage 
 | access-date = 15 January 2008 
 | date       = 13 January 2008 
 | publisher = Punknews.org
 | quote      = For the first time in 25 years, former Clash members Mick Jones and Topper Headon have shared the stage together. The reunion took place at Carbon/Silicon's "Carbon Casino" residency, and comes five years after Mick joined Joe Strummer on stage at the Brixton Academy. 
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
 | url        = http://www.nme.com/news/clash/33615 
 | title      = The Clash's Mick Jones and Topper Headon reunite after 25 years 
 | access-date = 15 January 2008 
 | date       = 14 January 2008 
 | work=NME |location=UK
 | quote      = Clash drummer joins Carbon/Silicon at London show 
}}</ref>

In a February 2008 newspaper article Headon revealed that in 2003 he started to experience serious back pain, a frequent complaint of ageing rock drummers. Diagnosed with [[hyperkyphosis]], a forward curvature of the back, he underwent intense posture adjustment treatment and continues to exercise daily. He notes that, on his recent appearance with Jones, he exhibited his new upright stance.

At some point in the 1980s, Headon contracted [[Hepatitis C]], which, along with his alcohol intake, led to severe liver problems. Headon successfully underwent interferon treatment for his hepatitis in 2007 and became a spokesman for the Hepatitis C Trust.<ref name="Lucas">{{cite web |last1=Lucas |first1=Mark |title='I forgive you': The Clash's drummer Topper Headon makes peace with the man who sacked him|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/i-forgive-you-the-clashs-drummer-topper-headon-makes-peace-with-the-man-who-sacked-him-1717627.html |website=The Independent |access-date=5 January 2019 |language=en |date=28 June 2009}}</ref>

The BBC featured Headon in a February 2009 feature on drumming as therapy. He shares some of his story in a brief video interview.<ref>{{cite news
 | url        = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7872043.stm
 | title      = Can our natural rhythm heal us? 
 | access-date = 7 June 2010 
 | date       = 10 February 2000
 |publisher = BBC
}}</ref> In 2012 Headon was interviewed by fellow drummer Spike Webb, sharing stories from his years drumming for The Clash and his experience writing 'Rock The Casbah'.<ref>{{cite web
 | url        = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9WpYJQmZK8
 | title      = Topper Headon (The Clash) talks about 'Mad, Bad and Dangerous' 
 | access-date = 5 May 2012 
 | date       = 5 May 2012 
 |publisher= YouTube
}}</ref>

Actor Alex Gold portrayed Headon in the 2016 film ''[[London Town (2016 film)|London Town]]'', which tells the story of a Clash-obsessed teenager who crosses paths with Joe Strummer by happenstance in 1979 and finds his life changing as a result.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/videos/see-joe-strummer-portrayed-in-london-town-trailer-w439500 |title=See Jonathan Rhys Meyers Play Joe Strummer in 'London Town' Trailer|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=2016-09-14}}</ref>

==Drumming style==
As a drummer, Headon often employed a distinctive style which emphasised a simple [[Bass drum|bass]]-[[Snare drum|snare]] [[Downbeat and upbeat|up-down]] beat, accentuated with closed [[Hi-hat (instrument)|hi-hat]] flourishes. Such a method can be found in the songs "[[Clash City Rockers]]", "[[Clampdown]]", "[[Train in Vain]]", and "[[Lost in the Supermarket]]". His drumming on "[[Train in Vain]]" has been characterised as one of the most important and distinctive beats in rock music.<ref name="PopMatters-all-talk-and-no-stick">{{cite web 
 | url        = http://www.popmatters.com/pm/features/article/9466/all-talk-and-no-stick/ 
 | title      = All Talk and No Stick 
 | access-date = 12 December 2007 
 | last       = Kenemore 
 | first      = Scott 
 | author-link = Scott Kenemore 
 | date       = 21 March 2007 
 | publisher = PopMatters 
 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070325233446/http://www.popmatters.com/pm/features/article/9466/all-talk-and-no-stick/
 | archive-date= 25 March 2007
 | quote      = a) Rock fans everywhere recognise his opening beat to the Mick Jones song "Train in Vain". A typical example of Topper’s excellent work, the beat is both catchy and deceptively complicated. <br />b) Despite his personal failings, his contribution to the music was tremendous, and his drumming remains an undiscovered treasure for too many. 
}}</ref> [[Scott Kenemore]] of ''[[PopMatters]]'' writes, "his contribution to the music was tremendous, and his drumming remains an undiscovered treasure for too many."<ref name="PopMatters-all-talk-and-no-stick" />

