20 Facts About Topper Headon

Nicholas Bowen "Topper" Headon was born on 30 May 1955 and is an English drummer and multi-instrumentalist, best known as the drummer of punk rock band the Clash.

Topper Headon joined the Clash in 1977 and became famed for his drumming skills.

Topper Headon received his nickname owing to his resemblance to Mickey the Monkey from the Topper comic.

Topper Headon started playing drums at an early age and was a jazz fan, citing Billy Cobham as a strong influence.

Topper Headon appeared with them for a year and a half, and they supported major acts such as Supertramp.

Originally Topper Headon joined the Clash in 1977 with the intention of establishing a reputation as a drummer before moving on to other projects, but he soon realised their full potential and remained with them for four-and-a-half years.

Topper Headon appeared on Super Black Market Clash, which included B-sides from the band's single releases.

Topper Headon 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.

Topper Headon subsequently focused on recording a solo album, Waking Up, which featured Mick Gallagher, Bobby Tench and Jimmy Helms.

Topper Headon released a cover version of the Gene Krupa instrumental "Drumming Man" as a single, which featured Headon's "DuKane Road" on the B-side.

Topper Headon was extensively interviewed for the Joe Strummer: The Future Is Unwritten documentary film about the late Clash frontman, which was released in 2007.

Topper Headon related his experiences during this period, how he became addicted to heroin and how there were problems before his dismissal.

Topper Headon stated that seeing the video of "Rock the Casbah" with "someone else in my place playing my song" caused him to fall in even greater depression and heavier drug addiction.

Topper Headon joined the band on stage during the Clash's "Train in Vain ".

An encore followed with Topper Headon playing drums on "Should I Stay or Should I Go".

At some point in the 1980s, Topper Headon contracted Hepatitis C, which, along with his alcohol intake, led to severe liver problems.

Topper Headon successfully underwent interferon treatment for his hepatitis in 2007 and became a spokesman for the Hepatitis C Trust.

In 2012 Topper Headon was interviewed by fellow drummer Spike Webb, sharing stories from his years drumming for The Clash and his experience writing 'Rock The Casbah'.

Topper Headon's drumming on "Train in Vain" has been characterised as one of the most important and distinctive beats in rock music.

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