Saturday, September 19, 2009

Mick Jones and Topper Headon of The Clash reunited

The Clash stars Mick Jones and Nicky 'Topper' Headon have recorded together for the first time in 27 years - in aid of a prisoners' charity.

The guitarist and drummer have reunited to play with Billy Bragg on a new version of their 1978 song Jail Guitar Doors in aid of Bragg's organisation of the same name which works with prisoners.



The duo last shared a recording session when they worked on The Clash's album Combat Rock, but Headon's drug use saw him ejected from the band on the eve of a tour to promote the release in 1982. He was replaced by Terry Chimes, who had played on the band's first album.

Jones was guitarist and co-frontman for punk pioneers The Clash, alongside the late Joe Strummer, but he too was kicked out the following year, leaving Strummer to soldier on for one more album Cut The Crap.

A short clip, with a remarkably healthy looking Topper Headon.


Jones and Headon were inspired to record again after seeing the work of Bragg's two-year-old initiative, which supplies musical instruments to prison inmates to aid with their rehabilitation.

Jones, who was the first person to donate money to the scheme to allow guitars to be delivered to a jail, said: "The guys were telling us how much this scheme had helped them move on from their previous lives before prison. It was really touching to think we've helped, even if it's in a small way."

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