==Discography==

===With the Clash===
{{See also|The Clash discography}}
* ''[[Give 'Em Enough Rope]]'' (1978)
* ''[[The Clash (album)|The Clash]]'' (1979 U.S. release of the album; <small>originally released in 1977, Headon plays drums on "[[Clash City Rockers]]", "[[Complete Control]]", "[[(White Man) In Hammersmith Palais]]", "[[I fought the law (the clash song)|I Fought the Law]]", and "Jail Guitar Doors"</small>)
* ''[[London Calling]]'' (1979)
* ''[[Sandinista!]]'' (1980)
* ''[[Combat Rock]]'' (1982)
* ''[[Super Black Market Clash]]'' (1980/1993) <small>drums on all tracks except on "1977" and "Listen"</small>

===Solo discography===
Topper Headon has released one studio album, one [[Extended play|EP]], and three singles as a solo artist and featured on several other artists' albums.

====Studio albums====
<div style="border:0; padding:0; text-align:center;">
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!  style="text-align:left; vertical-align:top;"|Year
!  style="text-align:left; vertical-align:top;"|Title
<!-- !align="center" valign="top" |UK
!align="center" valign="top" |US -->
! style="text-align:center; vertical-align:top;"|Record label
! style="text-align:center; vertical-align:top;"|Notes
|-
| rowspan="2" |1986
| style="text-align:left; vertical-align:top;"|''[[Waking Up (Topper Headon album)|Waking Up]]''
<!-- |align="center" valign="top" |
|align="center" valign="top" | -->
| style="text-align:left; vertical-align:top;"|[[Mercury Records|Mercury]] <small>826 779-1</small>
| style="text-align:left; vertical-align:top;"| with guitarist [[Bobby Tench]]<ref name="Tench-Allmusic">{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p130948|pure_url=yes}}|title=Bob Tench at Allmusic|publisher=allmusic.com|access-date=14 December 2008}}</ref> 
|-
| style="text-align:left; vertical-align:top;"|''Beat&nbsp;Runs&nbsp;Wild''
<!-- |align="center" valign="top" |
|align="center" valign="top" | -->
| style="text-align:left; vertical-align:top;"|Mercury
| style="text-align:left; vertical-align:top;"|[[Mercury Records]] sampler. Topper Headon features on track B5. "Hope for Donna"
|}
</div>

====EPs====
<div style="border:0; padding:0; text-align:center;">
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! style="text-align:left; vertical-align:top;"|Year
! style="text-align:left; vertical-align:top;"|Title
<!-- !align="center" valign="top" |UK
!align="center" valign="top" |US -->
! style="text-align:center; vertical-align:top;"|Label
! style="text-align:center; vertical-align:top;"|Notes
|-
| style="text-align:left; vertical-align:top;"|1985
| style="text-align:left; vertical-align:top;"|''Leave It to Luck / East Versus West / Got to Get Out of This Heat S.O.S / Casablanca ''
<!-- |align="center" valign="top" |Label
|align="center" valign="top" | -->
| style="text-align:left; vertical-align:top;"|[[Mercury Records|Mercury]]
| style="text-align:left; vertical-align:top;"|with guitarist [[Bobby Tench]]
|}
</div>

