Topper Headon (The Clash) - Another Interview with Spike

Spike has another chat with old friend Topper Headon (The Clash) to hear what he's been up to since their last interview and swap musical stories!
ORIGINAL TOPPER INTERVIEW: • Topper Headon (The Cla...
We also took the time to fire some fan questions at Topper! Check out that video here: • Topper Headon (The Cla...
REINTRODUCTION: • Spike Reintroduces Mad...
ORIGINAL INTRO: • Spike Webb introduces ...
MORE VIDEOS: • MBD: The Drummers' Tales
SUBSCRIBE: kzbin.info...
Don't forget that Spike's book 'Mad, Bad and Dangerous - The Book of Drummers' Tales' is in stores now, and can be purchased from online retailers as either a paperback or for kindle. It includes stories from over 40 famous drummers including Topper Headon (The Clash), Nick Mason (Pink Floyd), Nigel Glocklier (Saxon), Rick Buckler (The Jam) and many more!
VIDEO CREDITS
Director/Editor: George Day
Producers: George Day / Spike Webb
Associate Producer: Jerome Marcus / Arron West
Special Thanks: We Were Here Creations
Produced by DMLK Video
www.dmlk.co.uk
MUSIC
Breakdown - Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
creativecommons.org/licenses/b...

[@dirtydave2691]

"Clampdown" is a great example of Topper's drumming. It's an ass kicker of a song to play.

[@tonym999music]

I love Topper, His work on London Calling was amazing....

[@OA-zis]

+ And Topper's drumming on Give 'Em Enough Rope, Sandinista! and Combat Rock were amazing too! ;-)

[@Vinseneb]

No-one else could possibly have been the drummer for the Clash ;) Topper was streets ahead of most of the Punk "bangers" at the time and he didn't have to pretend he was working class unlike some.

[@rock90753]

Topper was the engine train in London calling!

[@strumbolli]

My favourite drummer, nobody can keep time with the style and panache of Topper.

[@jamesnolan5548]

strumbolli ..not forgetting Jet Black from The Stranglers..

[@bendawn-cross5622]

When I first heard Train in Vain, I thought to myself, 'now that's drumming.' Gave rock a jazzy feel that I don't think had really been done quite the same way before. So underrated, he deserves more kudos.

[@spikewebb8783]

+Ben Dawn-Cross Thanks for posting - yes he's a great player - good guy as well!

[@thomasandersen6719]

Topper has always been a very decent chap and very interesting to listen to. I often listen to London Calling and Sandinista and his contrubution is amazing. He can play ANY style, punk, rock' and roll, reggae, jazz, motown, funk..His playing on Straight to hell is just superb..Brilliant drummer and I really hope he is well these days

[@spikewebb8783]

Thomas Andersen hey thanks for posting - yes he's a great player!

[@Sweetfan78]

Great interview. Topper looking healthy & sounding good

[@rascalitorosso776]

I still listen to The Clash regularly, and Topper's drumming is off-the-scale quality, no joke. My dad was a drummer and in my head I can still hear dad say 'this guy is good', which in my dad's parlance was compliment indeed. Coincidentally (though not actually!), Gene Crouper and Buddy Rich were among dad's favs too. And yes, he does seem such a nice bloke.

[@Formula-602]

Krupa*

[@sheikhyaboooty]

For a good few years Topper was pretty much without peer in the world of rock n roll.

[@jimmygray4072]

Topper Joe Mick and paul .......... the only band that ever mattered!

[@wuckle]

Topper was and still is, such an inspiration. Brilliant drummer!! Such a great groove and feel - and tight as F@#$. Love these interviews, could listen to them all day.

[@spikewebb8783]

Yes he's a true inspiration - glad you like the interviews!

[@Clash_CT_Rocker69]

The Clash is equally important and influential in music and also in determinating the way of life. They put forward a philosophy of life which had and still have an influence on large number of people in a sense that you have not to be affraid to stand up and fight for your own and other people's rights, keep your friendships on truth and mutual respect and what each of us can do “..to make the world a less miserable place than it is.." as Joe Strummer said in number occasions. To me, Topper was one of the biggest and strongest drumming influence since I started playing drums im my teenage years. And still is, because he's way of drumming, especially he's studio work, is legendary and timeless. One of four men who strongly impacted on my life. To all The Clash fans, greetings from Croatia...

