Stewart Copeland: The Police, the split and their current relationships

[@KENDZIification]

Simply, I can listen to him speak all day and all night. A smart, ultra gifted man. Musically and verbally.

[@catherinewilliams9680]

They have always reminded me of three brothers: Stewart was the rambunctious youngest brother and Sting is the ambitious middle brother, with Andy being the wiser, older, calmer eldest brother.

[@garymacmillan6401]

More like the Goodies, I think.

[@M21-m1l8z]

Nicely put.

[@nobragjustfact6107]

This guy is a gem. Love how he is so open an honest about everything.

[@DavidB-rx3km]

I've been watching quite a few of his interviews because I love his drumming, but I've heard nothing interesting come out of his mouth yet, and the fact he is walking round during an interview ffs. He's obviously very smart, but there's no filter to the random and uninteresting nonsense he seems to speak.

[@paulhease1007]

What a talented, wise, introspective and articulate man.

[@jenniferobrien5188]

I love that he can’t keep still for a minute. Stewart’s energy is so authentic.

[@VRPRocks]

100% Never stands still for a second!

[@SteveSteeleSoundSymphony]

@@VRPRocks Walks in a circle.

[@slide4180]

Or draining. Whichever.

[@mcraiderking5690]

He’s my favorite percussionist of all time!

[@jasonandres3898]

I'm the same way when on the phone. Constantly moving. It's like anxiety but keeping it under control. If that makes sense?

[@privatepenguin3137]

I think Stewart got his 10,000 steps in during this interview.

[@johnworthington2116]

Crazy Horse routine.

[@jaytee283]

Superb. As a teenage drummer I loved Stewart. And when I go back to that music it's still brilliant.. These guys are unbelievable.... The wisdom of life Stewart shows in this is also brilliant....Fate threw these people together...

[@nimusworks5475]

Brilliant. Marathon in his beautiful Studio

[@AraliaFresia]

“Walking ‘Round, walking ‘round the room,….” is where Walking on the Moon began.

[@VRPRocks]

😂

[@VRPRocks]

It's one way to keep fit isn't it!

[@nickknight5543]

The Police reunion tour was the most expensive concert I ever attended but it was totally worth it to see them live as I never got the chance to in the 80's.

[@larsberglund6860]

I saw them in Stockholm under the Ghost in the Machine Tour. The were not any good then. But when i saw them in this reunion Tour in 2008. That was so fantastic. They were really good that Night.

[@peace7482]

They cash in on da suckers like you...

[@lucatn]

Same for me!

[@seamusweber8298]

Saw their reunion show at Croke Park, Dublin. My wife is a fan of the band. I always respected their music but I became a fan that night. They played a great show.

[@LauraLynch-zk8jq]

Saw them In the 80s and then with the 20 reunion tour in Tampa! My favorite band!

[@marydean8805]

Great interview… Loved the recounting of their history together… At first felt dizzy with his round and round the studio… But got used to it …I suppose Stewart just felt like walking and talking…Three musical geniuses in one awesome band…. How lucky are we? Many thanks to all three…The Police…forever a favorite!

[@thumpertoon76]

So glad I grew up when these chaps were starting and went to the Moon and back One of my favourites of all time...

[@fillhixx]

The Police are one of the best examples of creative friction in the arts. They fought to create, not to defeat. The goal was distant not in the room. It is invigorating and exhausting.

[@georgemathie8123]

40 years later and synchronicity still packs an emotional punch and even though this would be their last album they went out with a bang and did so in such a creative high i mean how many bands did 36 different sleeve variations that's either totally genius or totally crazy

[@bbb462cid]

Stewart stalking around the room is so relatable. I wander around the place if I'm on the phone too.

[@mrwilliamwonder]

I don’t listen to sting without that drummer. The drumming on Police songs is what drew me in.

[@SolarMumuns]

Have a listen to 10 Summoner's Tales

[@willumpjuh]

What a great interview ! Loved every second of it. They're still my all time favourite band with the greatest drummer ever in the world.

[@danielbrown3461]

Buddy Rich, Gene Kupra, and Neil Pert told the Police Drummer he could be very good with a few lessons.

[@sj6546]

I remember seeing them on their first US tour. It was at a club, and I believe the supporting act was XTC. They were (both) amazing and the Police were already skyrocketing to the top. SC has always been my favorite, a huge talent. Thanks!

[@onelovemon1784]

Insightful questions. I need to remember on a daily basis, eat, drink, sleep, listen to Stewart. 👍🌞

[@miguelservetus9534]

This was so informative and reassuring. Love that they get along despite their differences.

[@JM-db8ez]

Usually adults do that when they stop long enough to remember they're dealing with other humans that (ostensibly) they care about. It's not all us vs them like in politics. More of a family synergy.