====Singles====
<div style="border:0; padding:0; text-align:center;">
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! style="text-align:left; vertical-align:top;"|Year
! style="text-align:left; vertical-align:top;"|Title
! style="text-align:left; vertical-align:top;"|Album
!align="center" valign="top" |[[Kent Music Report|AUS]]<ref name=aus>{{cite book|last=Kent|first=David|author-link=David Kent (historian)|title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992|edition=illustrated|publisher=Australian Chart Book|location=St Ives, N.S.W.|year=1993|isbn=0-646-11917-6|page=136}}</ref>
! style="text-align:center; vertical-align:top;"|Label
|-
| style="text-align:left; vertical-align:top;"|1985
| style="text-align:left; vertical-align:top;"|"Drumming Man"
|
| style="text-align:left; vertical-align:top;"| 97
| rowspan="3" |[[Mercury Records|Mercury]]
|-
| rowspan="2" |1986
| style="text-align:left; vertical-align:top;"|"Leave It to Luck"
| rowspan="2" |''[[Waking Up (Topper Headon album)|Waking Up]]''
| style="text-align:left; vertical-align:top;"| -
|-
| style="text-align:left; vertical-align:top;"|"I'll Give You Everything"
| style="text-align:left; vertical-align:top;"| -
|}
</div>

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

==References==
{{Refbegin}}
* {{cite book |last=Clash |first=The |author-link=The Clash |title=The Clash: Strummer, Jones, Simonon, Headon |date=1 October 2008 |publisher=Atlantic Books |location=London |isbn=978-1-84354-788-4 |oclc=236120343 |ref=_note-The Clash-Strummer_Jones_Simonon_Headon }}
* {{Cite book |last1=Coon |first1=Caroline |author-link1=Caroline Coon |title=1988: The New Wave Punk Rock Explosion |url=http://homepage.mac.com/blackmarketclash/Bands/Clash/Clash%20gigography/1976%20DATES.html |access-date=2011-09-19 |year=1977 |publisher=Hawthorn |location=[[London]] |isbn=0-8015-6129-9 |oclc=79262599 }}
* {{cite book |last=Gilbert |first=Pat |title=Passion Is a Fashion: The Real Story of The Clash |orig-year=2004 |edition=4th |year=2005 |publisher=[[Aurum Press]] |location=London |isbn=1-84513-113-4 |oclc=61177239 }}
* {{cite book |last=Gray |first=Marcus |title=The Clash: Return of the Last Gang in Town |orig-year=1995 |edition=5th revised |year=2005 |publisher=Helter Skelter |location=London |isbn=1-905139-10-1 |oclc=60668626 }}
* {{cite book |last=Green |first=Johnny |author2=Garry Barker |title=A Riot of Our Own: Night and Day with The Clash |orig-year=1997 |edition=3rd |year=2003 |publisher=Orion |location=London |isbn=0-7528-5843-2 |oclc=52990890 }}
* {{cite book |last=Gruen |first=Bob |author-link=Bob Gruen |author2=Chris Salewicz |title=The Clash |orig-year=2001 |edition=3rd |year=2004 |publisher=Omnibus |location=London |isbn=1-903399-34-3 |oclc=69241279 }}
* {{cite book |last=Needs |first=Kris |author-link=Kris Needs |title=Joe Strummer and the Legend of the Clash |date=25 January 2005 |publisher=Plexus |location=London |isbn=0-85965-348-X |oclc=53155325 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/joestrummerlegen00need }}
* {{cite book |last=Topping |first=Keith |author-link=Keith Topping |title=The Complete Clash |orig-year=2003 |edition=2nd |year=2004 |publisher=Reynolds & Hearn |location=Richmond |isbn=1-903111-70-6 |oclc=63129186 }}
{{Refend}}

==External links==
* {{discogs artist|Topper Headon}}
* {{IMDb name|0372197}}

{{The Clash}}
{{2003 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Headon, Topper}}
[[Category:1955 births]]
[[Category:English punk rock drummers]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Musicians from Kent]]
[[Category:People educated at Dover Grammar School for Boys]]
[[Category:Musicians from the London Borough of Bromley]]
[[Category:People from Bromley]]
[[Category:The Clash members]]
[[Category:English rock drummers]]