[@realityrealestate5755]

Different publications have listed him as in the top 10 drummers in the world.

[@Formula-602]

I have never seen 1 article ever..saying he was in top 10!

[@tacman1974]

What a great drummer and such a nice guy. I'm very happy he is well!!!

[@thelandofsun]

Topper is great - and wonderful to hear his thoughts on drumming and the Clash - he’s a class act. Thank God he got sober and can enjoy his life and his memories. Those guys were my childhood heroes. Topper was the backbone- there’s no way they could have delved so deeply and effortlessly into so many styles and genres so artfully without Topper’s absolute competence behind the kit. If you watch some of their live performances it’s as if Topper is the chariot driver, pushing the band forward and keeping them just on the edge. He’s a real artist and I am grateful for this video.

[@hereticNick]

Such a refreshing interview. Big respect for the Spike's music knowledge and his ability to make an interview feel more like a conversation.

[@spikewebb8783]

Thank you - glad you enjoyed the interview!

[@danschafer6399]

Great interview with Topper; there's not that many of them (especially the more in depth ones like this one) out there so this was a bit of a treat. I really like the interviewer aswell.

[@darrenlee1938]

LEGEND! glad to see him in rude health

[@deerhunter2218]

We love you Topper, don't ever forget that mate

[@vicshere99]

Saw them first time at Glasgow Apollo, when the bouncers beat them up in the lane. Unforgettable night. The Clash early on were sensational live, most exciting thing I'd ever seen.

[@spikewebb8783]

+Craig Campbell Hey thanks for posting - hope you liked the interview!

[@legacyouternational305]

@@spikewebb8783 kzbin.info/www/bejne/fYGTc56go693jdE

[@davecooper4207]

I love this guy!

[@beetleything1864]

Great interview. Names a lot of jazz drummers. Topper 🙏🏻

[@victoroladuja2416]

So basically Topper Headon was like The Charlie Watts of Punk Rock. Charlie started off as a jazz drummer too before venturing into R&B/ Rock music with The Stones.

[@vadermasktruth]

A great guy, I'm glad he's sober now.

[@stefanhamilton8713]

Great drummer, great musician. So glad he’s healthy and sober now. Much love for Topper!

[@RETRONuts]

My partner knew him in 1989,he was her neighbor,he was pretty bad then,shes glad he is doing well now.

[@kemi3883]

Details? What exactly did he do?

[@mod6472]

drugs

[@coolconfuzer]

He WAS The Clash.

[@theunwantedcritic]

The soul of the band!!

[@andysandel9325]

Topper is still my favourite to this day regardless of his addiction he's a classic top drummer Topper is The Clash without Topper The Clash lost it's inquisitive spark unique sound Topper was unique special throughout ⭐⭐🥁⭐⭐

[@divergencefilms]

A rewarding interview - thanks for this.

[@davebbarber7050]

1 of the best most versatile drummers ever he gave the band a core and helped inspire others top man glad he has survived many hav'nt true legend.

[@fregwich]

Great interview. Thanks!

[@spikewebb8783]

+Palmer Eldritch You're welcome - glad you liked it!

[@beefheart1410]

The best drummers are those whereby the band's music would never have been the same without them. I.e: people who play drums as musicians as opposed to just beat keepers. Topper had that in aces. Not overly mad on The Police but, Stewart Copeland had that too. So did Ringo (in a different way of course) and, (again, in a different way again) did Keith Moon and John Bonham. Give me Topper over all of them though! If you want a master class in musical drumming listen to the Sandanista album in particular but also London Calling and Combat Rock. Also, for great rock drumming: Give 'em Enough Rope. Brilliant.

[@CardiffBoy1927]

I agree. The Clash like The Who were not the same band when their respective drummers were no longer resident. Topper's style is tight, powerful and creative.

[@strumbolli]

He is incredible, would wipe the floor with a lot of the rock "greats". The drumming on every single track on London Calling makes the album what it is.

