Topper Headon (The Clash) talks about 'Mad, Bad and Dangerous'

[@michaelwoodacre1186]

Nicky 'Topper' Headon, is undoubtedly, one of the best drummers of his generation: hands down, but life has a way of throwing a spanner in the works! Seeing The Clash - for the first time - at Manchester Apollo changed my life. I play in my band still. Indelible. Watching the finest R&R band implode walloped me and what transpired was even harder to take, but I'm pleased 'Topper', that he's broken the habit. I miss Joe every day but the spirit of The Clash lives on and 'Topper plays a massive part in that. How we could with a Clash right now in this world. Viva Joe Strummer & The Clash.

[@YesOkayButWhy]

Great interviewer and Nick's the best; great drummer and fella.

[@deathfromabove77]

As Joe Strummer said, once Topper had left the band , they were never the same again....Strummer always stressed how important Headon was to the Clash when he joined the band..great drummer, and a great bloke..nice to see him healthy and in good spirits..i still get teary eyed when I remember how who great The Clash really were

[@sheikhyaboooty]

It`s good to see that Topper is getting the recognition he deserves as one of the greatest drummers not only of the 70`s and early 80`s but of all time. His power, versatility, and style are up there with the best of them. Currently I think only Charlie Watts has such a range of skills.

[@georgeharrison70]

Topper Headon is an excellent drummer, the man could do ANYTHING. Jazz, funk, punk, hard rock, gospel, dance, you name it. Topper Headon is such an underrated drummer.

[@liamwalsh2467]

I remember meeting the clash after their 7 nights at the london lyceum in 1981.I had all their photos and got them autographed.Topper signed and said sorry I thought I was writing a cheque.So signed it again underneath topper headon.So I actually got his autograph twice.Seems strange in those days you could just wander upstairs and talk to the band after the gig and nobody minded.Try doing that with one direction today .I don't think you would get very far.Amazing days and an amazing band.Gave me and my friends so much joy in our youth. Love Liam x

[@aaronlanders9488]

It warms me up to see Topper healthy as an elder statesman of the best band of all time❤️

[@thomasandersen6719]

I love Topper and I hope he's well these days..brilliant drummer

[@westartfromhere7704]

Hope is dope. He is well.

[@jimmythecreep]

did not know pete helped out topper during his time of darkness...very cool.

[@gedda6262]

I met Topper after a Clash gig in Leeds in the late 70's. What a wonderful human being.

[@MadBadDangerous]

Thanks for all the kind comments on the interview everyone. For those who want more we've recently sound down with Topper again and got a second interview, and got him to answer some fan questions! Check out the channel to see!

[@Bobocanenero]

In 1979, I happened to work freelance for a local music fanzine, and got the chance of interviewing The Clash in their dressing room at the Vigorelli velodrome in Milan. We took funny pictures and spent some time together, eating cold rubber-ish pizza: we had great fun, and they were very helpful with this very young lad trying to do his homework. Topper and Joe were the real core of all that energy, to me.

[@stedontsurf44]

Been a Clash fan for years but never heard TH interviewed before. Many thanks for posting

[@MadBadDangerous]

Hey Stephen - thanks for the kind words about the book, glad you enjoyed it!

[@justme_66]

Great seeing Topper! So happy he's well and reconciled with himself. Thanks for the interview and posting. :) Glad they are still making money from all that crazy talent.... Makes me feel good they all got the recognition and money.

[@davidorocks62]

So good to see Top looking and sounding well.....Thanks for this.

[@spikewebb8783]

You're welcome - glad you enjoyed it! There are a couple more recent interviews with Topper on this channel where he tells more about life with The Clash!

[@davidorocks62]

I'll check em out. Thanks.

[@TAKETHE5TH]

Loved listenig to Topper. Great to see him looking so good ... would be fantastic to hear him play again.

[@alanjamesh.zamorano1677]

His drumming on Straight to Hell is one the most interesting rhythms I've heard in a rock group. I read somewhere that Joe Strummer was hitting a plastic bottle to accompany the beat. Sounds great, they were very inventive.

