Stewart Copeland: Where The Gods Live | Reverb Feature

Read more on Stewart Copeland here: bit.ly/3v1NWBD
We had the opportunity to visit legendary composer and musician Stewart Copeland at Sacred Grove Studios. Our conversation began discussing his work as a drummer (for which he's internationally known due to his work in The Police), but soon branched out to discuss his background in jazz, his adventures (and misadventures) uncovering rhythmic mysteries in Africa, and his work as a composer for film and ballet. All along the way, Stewart displays the instruments he has collected over the years. We know that you'll be enthralled on your journey into Stewart Copeland's world...where the Gods live.

[@MM-vs2et]

Coping with Copeland : Netflix Original, make it happen

[@ThvonS]

Brilliant idea :)

[@ST-xg3gy]

Ha ha! Perfect title! Hasn't changed one bit. The empathy I have for Sting now is very real.

[@bubz75]

Excellent Title 🤘

[@CopeLandSpyroMusic]

Agreed.

[@_6079SMITH]

🤣🤣🤣

[@EarthQuakerDevices]

Well that's just about the best thing I've ever seen on the internet.

[@hugolafhugolaf]

Well, the other day I saw a girl take three dongs in the butt. That was something else. But I see your point.

[@produccionesabuela8533]

@@hugolafhugolaf You just made my day with that comment xDDDD

[@toddboepple]

"Cool thing about fretless is you can hit a note...and then renegotiate." Classic Copeland.

[@JamesDavisakaRemguy]

Agreed. I will never forget that line. Golden.

[@the_original_Bilb_Ono]

Divine powah

[@CanyonWanderer]

also: casually putting the cello on your knee like a bass guitar, requires class to pull that off!

[@cabbycabby1770]

So, he just went to Africa to piss off lions with drums? I love this man.

[@stevans]

hahahahaha!

[@baltojo]

He played with some accomplished African musicians and they made a really cool album along with a tour of small venues around the late 80's. I saw them at the opera house in Wilmington, De., and it was incredible.

[@chrisfaust64]

No kidding!!! Who the hell does that?!?! Friggin hilarious

[@paradiddle16]

@@chrisfaust64 The entire video of the rhythmatist is really funny. Definitely worth a watch. I still have the vynil which I bought brand new in store.

[@davidstoneback6159]

I could watch Stewart Copeland talk for days without getting bored. One of the most interesting humans on the planet.

[@futureoutfit]

yeah he's awesome- straight forward & down to earth

[@drewper73]

without a doubt.

[@vidvoodoo]

a quicksilver, multi-facetted diamond, this guy.

[@bh0489]

Agreed! He’s one of my favorite musicians, not just a favorite drummer. He’s so creative beyond words.

[@tinfoilhatter]

i agree! i remember reading interviews of him in magazines in 1982, i was like 16, and this guy was the coolest drummer, in the coolest band, on the planet, and i was still one of the first few thousand people to know it!

[@aleksander-white]

A conversation between Stewart and Jeff Goldblum would be almost entirely onomatopoeia.

[@MonoLith2049]

...it could go on for days! I'd take the time off work to watch tho x

[@thefurbeastunderyourbed5012]

Jeff Goldblum: "The world is chaos. Organized, well-orchestrated chaos and nature will always find a way." Stewart Copeland: gets up and jingles through his chaotic candy store.

[@thefurbeastunderyourbed5012]

Goldblum: "The world is made of chaos. Orchestrated, well-organized chaos and nature will always find a way." Copeland: gets up and jingles through his entire chaotic candy store.

[@closebits]

Except Jeff knows Jazz.

[@G60syncro]

@@closebits which makes it even better!! The argument between the two would be EPIC!!!!

[@Bikewithlove]

“Heavy metal is the power of the adult silverback that is denied to the seventeen year old.” This is exactly right!

[@21anthem12]

I want to hire Stewart for my next party. Not to play, just to carry the conversation.

[@christinevr7698]

21anthem12 it’s a lost art! He’s probably got the BEST stories.

[@nonanona-zz6se]

I you wouldn't need to invite anyone else.

[@vai47]

The editing is amazing. Such a smooth transmission of Copeland's energy. Hats off for that.

[@vidvoodoo]

...HIGHLY AGREED!

