I love Topper, his drumming at the end was fantastic. Incidentally, i highly recommend an unreleased Clash track called 'Walk Evil Talk' that was on Mick's initial mix of Combat Rock (called Rat Patrol From Fort Bragg at the time). It just features Topper and Mick on piano, the drumming is really amazing. Also there is Topper's solo album from the 80s, Waking Up. Both can be found on torrent sites. Enjoy :D
Its not really about who's the best it's more about personal style and standing out with your own trademark sound! Topper has a great style all of his own as he was never taught he learned by ear which personally i think is better because you develop a unique style. We are all influenced in some part by other musicians and mine were Topper & Copeland, although i grew up with the who, the clash, due to my dad, the police were the 1st band i really got into but the clash in my opinion were and still are the 'Greatest' band ever! Peace to you Topper, Respect that you lived it and your still here! Speaks volumes about your character!!!! Ka----Boooom!!! :-)
He was underrated because of the genre(s) his band played. Not a lot of people who listen to punk pay much attention to the drumming (and rightfully so, in many cases). Topper was a different story though, a truly amazing drummer, one of my favourites of all times.
Great Nick! Thanks for this video!! It's a big pleasure to see Topper drumming again! You are great, thanks to be back Nick! Long life to you and the surviving mates of The Clash!!
Topper was one of my first drum hero's ! Very underated ! In my opinion anyway. I learned to swing, play funk grooves raggae,and ska grooves, punk , rock . He introduced me to many musical styles ! He's still an inspiration ! I am in recovery for my alcoholism ,and have been clean , one day at a time for a little over 4 years. Glad your back TOPPER , look forward to more great drumming! You're the drummin' man...
He was really an ACE. Too underrated. Jazzy class style. He's still my favorite. Topper, play it again, please. Gonna go to London, is there any place where he does play ?
Never seen Topper play that kind of stuff before, pretty technical. Actually made me laugh, because he looks and sounds so calm and nonchelent, but he's playing some high end bits and peices here. Hope he still plays, havn't seen much from him recently.
someone mentioned 'walk evil talk' from 'rat patrol from fort bragg', also listen to 'look here' from 'sandanista', the speed of topper's ghost notes on the snare are amazing, these two songs really highlight his jazz chops
Is it really true that he didnt play drums for 26 years ? I mean this is ridiculous. "The Clash" couldn't get so enormously sucessfull without Topper. "The Clash" is all about humanity, solidarity, friendship, what else???? What did the other three guys do, or the management? We dont need no fucking junkie, but our booze and coke and all the other stuff is O.K? It' s a shame .............I feel sorry but its also hopeless to tell a heroin addict to "Just say No".....They were also pretty young......Great that he survivied.....
From what I've read the band did try to help behind the scenes. I even heard that Pete Townsend of the Who and friend of the band paid for Topper to get top of the line rehab but he just wasn't ready. You're right that it's amazing the journey this man took. If you watch the Don Lett's Clash documentary from the 1990s, Westway to the World, he looked very ill and has even been on record saying that if anyone should have died, it should have been him not Joe Strummer. Thanks for giving everyone hope Topper!
The other 3 members paid for Topper to have treatment to wean him off drugs at least 3 times. Pete Townshend also paid for Topper to get treatment. Sadly, by his own admittance, Topper slipped back into his old habits each time. When they finally sacked him in May 1982. He was given the opportunity to get clean and he could come back into the group. He ended up falling through a skylight trying to avoid paying his drug dealers. Topper confessed in numerous interviews, that he'd let himself down and the rest of the group, with his heroin addiction. So sad and such a waste of talent. Too much, too young as a former support group once sang.
Not impressed with the lady interviewing him. Whenever the BBC opens their mouths about music these days they always seem to embarrass themselves. Great to see Topper drumming again though.
Thats not really correct, it depends what punk you listen to. A lot of good punk drumming is amazing, fast tempo's and quality fills, better than your avaerage rock drumming.
Видеоклипы
He absolutely nailed it at the end. Just imagine the music The Clash would be making if they stayed together.
The same crap they were making the last couple of years prior to their breakup.The Clash had lost it
Topper Headon, one of the greatest drummers in the business.
I love Topper, his drumming at the end was fantastic. Incidentally, i highly recommend an unreleased Clash track called 'Walk Evil Talk' that was on Mick's initial mix of Combat Rock (called Rat Patrol From Fort Bragg at the time). It just features Topper and Mick on piano, the drumming is really amazing. Also there is Topper's solo album from the 80s, Waking Up. Both can be found on torrent sites. Enjoy :D
Its not really about who's the best it's more about personal style and standing out with your own trademark sound!
Topper has a great style all of his own as he was never taught he learned by ear which personally i think is better because you develop a unique style.
We are all influenced in some part by other musicians and mine were Topper & Copeland, although i grew up with the who, the clash, due to my dad, the police were the 1st band i really got into but the clash in my opinion were and still are the 'Greatest' band ever!
Peace to you Topper, Respect that you lived it and your still here! Speaks volumes about your character!!!! Ka----Boooom!!!
:-)
He was underrated because of the genre(s) his band played. Not a lot of people who listen to punk pay much attention to the drumming (and rightfully so, in many cases). Topper was a different story though, a truly amazing drummer, one of my favourites of all times.
No idea he stopped for that long! Glad he picked it up again! Great drummer
Welcome back, Topper. Looking and sounding very good there.
Great to see Topper in good shape and drumming!
Great Nick! Thanks for this video!!
It's a big pleasure to see Topper drumming again! You are great, thanks to be back Nick! Long life to you and the surviving mates of The Clash!!
