Everything about Topper Headon totally explained
Nicholas Bowen "Topper" Headon (born
30 May 1955,
Bromley,
Kent,
England), known as 'Topper' (because of his resemblance to the
cartoon monkey), is a British
rock and roll drummer, best known for his membership in the
punk rock band,
The Clash.
Headon is commonly recognized as one of the best punk rock drummers of the late 1970s and early '80s; critic Greg Prato writes, "producer
Sandy Pearlman dubbed Headon 'The Human
Drum Machine,' due to his impeccable timing and skills."
Early life
A drummer from his childhood, Headon was a
jazz fan, citing
Billy Cobham as a strong influence. Headon played with a group that opened for American R&B legends
The Temptations,
The Clash
Before meeting Headon, the Clash went through several drummers, including
Terry Chimes, who recorded on the
UK version of the band's
self-titled debut. Headon -- something of a '
journeyman' drummer -- originally planned to have only a brief stay with the band, to establish a reputation and then move on. After this album Headon went to jail on drug supplying charges.
Headon has spent time in the Priory Psychiatric Hospital in
North London to deal with his addiction; the hospital has an internationally renowned Addiction Treatment Program drug clinic as part of its structure.
Post-addiction work
Headon was interviewed extensively for the
rockumentary Westway to the World. During the movie, he frankly apologized about his addiction and speculated that had he not been kicked out, the band might have lasted longer and might possibly still be together. Given the chance to repeat the experience, however, he states that he's no regrets and would do it all again, "because that's the kind of person he is".
}}
Headon also lamented the fact that the classic 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.
In a February 2008 newspaper article Headon revealed that in 2003 he started to experience serious back pain, a frequent complaint of aging rock drummers. Diagnosed with
hyperkyphosis - 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.
Drumming style
As drummer, Headon often employed a distinctive style which emphasized a simple
bass-
snare up-
down beat, accentuated with closed
Hi-hat flourishes. Such a method can be found in the songs "
Clampdown", "
Train in Vain", and "
Lost in the Supermarket". His drumming on "
Train in Vain" has been characterized as one of the most important and distinctive beats in rock music. Writes
Scott Kenemore, "[h]is contribution to the music was tremendous, and his drumming remains an undiscovered treasure for too many."
Studio albums
EPs
| Year |
Title
|
Record Label |
Notes |
| 1985 |
Leave It To Luck / East Versus West / Got To Get Out of This Heat S.O.S / Casablanca
|
|
|
Singles
| Year |
Title |
Album
|
Record Label |
Notes |
| 1985 |
"Drumming Man / Hope For Donna" |
Waking Up
|
|
7" vinyl |
| 1985 |
"Drumming Man / Ducaine Road (Special 12" Mix) / Hope For Donna / Drumming Man (7")" |
Waking Up
|
|
12" vinyl |
| 1985 |
"Leave It To Luck / Casablanca" |
Waking Up
|
|
|
| 1985 |
"Leave It To Luck (Double Pack)" |
Waking Up
|
Mercury MERD 201 |
|
| 1986 |
"I'll Give You Everything / You're So Cheeky" |
Waking Up
|
|
|
| 1986 |
"I'll Give You Everything (Full-Length Version) / When You're Down / Got To Get Out of This Heat (Extended Mix Version) (CAN)" |
Waking Up
|
|
|
| 1986 |
"I'll Give You Everything (7" version) / I'll Give You Everything (Dub Ruj) / I'll Give You Everything (Douce Ruj) / You're So Cheeky" |
Waking Up
|
|
12" vinyl |
Further Information
Get more info on 'Topper Headon'.
|
External Link Exchanges
Do you know how hard it is to get a link from a large encyclopaedia? Well we're different and will prove it. To get a link from us just add the following HTML to your site on a relevant page:
<a href="http://topper_headon.totallyexplained.com">Topper Headon Totally Explained</a>
Then simply click through this link from your web page. Our crawlers will verify your link, extract the title of your web page and instantly add a link back to it. If you like you can remove the words Totally Explained and embed the link in article text.
As long as your link remains in place, we'll keep our link to you right here. Please play fair - our crawlers are watching. Your site must be closely related to this one's topic. Any kind of spamming, dubious practises or removing the link will result in your link from us being dropped and, potentially, your whole site being banned. |