[@terrythekittie]

The drummer is the most important musician in any group. The Beatles would have probably floundered if they stayed with poor old Pete Best, they needed Ringo as that foundation. As for the Clash, how lucky were they to have the 'human drum machine' (as someone christened 'Topper') as their foundation? A master and a legend!

[@oiyabastard7275]

Topper was the drummer for Pat Travers in the 70s also Iron Maiden drummer Nicko mcbrain was drummer for Pat Travers at 70s you should listen 1970s Pat Travers

[@RichardSmith-ew3xz]

The Percussion on London Calling is superb, all hail Topper

[@cob1965]

Yeah Topper, the engine room....Brilliant!!!

[@rock90753]

Yup exactly!

[@JoeyBrunoMusicArchives]

what an awesome person and musician the TRUE heart of the Clash!!

[@stefanhamilton8713]

Such a great drummer, he's incredible how he defines the sections of the songs, fantastic dynamics and brilliant powerful energy. Not an easy job playing behind three Eddie Cochrans.

[@stevengray2784]

Great interview

[@PeterPumpkinhead1]

Another great interview. Watched the Rick Buckler one the other day. Probably two of my favourite drummers.

[@cosmicdrifter287]

topper is topper.

[@anoshya]

Very decent guy..I met him recently and so glad he quit what was killing him..also,great drummer

[@calboy64]

Topper ,the best drummer in the world,, TOTALLY

[@zzzzzz5353]

Blessings to Topper Headon and The Clash God bless every1 rock forever Golden Thank you clash for the great music Overpowered By For Forever a fan of The Clash

[@koont666]

Fulham 1982 second hand music shop , Toppers drum kit just came in , the proprietor Told us the story of Toppers heroin mishap ,nice one top drummer pardon the pun 🍀🇬🇧👍🏼

[@jackierobinson5766]

Topper Headon is the greatest drummer in the world, Extremely underrated!

[@paulgrahamedwardspencer5161]

Jackie robinson sure is

[@jam1ga]

Loved that

[@themaddaddy9515]

great interview.....

[@spikewebb8783]

the mad daddy Thanks - glad you enjoyed it!

[@evaluacionmonitoreo3484]

Un enorme baterista! Te admiro Topper.

[@GOOSEMON2007]

Topper was so instrumental to "The Clash" not only sound but critical to the songs keeping "time".

[@onlyjoetee]

Cool guy great drummer

[@thewoodentops.]

loved that :)

[@spikewebb8783]

Thanks - glad you enjoyed it!

[@marcgordon3239]

They Call Alan Myers Of Devo The Human Metronome ?!? But Topper Has Him Beat By A Mile !!!

[@jamesnolan5548]

My two fav drummers, Topper Headon and Jet Black from The Stranglers

[@VictorRochaGaming]

Topper looking good. I saw The Clash at the US Festival. Mick's last gig. The band was phenomenal but, you know, Topper wasn't there. That took some of the shine off.

[@rudybolo]

that italian gig was in Bologna , i was there !!

[@Marleystrummer]

Love Topper! The only drummer that matters

[@Alvaro_Verna]

my hero

[@OA-zis]

[@strangedean]

Topper, best drummer in the world in the greatest band in the world.

[@Lieu3C4]

Recent research does suggest, as is suggested here.

[@RustyEgan]

Hey Topper I hope my memory serves me well but I did give you Bernie Rhodes phone Number and intro you to the band as I was obviously not going to get the gig after 3 months of rehearsals and Glen Matlock intimating he may need a drummer for Rich Kids. You were THE perfect choice and did Clash well. Great to see you looking good.

[@MrSchmolko]

so basially, you are responsable for the clash coming into the world. who knows, with another drummer....but wasnt there terry chimes before topp?

[@ryantimony6669]

Weren't you in The Rich Kids? Cool group.

[@youjoker9647]

What a massive ego you have Rusty

[@RustyEgan]

Terry Chimes was there and they were auditioning drummers. I was called back every day but not used when a gig came up. I went with them to the gigs. My ego is massive for telling you i introduced Topper. For your information i have remained friends with Mick Jones 40 years.

[@RustyEgan]

@@youjoker9647 yes mate and it gets bigger and bigger because doing more and more helps it to grow. So keep following or like most retire into oblivion

[@jonnylivesley315]

FUCKING THANK YOU BOYS!