[@CipherSerpico]

Vaidas *Hi* hats off for that. Thank you, I’ll be here all week.

[@JamesDavisakaRemguy]

@@CipherSerpico Clap clap clap!

[@JamesDavisakaRemguy]

Especially the intro! Imagine all the loose footage of Copeland banging around on various museum artifacts and editing all of it - on time, mind you! - into a cohesive musical piece that crescendos to a Big Finish. That's a lot of man-hours and headaches, folks. Just staggering...

[@WhizMitchell]

Yes I agree this interview was edited very well!

[@kibijit]

"If I could get rid of this, I would have all this here for pizza" I knew there was a reason I liked Stewart Copeland as much as I do.

[@JacobGorny]

I could imagine him working and not leaving that room for at least three pizzas. I'm sure he measures studio time in pizzas.

[@AlexBallMusic]

How can you not love this guy? What a legend.

[@Silvain1]

73 offended jazz musicians...

[@krollpeter]

If you have to play together with him, then you will know the answer to this question.

[@yoyolebatteur]

Ask Sting.

[@mitchellbracey5234]

Sting is a pompous twat.

[@godfather7762]

@@yoyolebatteur is number one

[@ldesaes]

He strikes me as someone with superior intellect. And he's also incredibly fun. Doesn't take himself too seriously, but always makes extremely interesting and valid points about very complex subjects.

[@daveoh13]

17:07: jazz is more fun to play than it is to listen to... brilliant!

[@sclogse1]

Well, I'll challenge that with this. Especially since none of us can play this. Cannonball Adderley and Oleo. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pWLMnp59qZeao8k

[@jeffn.2659]

Totally confirmed my suspicions! Lol

[@the_original_Bilb_Ono]

This is true for literally any style of music. This is why I kill myself practicing. when it works it really works and you get high on it. You fall into the zone and man it's nothing like it.

[@EverybodyBurts]

He is not wrong!

[@davedecker1725]

That's why Frank Zappa said "Jazz is the sound of unemployment"

[@abeigor]

"Let's see if I can write EIGHT bars that don't suck."

[@portis_ed]

Someone please give this man a show. I have always loved Copeland's drumming but never knew how funny and cool he is. Thanks Reverb!

[@zekesterboospirit8658]

I can see why Stuart and Neil Peart were such good friends.

[@conjandysecurity]

I thought of Neil when Stew was suggesting drummers are not composers. I thought Neil would disagree.

[@forakermm]

I thought the same thing.

[@RobFlaxMusic]

I aspire to this level of eccentric, caffeinated gear acquisition when I'm his age.

[@bvdek]

haha I know what u mean, and to have the whole house mic'd like that for impromptu jams... man, what a life!

[@Jath2112]

Definitely caffeine.

[@markdemell3717]

You better have a few bucks.

[@charlief.7588]

@@Jath2112 Either caffeine or a good old fashioned case of the blessing that is ADHD

[@KydenBufect]

Stewart Copeland is the most Ultracool dude to ever walk the face of the earth. I am crippled with jealousy and envy at anyone who can call this man their friend.

[@RobBeatdownBrown]

Stu Copeland is THEE prime example of why one should never grow up 💯😊

[@weareallbeingwatched4602]

Looks pretty grown up to me. That isn't a little kid setup. Cables tidy. No dust.

[@zacharywilliams2]

Fancy seeing you here!

[@comprascamaronbrujo7564]

Hi Rob! i subscribed to your channel because i saw one of your videos that was about Copeland hh techniques, makes sense meeting you here!

[@kandigloss6438]

@@weareallbeingwatched4602 That is very not what is meant here.

[@80sruler]

You can see why Sting always wanted to strangle him

[@WombieFerguson]

Always respected Copeland's drumming, but this dude knows his SHIT. I've been sleeping on him hard

[@totigerus]

Wombie he seems pretty boney to sleep on. I’d rather sleep on a roundish drummer like Dennis chambers or the drummer from Paul macarneys band.

[@senormedia]

I'd go for Debbi Peterson or Gina Schock, myself

[@_Only_Zuul]

the big black dude that used to play for prince would be pretty comfy to sleep on.

[@GordonBagshaw-GBEnglishClass]

yes, and steve gadd and bernard purdie

[@stephanemignot100]

@@GordonBagshaw-GBEnglishClass And Nate Smith, John Blackwell...