[@Clash_CT_Rocker69]

Glass bottle was wrapped in terry towel up, to beat in front of bass drum. This was the "instrument" Topper gave to Joe while others recording some support vocal parts. Whole rhythm on "Straight to Hell" was actualy, playing on with bossa-nova rhythm wich Topper played on snare drum with snare-off, after that came rims, and whole song is over-overdubed with some drum sound of snare rims, and hi-hat (mainly recorded the moments where he was opened hi-hat, just like he done on studio version of song "Armagideon time"). Cheers to all The Clash fans, and esspecialy musitian whom Topper was unavoidable part of learning and developing their drumming style..

[@nickturnbull4105]

Many thanks for this ,a great relaxing chat about drums and life and great to see Topper looking so happy and well , apologies for not knowing who Topper was talking with,you did a great job thanks 😂❤

[@katewild2194]

Really good to see Topper looking so well and happy. Last time I saw him some years ago he was in a bad way. I am not going to go into details but he was not in a good place. All credit to him for getting his life back together. I remember Topper telling me just how much money he earned with the Clash. Not going to say what that figure was but it was a lot of money. Take it from me you have no idea how bad life has been for Topper in the past. Please give him my regards an old friend.

[@spikewebb8783]

Will do!

[@skc7450]

As the vast majority of people who get caught up in heroin addiction,...especially those who are professional touring musicians...dont make it out the other side...those that do,are an inspiration,and a beacon of hope,(but very few and far between)...and that even after all those years...you CAN come out the other side,if you really WANT it.....and its highly unlikely you'll be able to do that,...without help.....but you know,for many,many years,Topper was hardcore,...being a taxi driver for as long as it took to get enough to score,on a daily basis,...so FairPlay to him for being able to turn it round like he has......would love to read his autobiography if he ever did one........

[@danmseattle975]

My goodness,he DOES look really good. He is one of my favorite drummers, along with Charlie Watts and Mick Fleetwood.

[@wk4max]

hi topper saw you at erics liverpool in1978 great to see you happy and well again ! its still hard to belive joes really gone! saw b,a,d a while back and its good to see micks still around too! so glad your drumming again ill never forget that clash gig years ago i still think of it often ,thanks for the great memorys,max. wirral..merseyside

[@ovepayne]

Topper is a VERY good drummer who can handle anything and it´s good to see him in such a good shape and spirits. I hope he is as fine nowadays and The Clash is one of the best rock bands ever and a constant inspiration!

[@evaluacionmonitoreo3484]

Te admiro Topper, gran baterista! I admire you, you're a great drummer!

[@mozdickson]

Spike, I want to finish off your question: "So, Rock the Casbah was written in the kazi?" All respect Topper! (Kids, when you see an unassuming old geezer in a blazer never assume...you just don't know what he's done!)

[@AnthonyMonaghan]

Nice interview with a genuinely nice man. Great drummer, the only drummer for the clash. Thanks.

[@WyattScott]

My favorite drummer from my favorite band, Topper rules!!!

[@emanuelveragarcia5304]

I love your covers from the clash. You are epic playing the guitar

[@wuckle]

Great to see Topper looking good and giving a great interview - This man is such an inspiration.

[@HarryJoiner]

Topper is the man. So smart and classy -- not to mention incredible on the drums.

[@brandnutopian]

Topper, never doubt your genuis. Your drumming is impeccable.

[@hankspangle3867]

You were talented and hardworking Topper! Thanks for my education and my youth.

[@ukkk1964]

Good to see you looking so healthy again Topper, thanks for the greatest years of my life and all the memories

[@No1ClashFan]

Many thanks for posting!Thanks for all the great gigs back in the day Topper....best memories ever!xxx

[@leighsaunders1004]

Great to see your getting the recognition you deserve , ive seen you play at a few gigs and your a great friendly , talented bloke , keep up the good work

[@Attanasio21]

So fantastic to see Topper looking so well!! Great interview, all the best Topper!

[@GoCotton]

Haha brilliant. Love hearing this Topper stuff, could watch one of these every few months. Such a cool guy and a great drummer, glad he's turned it around and he's got a house and money coming in still from the Clash. Toppers story is the least told out of The Clash and he has a very real way of talking about it, very open. Awesome

[@beefheart1410]

One of my fantasies would be to become reasonably successful as a musician (I am a musician currently finishing an album) and to be able to ask Topper to contribute to at least one number. I'd love to be successful enough to pay him a fortune for this to pay him back for all I got from him in my teenage years. It's such a different world now from then; very difficult to explain to young people nowadays I imagine (with all the entertainment mediums available to them) how essential bands like The Clash were to kids.

