Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. Rob Harper is a British musician noted for being an early drummer for The Clash from December 1976-January 1977. 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.