[@arlacta]

Whenever I see Stewart Copeland, I feel a deep happiness that there is this guy on this planet just having way too much fun for no other reason than having fun. I admire him deeply!

[@sn95_mustang_garage]

Ted Danson has lost his mind.

[@miekgenklefin9616]

WOW.LOLX3.

[@ThePlungerboy]

nice

[@alanduncan1980]

I just commented saying the Ted Danson of drums and then I saw this comment. Lol

[@sn95_mustang_garage]

alan duncan We’re in the same Page, hehe.

[@joycesweeting5675]

ahahahahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

[@Tinclogs]

ADHD in all its glory. What an amazing energy.

[@SUP3RKAPON]

I always thought he has ADHD

[@EverybodyBurts]

According to Police-sources: he and all of his siblings had some sort of such :P All in all, must have been a wild childhood, following your part-time trumpet playing agent-dad to exotic locations...

[@im215exempt]

Watch The Police's live version of "Wrapped Around Your Finger" from 2008 at the Tokyo Dome. Absolute genius reworking of the song, totally driven by Stewart Copeland, standing and playing his percussion tree. He brings true beauty to the already great song.

[@ianalthouse8790]

so true, what a pleasure to see live TWICE! Made my dreams come true to see that band perform as a trio none-the-less without cheesy backup singers.

[@mattderosier9771]

I'm a drummer he rules...doing it now since this is the third time I've watched this.

[@matthewlloyd3651]

Copeland was and is a genius. And his music man cave is a thing of dreams. Very envious. However, I couldn't help but feel a little sympathy for Sting after watching this interview. And A LOT of sympathy for Summers for surviving years on the road with them both. lol

[@xkguy]

The guy is an entertainer. Even in a simple interview he puts out. Some just have it in the blood.

[@cablevamp3163]

“Then there’s Buddy Rich and of course he’s the shit” Legend.

[@magick1969]

Too bad he never mentions Gene Krupa, someone far more similar to Copeland himself.

[@willb5240]

"I actually employ the world's cheapest engineer, my G'damn self" Hahahaha

[@mbrew3244]

"When was the last time you played a Holiday Inn??" " Y'know....a..a...guy can dream..." A man that clever and able to piss off Sting..he's a bit of the alright.

[@AlexSosaBolivia]

This is the ultimate man cave.

[@costa1788]

You want me to believe Frank was a stoolie because YOU said so?

[@WhizMitchell]

Stewart is always humorous whenever communicating. He's a real intellectual when it comes to music, and life. And I have more clarity as to why Sting and Stewart had so much friction between them in the early days. Sting wanted more serenity in the music, whereas Stewart was more of the "clatter boom and bang", which always disturbed Sting's serenity in the music. Also Sting would rarely allow the other members actual songwriting credits of their own during their successful period. This was a great interview!

[@eddievhfan1984]

Before I even heard of The Police, I played Spyro. And this man was *integral* to the experience. Hell yeah, Stewart Copeland!

[@Coffee_dragon16]

Kyle Tekaucic that's how I found out about him, and wanted to found more about him because the music in Spyro is beautiful and well done

[@CaalamusTube]

He wasn't in Spyro Gyra?

[@BibleStorm]

@@CaalamusTube Spyro the Dragon.

[@CaalamusTube]

@@BibleStorm Hahahaha! :P ( I'm old )

[@CaalamusTube]

@Stefano Pavone me neither! Nor even that there were such games! :P I was alive when the Police were big on the Radio! PS Your distant cousins make great Pizza in Syracuse, NY! :]

[@babayaga1767]

i've been playing tama's for 40 years. except when i played pearl on EVERY HIT RECORD

[@JC-zw9vs]

Wasn't it just his snare that was Pearl?

[@james6234]

@@JC-zw9vs yes

[@Msquire666]

Stewart is such a huge geek. I love it.

[@andrewpappas9311]

I could listen to him talk for hours, man, he’s so well-spoken and really damn funny as well

[@ROOKTABULA]

So this is what can happen when your old man encouraged you to play instead of the polar opposite. Huh.