[@Bobocanenero]

I must say that I never made it to become a journalist, but I occasionally crossed paths with Joe again as a monitor engineer for the Mescaleros, years later. I still love this band with all my heart and grieve the loss of Joe. And I am really glad to see Topper back in good shape.

[@douglasnorrie5925]

Ridiculously brilliant drummer. Looking very well too ♥️

[@rafastrummer]

i luv topper, simply THE BEST!!!

[@Loshia2002]

Thank Christ Topper's doing so well these days. I nearly fainted when I saw him in Westways of the World....I couldn't believe just how horrific he looked. Honestly, if someone had come and told me that Topper'd died a month after filming his piece it wouldn've surprised me, but he didn't and bless his wee heart, he's back in the land of the living. Wonder if he still has that gangster suit with the pink shirt...

[@justme_66]

Loshia2002 agreed

[@waynedaly100]

Topper is a legend

[@bsg2112]

So good to see Nicky looking healthy and gracefully aged. Thanks for this Spike!

[@calboy64]

Topper,An amazing drummer

[@TimeMarchesOn]

Topper got drumming phycology absolutely correct.

[@candydormizzi2500]

Legend !

[@robparenzan1086]

Topper is one of the greatest drummers to ever play. The Clash was not the Clash without Topper

[@erinkwalsh]

you asked if drummers are somewhat mad, personally speaking, I think it kept my sanity growing up when I was playing. I had the blood blisters, went to Jr high with a box of bandaids to cover my blisters, at home it was gauze and electrical tape so I could keep practicing. I wish I still had my drum set!!!!!!! was the best anger management program for a misfit young girl who had left Catholic school to go to public school, back in the early 80's.

[@SuperAce5150]

God Bless ya, Nick. A top man!

[@fuktifinoy]

Glad you came out the other end Topper x

[@fasthracing]

Top top man the backbone of The Clash.

[@Warpcox]

remember talking to him in Manchester...great guy

[@burb3868]

I think people who know drummers have him in those ranks. good to see him healthy

[@SuperstarNeilC]

great little interview x

[@Heston68]

Great interview. I also enjoyed the book which I read a year or two back,

[@infocado]

I never realish how eloquent Topper is

[@TheKoss44100]

Oh this is good , gives such hope for us in a bad place, respect to pete towshend for paying for toppers recovery

[@justme_66]

kerry kat much respect to Townsend! Glad to hear they are all like a family.

[@Chevy75100]

New interview! Houray! Still a hottie :)

[@smkxodnwbwkdns8369]

Amazing drummer

[@grahambigvan]

Topper looking really well, nice to see.

[@SuperAce5150]

He has a draft written called Headon Collision

[@tidepoolbay]

Nice work.

[@Lindsay_Brunton]

totally sheikh.topper and charlie werent boombastic neil peart drummers,but what they did sounded so effortless but swung so much.god bless topper,love to have a pint with the man...

[@ElmerFishpaw]

I love The Clash and Baseball...I wonder if he'd sign a baseball for me if I get to the UK again

[@gallaghim]

Great interview(s). Been a Clash fan for a long time and Topper is one of my favourite drummers. If i may can i suggest someone to interview? Ffye Ewing, ex-drummer for Therapy?. Another of my favourite drummers, he had a great dancey, tribal style but he would batter the drums so hard. Would love to see an interview with him :). Keep up the good work.

[@spikewebb8783]

Hey thanks for your post - We'll see if we can contact Flye Ewing of Therapy! Glad you like the interviews!

[@Khultan]

It would be great if Kenny Jones and Topper were interviewed together.

[@spikewebb8783]

Yes good idea - we've started doing some multiple interviews!

[@salvadory1103]

go topper= looking healthy and younger then 10 years ago! Legend!!!

[@rabsmiff]

great stuff

[@wuckle]

btw - I've got the book and it's a great read for anyone who has been in a band - especially the drummers :)

[@jasonhicks9891]

Being a drummer is like being a goalie in a football team, thankless thank, no credit and stuck at the bank. Goalies are mad in general as are drummers!

