Rob Harper
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| Rob Harper | |
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| Background information | |
| Origin | London, England |
| Genre(s) | rock, punk rock, reggae, rock and roll |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instrument(s) | Guitar, bass guitar, drums |
| Years active | 1976 – present |
| Associated acts | The Cafe Racers, The Rockettes, The Clash, The Dazzlers |
Rob Harper is a British musician noted for being an early drummer for The Clash from December 1976-January 1977.
[edit] Biography
Rob Harper started out playing guitar in a college band and when the singer invited a guitarist called Mark Knopfler to join, Rob switched to the bass so Mark could join on guitar. It was Mark Knopfler's suggestion to name the band The Cafe Racers. After College Harper went to Sussex University and at that time he was invited by Mark to play bass in the band that was to become Dire Straits. Rob declined his offer as he was concentrating on his studies at University.
During his year at Sussex University (he dropped out in Summer 1976), he played in a band called The Rockettes (as a lead guitarist) with William Broad (later to become Billy Idol) and Steve Upstone.[1]
In December 1976, Harper joined The Clash on the infamous December 1976 "Anarchy Tour" supporting the Sex Pistols. The tour is famous for local authorities cancelling many scheduled concerts due to "indecency".
After the tour, Harper quit and the band replaced him with their original drummer, Terry Chimes, who was the drummer on the Clash's first album. Harper's drumming does not appear on any studio recordings, but can be heard on a December 9, 1976 bootleg recording of the Clash playing at the Electric Circus in Manchester.
Harper was for a time the guitarist in a South London R&B band called The Marauders, a band set up by UK Subs singer Charlie Harper. The band also included the original UK Subs bassist Steve Slack who was also a member of the Dazzlers.
Harper later formed a short-lived UK Power pop band called The Dazzlers as a guitarist (he was equally proficient on guitar and bass in addition to drums). They released several singles (including Lovely Crash in 1979) and an LP produced by Tommy Ramone, although the band split up shortly before the LP was released.
[edit] Notes
- ^ The Official Billy Idol Website, billyidol.com. Retrieved on 2008-03-17.
[edit] References
- Gilbert, Pat (2005) [2004]. Passion Is a Fashion: The Real Story of The Clash (4th edition ed.). London: Aurum Press. ISBN 1845131134. OCLC 61177239.
- Gray, Marcus (2005) [1995]. The Clash: Return of the Last Gang in Town (5th revised edition ed.). London: Helter Skelter. ISBN 1905139101. OCLC 60668626.
- Green, Johnny; Garry Barker (2003) [1997]. A Riot of Our Own: Night and Day with The Clash (3rd edition ed.). London: Orion. ISBN 0752858432. OCLC 52990890.
- Gruen, Bob; Chris Salewicz (2004) [2001]. The Clash (3rd edition ed.). London: Omnibus. ISBN 1903399343. OCLC 69241279.
- Needs, Kris (2005-01-25). Joe Strummer and the Legend of the Clash. London: Plexus. ISBN 085965348X. OCLC 53155325.
- Topping, Keith (2004) [2003]. The Complete Clash (2nd edition ed.). Richmond: Reynolds & Hearn. ISBN 1903111706. OCLC 63129186.
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