[@chanchaokiitos1184]

ROOKTABULA Yes! And it’s really sad, a tragedy really, that most parents (and school teachers) are so stupid, that they tell you to “get a good job” (and be a slave like them...).

[@bvdek]

+Chanchao Kiitos Agreed. It's the only grudge I hold against my parents and the 'system', that we're taught to believe it's a pipe dream, even if you're talented... That you need to achieve Beatles level success if you want to make a living from it... That only the very very select few ever get to do that. Which of course is total horse shit, all of it... What we should be taught is to do what you love - what means something to you. You can just as easily fail at something you hate, so why not at least TRY to do what you love... at 32 I'm just waking up to this now.

[@timbrown57]

You do need to get a good job. You can do both.

[@timbrown57]

I wouldn't necessarily say it is a pipe dream, but you have to look at the odds and ask yourself if you are willing to live on $400 a week to get to play music for a living. If so, then go for it.

[@thethomasj1795]

This guy is the best. He isn't fake, no pandering, just real.

[@mschmitz57]

I love Stewart Copeland, but you can see here how he must have drove Sting up a wall.

[@davesargent7304]

sting is an ahole

[@TheKinoEye]

Sting. What's that?

[@KurtisC93]

+TheKinoEye - The stage name of Gordon Sumner, a world-renowned singer-songwriter best known as the front man of the popular 1970s-1980s new wave rock band, the Police. He subsequently embarked on a highly successful career as a solo artist, penning hits such as "Desert Rose" or "Fields of Gold". Sting is universally regarded as a musical icon, famous for his reggae-tinged vocal delivery.

[@vidvoodoo]

Love&hate POWER DUO, they were/are. As Lennon/Macca, Jagger/Richards et al. high dynamic (egos maybe) with adequate output. I personally prefered Sting in clinch with Cope *and Summers*. Still - God bless the evolution!

[@christinevr7698]

mondovb Yeah, I don’t think Sting is as playful as Copeland. Wish they could’ve figured it out though. So much more great music The Police could have created together.

[@Kyle-uw4cc]

He reminds me a lot of Ray Manzarek in the way he speaks

[@sarangcemut]

Linda Derekson much livelier version of Ray 😁

[@hanshansen4267]

I could listen for hours. That was one amazing video. Thanks Reverb!

[@yeahdude984]

for real. didn't want it to end

[@gnbman]

Imagine if he redid the original Spyro soundtracks with live instruments. Heck, he could probably do it by himself with all the instruments in that room. 2:07 There's the beginning of Evening Lake already!

[@P3ach3s70]

gnbman That would be heaven!

[@DandamanV]

this guy loves life

[@uyauabing]

The Police without Stewart is like Coffee Latte without coffee.

[@pavanatanaya]

Stewart is Animal's meditation teacher

[@GregHeimbecker]

I think you might have that one backwards...

[@LucasPenido]

Time out: So you finna tell me I’ve been listening to The Police ever since I was 5 yrs old (38 now) thinking Stewart was British! Shiiiii...

[@nicochiari]

Me too man, me too... In fact, you made me realize he is American

[@Colaeroimages]

Whoops, there goes your childhood innocence hahaha

[@LucasPenido]

@@Colaeroimages Fato!!!! 😭😭😭😭

[@StephyM.C.]

Could you imagine being his parent and having to take him into a shop when we was young?? He's pure energy.

[@davedecker1725]

He must have been like a chain saw in a pair of sneakers

[@tonyleeglenn]

That was so entertaining and satisfying. Love how he cuts through all the crap and gets to the heart of what music is - with great energy and humor. Great job with this one Reverb!

[@S7EVE_P]

I love Stewart Copeland. It's like verbal techno - a driving force propelling with such life and energy, it makes most people look half asleep. Stewart was the reason I listened to The Police; as a young drummer I could feel and hear his energy, precision and these amazing chops and grooves, a great drummer and human.

[@Shrebina-kq4cs]

PERFECTLY put.

[@haikat4]

FYI Everybody should know that this man produced the soundtrack of the original Spyro game. This dude invented a whole new genre of music just for one video game. I recommend everybody go listen to the original Spyro OST, it is incredibly unique and good. Hope this comment reaches some ears. Good night!

[@drumsNstuff79]

I love this guy so much! Amazing drummer, composer, and conversationalist!

[@elifoust7664]

More talent than Sting.

