The Clash drummer shifts career after leaving rockstar life – Daily Express
The former drummer of the iconic British punk rock band, The Clash, Terry Chimes, made a significant career change when he decided to pursue chiropractic medicine after leaving the rockstar lifestyle behind in 1983. Chimes shared his experiences on ‘The Chris Moyles Show’ on Radio X, shedding light on his journey from being a drummer to establishing a successful chiropractic practice in 1994. Known for their hit songs like “Should I Stay or Should I Go” and “London Calling,” The Clash was a prominent figure in the punk rock scene during their time.
Apart from his tenure with The Clash, Chimes also played with other notable bands, including Black Sabbath, Generation X, Billy Idol, and Hanoi Rocks. Chimes expressed his initial interest in the medical field, mentioning his admiration for health and disease, and even considering pursuing medicine by interviewing at medical schools. However, he realized that the music industry held a certain allure for him after looking at bands like the Rolling Stones and decided to embark on a musical journey with The Clash members, Joe Strummer, Paul Simonon, and Keith Levene.
Chimes’ association with The Clash spanned over several years, with intermittent periods of playing with the band from 1976 to 1983. Despite his successful music career, Chimes decided to part ways with the band in 1983, citing exhaustion from the demands of the music industry. Reflecting on his decision, Chimes admitted that the music business was filled with eccentric personalities, and he felt like the only normal person amidst the chaos.
The turning point in Chimes’ career trajectory occurred when he experienced a shoulder injury during a bowling stint with Black Sabbath, which led him to seek chiropractic treatment. Impressed by the results of the chiropractic session, Chimes felt compelled to explore a career in chiropractic medicine, nurturing his innate desire to help others heal. Subsequently, Chimes enrolled in a chiropractic program in Bournemouth, although his anonymity was short-lived once his identity was revealed due to the re-release of The Clash’s hit song, ‘Should I Stay or Should I Go.’
Identifying as a health-conscious individual with a holistic lifestyle, Chimes found resonance in the philosophy of chiropractic medicine, leading him to establish his chiropractic clinic in Essex in 1994. Over the years, he has provided care and seminars to patients, and his former bandmates have been known to refer patients to his clinic. In recognition of his contributions to The Clash, Chimes was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003, cementing his legacy in the music industry.