[@spikewebb8783]

You're welcome!

[@617dcollins]

Genius

[@markdennison6345]

He's a decent guy!

[@beefheart1410]

Who cares about Terry Chimes in comparison to Topper?

[@vosphalt]

Did this anthology ever get released? Haven't been able to find it...great interview!

[@themusicfella]

Topper The Human Drum Machine

[@stuadam7563]

1 of the best or even the best :-D

[@mozdickson]

an honest interviewee - and a dead set legend. On me bike, biking home, skinhead- London Calling under me arm - Winter 1980. Fanks Topper!

[@spikewebb8783]

Hey glad you enjoyed it!

[@zachelmquist4932]

Terry Williams from Dire Straits is an amazing drummer and of course Buddy Rich.

[@Johnsmith-yf7ke]

Topper headon and terry chimes were Both amazing drummers but topper was the best!

[@vacuumelite2065]

Magic, Guys. Pissing myself at the end. 😁

[@spikewebb8783]

Glad you liked it - for some reason I couldn't pronounce Damon Albarn's surname - no idea why - another thankyou to him for the use of the his studio!

[@MassimoGuglielmin]

ancora vivo...

[@fasthracing]

then drum machine

[@andrewwilson711]

Best Drummer to come out of punk

[@jazztheglass6139]

Budgie out the banshees

[@revol148]

Stan Laurel was the drummer in the Clash? - I never knew that!

[@stewajf]

Topper and the Tosser.

[@Paraguaydiamond]

and then he shot it all up his arm.

[@PeterPumpkinhead1]

....sorry, Terry Chambers (of XTC) another favourite. Now there would be a good interview for you Spike. As far as I know he could still be in Australia

[@punkisinthedetails1470]

TAPPER XD

[@RustyEgan]

Hey why have you not contacted me then ? I never knew this existed till i was tagged

[@spikewebb8783]

We stopped doing them for a while - back on it again soon!

[@dave7577]

What do you call somebody that hangs around with musicians? ... A drummer ..

[@gunofapreacherman1340]

Dave Rainbow What do you call musicians without a great drummer? Unemployed. 😬

[@AlexanderLaurence]

There is a special place in hell for whoever is responsible for CUT THE CRAP!

[@hyena131]

Who is the peter pan interviewer called 'spike?' Heaven help us...

[@dave7577]

Clash probably the greatest rock and roll band in human history. So good Joe Strummer had to sack them all .. eventually sacking himself .. lol (But it was good while it lasted)

[@COLEEN322]

Wow, Alan Titchmarsh has let himself go hasn't he?

[@rascalitorosso776]

Spike, I enjoyed hearing Topper say he'd enjoyed working again with Mick and Paul. And hearing that, I can't stop thinking.... You know what I'm thinking. Will you ask him for me?

[@spikewebb8783]

Yes I know what you're thinking - I reckon the absence of Joe might be too big a space to fill - but I'm sure he won't mind me asking.

[@rascalitorosso776]

Spike Webb Yeah, no one is going to fill Joe's boots! But maybe someone can stand at the front and sing nevertheless... someone like Mick?

[@markyncole]

Spike Webb ask Mick,Paul and Topper to do Clash songs in a show for a CD/DVD with a bunch of different types of singers influenced by Joe (like Dave Ghrol or Biily Joe Armstrong just off the top of my head) as a tribute to Joe and celebrate the band's history. Do it at The Royal Albert Hall or another famous venue in England. It would be a nice way to put a positive closure to the band. How cool and huge would that be?

[@spikewebb8783]

markyncole Good idea! Don't know if they'd go for it - I'll mention your comment when I next speak to Topper!

[@rascalitorosso776]

Spike Webb Exciting conversation!

[@jollyjarvis1]

Mullet alert!!!!!

[@legacyouternational305]

NON VIOLENT: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fYGTc56go693jdE

[@wyverntheterrible]

Only Clash member who doesn't come across as a tosser.

[@drumzRfun1]

This interviewer interrupts too much..

[@TheThaggs]

Not to be judgemental, but why do most British music media/critic types have bad teeth, hair and complexion. Is it the failure of the National Health Service?