[@kotodamamidnight412]

jazz musicians: “you’re not getting laid. you’re not getting paid.” -stewart copeland

[@AnthonyGrauso-xz3py]

He is one of a kind!! We shan’t see his like again

[@lukeluckett310]

He’s so fucking right about the borrowed chest hair I’m 17 and I just wanna be heard heavy fucking metal

[@DannyGadish]

Luke Luckett I'm 15 and Death To All But Metal!!!

[@SXI96]

A Pearl snare drum on all those hits, that's crazy, his snare drum sounds incredible on all The Police records, go Pearl!

[@abarragan2973]

SXI96 I have that snare. It’s amazing and you can get them fairly cheap. 70’s pearl snare with the clam shell throw. It’s often confused for the Jupiter but it’s not.

[@SXI96]

Tbarr73 I need to buy one now haha

[@abarragan2973]

SXI96 there’s two up for bid on eBay as we speak. Just search 70’s pearl snare.

[@abarragan2973]

Water Boy very true! Though I’m a bit ocd which makes me buy the same company but I do have some mismatched snares.

[@abarragan2973]

Water Boy I have a green kit with a purple floor tom and orange snare

[@SteelyDanimal]

I think I found my 20 year older version of myself. You can tell he loves his toy room.

[@dalekenjarvis]

He's well into his 60's. Their is a comfort in that:-)

[@MeuPiano]

One day someone compared Stu Copeland with God. C'mon, he is nice and all... but he is not Stewart Copeland.

[@pizza_tapes]

This was really well done! Great job reverb crew. Stewart is a cool cat with a sick studio space.

[@zagyex]

You think he's a regular person until 7:18

[@Mactatio]

Amazing and fascinating video! Stewart has always been a favorite of mine, both as drummer and composer. Kudos!

[@Barncore]

"I don't have an engineer... i actually employ the world's cheapest engineer...... my god damn self" hahahaha

[@Cascademenace]

You can tell how he became successful.

[@totigerus]

Cascademenace does he seem ambitious to you? Serious question. I’m fascinated by successful people because I’m such a failure at life.

[@Cascademenace]

I wouldn't describe him as ambitious. The adjectives that come to mind are passionate, curious and energetic. Just doing what he loves with his high energy (and talent) brought him his success. I'm just guessing of course.

[@SPAZZOID100]

Cascademenace success relies on luck too.

[@JBmusicart]

Cascademenace yep, he said, I want to do this, and he did it.

[@JBmusicart]

James Reeno success is when preparation and opportunity meet. But you don't find it sitting at home. You gotta be available.

[@renderizer01]

"The cool thing about fretless is you hit a note and then renegotiate" That's exactly what scared and thrilled me all at the same time when I picked up fretless bass in the 80s.

[@rollafilms4601]

Hey Reverb you hit this one outa the park , brilliant editing , Copeland's magical musical mind and boffinery captured perfectly . Watching it again

[@redwhitegray748]

Hey Reverb you created something we’ll all remember. Word up

[@jackstrawfromwichita6168]

I'm watching this on acid and I have no idea what's going on.

[@andym28]

Such a badass from one of the drumming greats to great composer equalizer and spyro.

[@BassByTheBay]

Ya know, I love -- and I mean _looove_ -- Stewart's playing. But I just might love his talking more.

[@adlantian6334]

I'll take an ounce, please.

[@chrissmith7202]

9:26 I couldn’t stop laughing... As I’m watching this video in 2020, I can remember why I started playing the drums in the first place. I’ve been a drummer for over 20 years but I really don’t consider myself a musician because I’ve never made a single dime from playing music at any point. EVER. I’ve not sat behind my own kit for nearly 5 years but watching all of this makes me want to get my shit together and GET MY KIT TOGETHER. Copeland is truly a man among men. He is on another level that some people just can’t comprehend. Inspirational doesn’t begin to describe this dude... ✌️& 🤘

[@zepandguns]

Wasn't expecting anything from this video but shit, it was one of the best thing I've seen on youtube !

[@VM-oi3dk]

So true! Afro-American culture which is a part of all American culture is very different from that of Europe, Africa, the West Indies or any other place where Africans live. The hip, funky not stuffy part of our culture is black and uniquely American.

