In which band did Topper Headon play drums?

Topper Headon played drums in The Clash. Born Nicholas Bowen Headon, the English musician joined the influential British punk band in 1977 and became its best-known drummer.

Headon’s powerful, precise playing helped The Clash expand beyond the fast, stripped-down sound associated with early punk. He performed on major albums including Give ’Em Enough Rope, London Calling, and Sandinista!, bringing elements of reggae, funk, soul, and jazz into the group’s music.

He also co-wrote and played drums on “Rock the Casbah,” one of The Clash’s most recognizable songs. His nickname “Topper” reportedly came from his resemblance to Mickey the Monkey, a character associated with the British comic Topper.

A common mix-up is confusing Headon with Terry Chimes, the band’s original drummer. Chimes played with The Clash during several early and later periods, while Headon’s main tenure ran from 1977 until 1982. Headon was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with The Clash in 2003.