Topper was one of my first drum hero's ! Very underated ! In my opinion anyway. I learned to swing, play funk grooves raggae,and ska grooves, punk , rock . He introduced me to many musical styles ! He's still an inspiration ! I am in recovery for my alcoholism ,and have been clean , one day at a time for a little over 4 years. Glad your back TOPPER , look forward to more great drumming! You're the drummin' man...
Nice to see Topper doing good!!!!
He's still got it!
The Clash were the reason why I decided to pick up an instrument, so it was great to see this!
He was really an ACE. Too underrated. Jazzy class style. He's still my favorite. Topper, play it again, please. Gonna go to London, is there any place where he does play ?
Fantastic drummer
it is good to see topper playing again...best of the bunch...plays good guitar as well..heads up topper..
the best drummer of punk rock and my favorite forever
He have sad more things in this video than during all the years spent with the Clash!!!
GREAT TOPPER, I LOVE YOU!!!!
Never seen Topper play that kind of stuff before, pretty technical. Actually made me laugh, because he looks and sounds so calm and nonchelent, but he's playing some high end bits and peices here. Hope he still plays, havn't seen much from him recently.
Happy Birthday Topper!
ps: God Bless you Nick (Topper) ! :D
he's the best punk drummer that has ever existed and ever will exist amazing I love Topper!
Cool Topper. Good to see you on the up.
Absolutely the most under-rated drummer of our time.
Remember him well 1977 Apollo Glasgow
‘To some people drumming is just a lot of noisy banging’ in front of the best drummer of his generation, as he plays the beat from Tommy Gun.
me too, what a fucking legendary player
big up topps..unsung hero of the clash1
Dont forget Nicky laid down Rock the casbah almost single handedly. As Joe said " thant was the genius that was Topper Headon" Rock on Topper.
nice too see him drumming again
Such a shame that Topper was off the radar for 26 years!! He was and is one of my favorite all-time drummers.
someone mentioned 'walk evil talk' from 'rat patrol from fort bragg', also listen to 'look here' from 'sandanista', the speed of topper's ghost notes on the snare are amazing, these two songs really highlight his jazz chops
Ladies and gentlemen Topper Headon's still got it!
Whoah Topper-
Go easy,
stay (drug) free!
The super close up on Topper's face beginning at 1:07 sort of creeped me out. But he's still mind blowingly awesome!
he looks alot better then he did in the dvd westway to the world.
Oh.. he's drumming to Tommy Gun in this video! One of my favorites! Awesome talent..
WOW
inspired me to learn drums
one of the five best drummers in the world
but he'll always be no. 1 to me ; )
SIIIIIIIIIIIIII. Topper Headon sei il più grande....
The Clash was never the same once he was dismissed.
useful information about the physical psychological advantages of playing a music instrument. i agree totally.
What a fuckin' legend
You see people? Even Topper knows Keith Moon was one of the best ever. Some of Topper's drumming is just amazing. Glad he is recognized for it.
@stpauligooner completely agree- i still play sandinista weekly for the past 20 odd years
topper is the greatest !!
I agree with that 100 percent.
Sempre nel mio cuore
Seems Topper hasn't slacked at all. Well done, Topper!
Best Drummer
Ce mec est super cool!!Un des plus grand batteurs qui c'est bonifier avec le temps!!!
theres a version of The Call Up Live....i couldnt believe my hears on his drumming. YOU GUYS GOTTA HEAR IT!
10 years late but link?
Recorded or video?
Its audio live at bond's the thumbnail is a b/w image of Joe, and yes it fucking rocks.
I know him. he lives in Dover.
Ivan meete GI Joe, what a great track
Role Models, maybe Phil Collins, Sandy Nelson and Gene Krupa, Drums and Bass are backbone of Music..Just..a..Thought...
Does anyone know what kit he is using and what sizes the toms are?
0.53 Its so great to see topper playing tommy gun, fuck the bbc and not letting us hear it!
@BS3shocker Do It kiddo
Bill Stevenson is the best drummer in punk rock . Even topper says so
Is it really true that he didnt play drums for 26 years ? I mean this is ridiculous. "The Clash" couldn't get so enormously sucessfull without Topper. "The Clash" is all about humanity, solidarity, friendship, what else???? What did the other three guys do, or the management? We dont need no fucking junkie, but our booze and coke and all the other stuff is O.K? It' s a shame .............I feel sorry but its also hopeless to tell a heroin addict to "Just say No".....They were also pretty young......Great that he survivied.....
From what I've read the band did try to help behind the scenes. I even heard that Pete Townsend of the Who and friend of the band paid for Topper to get top of the line rehab but he just wasn't ready. You're right that it's amazing the journey this man took. If you watch the Don Lett's Clash documentary from the 1990s, Westway to the World, he looked very ill and has even been on record saying that if anyone should have died, it should have been him not Joe Strummer. Thanks for giving everyone hope Topper!
The other 3 members paid for Topper to have treatment to wean him off drugs at least 3 times. Pete Townshend also paid for Topper to get treatment. Sadly, by his own admittance, Topper slipped back into his old habits each time. When they finally sacked him in May 1982. He was given the opportunity to get clean and he could come back into the group. He ended up falling through a skylight trying to avoid paying his drug dealers. Topper confessed in numerous interviews, that he'd let himself down and the rest of the group, with his heroin addiction. So sad and such a waste of talent. Too much, too young as a former support group once sang.
does someone know email or address of topper headon?
The guy does it all. curse you, heroin!
Any muso knows nick was too good for that band.
Not impressed with the lady interviewing him. Whenever the BBC opens their mouths about music these days they always seem to embarrass themselves. Great to see Topper drumming again though.
Thats not really correct, it depends what punk you listen to. A lot of good punk drumming is amazing, fast tempo's and quality fills, better than your avaerage rock drumming.
this isnt a crack on his playing now, but he plays like a white guy, or at least in that clip. i kno im a racist,