[@mick5137]

My American version of that was the drummer as pitcher and the bassist as catcher.

[@neilb224]

A fine, fine gentleman.

[@ottodidakt3069]

Hey Topper don't forget to mention Rachid Taha when ya talk about his song heh ?

[@viktorlogi1]

Topper looks amazing considering he did Heroin for years and had Hepatitis C

[@lars-fenin]

great drummer !

[@666cliffy]

kasbah ... brilliant drumming topper ... a fan

[@GriefTourist]

really interesting this ironically he looks better than the other surviving members of the Clash the drumming on tommy gun has rarely been bettered

[@GriefTourist]

Topper should do a book

[@josephedery]

great!!

[@wk4max]

TOPPER, you look happy and healthy, it could not have happened to a nicer bloke!- bin into the same drug scene and quit 8yrs ago this xmas so i know the score on that one - great to be clean though eh ? fucking hard work though! i like your dog he's sound! good on ya lad-max, liverpool.u.k

[@strumbolli]

This fella should be up there with the likes of Moon and Bonham, I prefer his drumming to anyones

[@TheMagmagoblin]

Good ol' Topper .

[@leahflower9924]

Now Topper told the boogie man you have to let that raga drop

[@OA-zis]

Topper baby!Looking so good,Man!A clean,happy,healthy gentleman...Cool. :) I wish good health for You Dear,my favorite,dearest drummer!!!Glad to see You! And your sweetie dog is really cute!Likie You! ;)

[@camwells9726]

Responsible for giving the clash their unique sound , very different drummer to the rest of the punk bands at the time .

[@rgatoski]

About Rock the cashbah: I'm not sure by seeing this interview... did Topper play guitars on it as well? Because he doesn't mention any musical contribution by the others...

[@spikewebb8783]

hi thanks for posting - to clarify I remember Topper saying he wrote the song in the band's absence on keyboard and played drums on the track - possible laid down bass and keys as well - Joe wrote the lyrics in the loo - took about half an hour I think!

[@rgatoski]

Spike Webb Thank you, Spike - that's what I had understood: he wrote the music and played drums, bass and piano. But I'm still not sure about who played guitars.

[@spikewebb8783]

White Rabbit I think it was probably Joe but I'll try and clarify for you.

[@spikewebb8783]

Spike Webb just confirmed with Topper it was Mick Jones who put the guitar track down over Topper's drums, bass, keyboards and percussion.

[@rgatoski]

Thank you so much!!! That's really valuable information. Keep up the excellent work!

[@remi7932]

Could someone PLEASE re-release the Waking UP cd?

[@Hiajarock]

The best drummer evet

[@westartfromhere7704]

His band mates must learn from his resurrection!

[@TheKoss44100]

great comment, it made laugh, true though

[@3340steve]

A band is only as good as the drummer. I am a bass player and willingly pay the drummer a bit more. They deserve it for all the work they are doing.

[@mick5137]

A drummer who knows how to listen to and sync up with the bass are the drummers people are willing to pay.

[@aaronlanders9488]

whats in his glass? pickle juice? yerba matté?

[@calboy64]

The best FUKIN ever xxxx

[@2001lextalionis]

welcome to your house very funny

[@viktorlogi1]

No... They use their drumsticks and drum the book so they know what it says, a bit like Braille

[@jasonhicks9891]

This is riveting. Sadly they kicked topper out and his song was a 10 ten hit on TOTP!

[@sallysmith1484]

They're all rich old buggers now.

[@johnmusk7007]

Why is fury on tip toes lol he’s tall enough ain’t he

[@MrBazzabee]

I love the hairstyle and dress-sense of the interviewer he doesn't look stupid or ridiculous at all !!!

[@jakeenan]

Like FUKIFNOY said, great to see Topper out the other end. Warms the aul' cockles. Yeah, and that Spike fella looks f**king mad, the eternal 25 year old....but he's enjoying himself, good luck to him. You'll find its mostly the middle-aged, bald bastards whose bottom-drawer has long gone that slag him off. Hahaha

[@jasonhicks9891]

back not bank haha...

[@fuktifinoy]

Can drummers read?