[@typhoolin]

What an amazing person! I think it's safe to say that certain people are simply "destined" to become legends. Stewart Copeland is an example of an unstoppable force in music. Just Wow~!

[@TheXanUser]

Hey Stewart, can we subscribe to the live feed from your studio? Pretty please.

[@purplealice]

I used to be a radio engineer, and once in a very great while I'd get to mix some music. And there were a few times when the mixing process _became an instrument itself_, jamming along with the piano and the banjo and the congas and the kazoo and the bagpipe and the guy banging on an ashtray with a fork. Those were some pretty transcendent experiences!

[@mr.snicker-doodles7081]

Wow, this guy is amazing. Pre-caffeinated as I like to say...haha..

[@karnubawax]

"Jazz is more fun to play than it is to listen to." LOL! What an EPIC, FANTASTIC INTERVIEW!!! Thank you, Reverb!!!

[@NmpK24]

Anyone giving this a thumbs down needs to be expelled from civilized society

[@neocollective]

Great video-portrait of Copeland in his environment, just like he went to study African music and cultures I feel like we were studying this fantastic creature in its natural habitat. He's as talented as is hilarious ...! Great job guys :)

[@jakubw.838]

Stewart is real-life Dr. Emmett Brown

[@brandonmessner7848]

I wish Copeland and Steve Martin were my gay adoption parents.

[@youmothershouldknow4905]

Brandon Messner A three way including Bill Murray would complete the kind of guidance and admonition that would be most beneficial to my personal growth and learning.

[@augmentedkeys5971]

Don't be fooled. I've met Steve Martin on several occasions. He's arrogant.

[@elitefighter15035]

Big difference between Stewart and Sting interviews. Sting gets very deep into his music world while Stewart has a very entertaining and historical genesis of his musical career, including his escapades in Africa. When I watch his channel, I find it hard to not watch the whole thing. He is as brilliant as Sting, but in a more worldly way. He has great humor as well!

[@awesomebeautiful8782]

Stewart has humility. Sting is egomaniacal.

[@bikesnbeerz]

He is about one of the funniest, most intelligent people I've seen on YT! Plays trombone badly "oh, I can fix that in Protools" :X - see the other videos!

[@davidpike5959]

Yeah, this is the level of madness I want for my retirement.

[@davidpike5959]

Aw yes, he's out his bin. I love this chap.

[@thesmokingguitarplayer2.021]

no wonder sting couldn't stand him after a while....

[@nickknight5543]

Even though he plays a Tama kit his snare drum is actually a Pearl snare. My first kit which i still have is a Pearl kit with Tama hardware.

[@Senortiger]

"He's such a good kook and a genius."I totally love him! ( :

[@peterhaslund]

"But hey, we're into jazz now... so who cares?"

[@chi1837town]

Stewart is the best! Great personality and the best drummer that I have ever heard in my era.

[@Mark-D-Guitarist]

what a studio im jealous, he deserves it for his contribution to music, fantastic drummer...

[@Mistah00d]

He's turning into Steve Martin.

[@augmentedkeys5971]

Don't be too sure of yourself. I've met Steve Martin on several occasions. He's arrogant​.

[@georgeerhard1949]

Actually, Steve Martin is a Stewart Copeland wanna-be with a banjo. And yes, Steve is REALLY GOOD on the banjo!

[@davidnicholashill834]

Love Stewart Copeland, Ive watched this a few times over. Always makes me smile. James Bond. Da-da da da da da da da....mute! 9.15 😂 Yep such a cool guy.

My favourite drummer.

[@BrandonMobley614]

"As you can see, I don't have an engineer. I actually employ the world's cheapest engineer: my goddamn self."

[@Fairlight2cx]

I can never watch Stewart without ending up with a smile that lasts for at least an hour afterwards. He's so talented and so funny!

[@anthonyfrench3169]

I think we have a collaboration between him and Andre 3000

[@LegoDonut18]

Out of all the musicians. He seems to be like he would be the nicest in real life!

[@shmackatrotsky5394]

I clicked on this expecting to watch about a minute or so to check out Copelands studio. I ended up watching the whole thing because the guy is so fucking entertaining! Who knew?

[@drewper73]

gotta love stewart copeland. well, you don't gotta, but you can at least really really like him.