[@stephenriggs8177]

One of my best friends is in the fan club, and he got us tickets to reunion tour "warm-up" show in Vancouver. The concert was fabulous, but I was disappointed that not one new song came out of them being together, again.

[@davidatkinson-Music-and-More]

What a fine interviewee. Articulate, open, funny as heck.

[@johnglover4453]

Stewart is one of THE Coolest most down to Earth Cats in music!

[@slide4180]

Down to earth? The guy is practically ricocheting off walls.

[@chrisnizer]

Anytime 3 very talented, very young and energetic, very creative people get together the fur is going to fly. No way to keep everyone at the same level indefinitely. I think it's really cool that they can respect each other's individual creative projects even if it doesn't involve "The Police" as a band. That's one of the main reasons bands break-up, everyone wants to do something different for a change, for a minute at least.

[@jefflewis5546]

Always like the police. Till i recently saw live footage and realized i am really late to the game. I was floored. They scorched the stage. I put them as one of the all time greatest music acts of all time

[@pipandkitty2004]

It’s such a shame that they don’t make music together anymore

[@ChickenatorJr]

Fucking world treasure mr copeland you are the greatest

[@danielbrown3461]

He was ranked about 8th of all time.

[@Shaylok]

They did fine on their own, but together they made magic. A shame they couldn't get along.

[@JM-db8ez]

They did get along, they just had creative friction during the composing period. They also went out on top, they had nothing left to prove or create together. They could only grow further if they took separate roads so that's what they did. Seems that way to me.

[@ricktomlinson6686]

I hope the band members realize many of their fans (almost all I know) love Stewart's "banging stuff" drumming.

[@danielbrown3461]

Peter Criss was better

[@mccloysong]

Well, I gotta sit down and catch my breath after those laps.

[@jasonandres3898]

Love how he explained how each of experience music differently. Great interview wish it was longer.

[@VRPRocks]

Glad you enjoyed it. The full interview can be found on the podcast here: pod.fo/e/13eb73

[@cattnipp]

Very fun interview

[@VRPRocks]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@cattnipp]

@@VRPRocks Keep it up!

[@Oiseaumusic]

Where is he going, lol. Love these guys.

[@catherinewilliams9680]

What is amazing about The Police is that they released 5 albums in 7 years.

[@mazdaman0075]

And every one (except Outlandos d'Amour because I hadn't heard of them yet in Canada) was a day one buy for me. I never experienced that urge with any other band.

[@KENDZIification]

The music industry rode their artists hard, especially the ones doing well. It was normal back then to tour your ass off YEARLY along with promoting a new album. Many labels fed their artists blow to keep them going, especially while touring. What a horrible trap.

[@MrOctober44]

Everyone was banging out albums super quickly in that era. The Cars, Van Halen, and Foreigner all released the same amount in the same time frame.

[@thumpertoon76]

Please do one more world/UK tour

[@jamesbond4633]

I saw Sting perform in my home town a year before The Police reunion tour or so. Most people went ..(a lot of women too) thinking he was going to play his solo jazzier work with a 5 or 6 piece band. Instead it was just a 3some and he played mostly Police songs. It was ok but missing something. My cousin who was there got to go see The Police a year later or so on their reunion tour and he said it was like night and day. With Andy and Stewart they had a chemistry and energy that Sting could not replicate with anyone else. Sadly that is what happens to a lot of great bands. Either break ups or new personnel or time gets them. Very few survive those things and still remain relevant. I think a few do like Robert Plant and Jeff Beck who are still worth going to see. A few others in that category who still push on and are creative but many just become a sort of karaoke show of their past glory. I think there is a lesson there. Not to try and recreate your past glory but to strive forward even if it isn't as popular is probably more personally satisfying and better for your musicanship. Stewart seems to have embraced that and Andy to an extent. Stingo (ha that is a funny reference Stewart made) probably got nostalgic for the old days and when he saw just trying to play The Police music without the other 2 guys just didn't cut it ...I believe he initiated the reunion. At least they got closure for them and their fans while they could still perform at a high level!!!! I like Stewarts explanation and insight into how he and Sting differ in their approach to why they create music. Time is good for those things. Insight and knowledge and perspective. I think they were lucky to be able to experience their "fame" over again and really draw meaning out of it. They were lucky to have had that experience. Stewart seems very content and happy. I hope Stingo and ANdy are feeling the same!!! THanks for the great music Gents!!!

[@ASparkleross]

I loved Sting's (primarily earlier) solo work. But I have ALWAYS said, for better or worse, he would always be one third of a whole to me. There is just *something* about those three musicians together that is sublime in a way that only the three can produce.

[@pam164]

Would never go to see Sting but I would def go to see Police

[@PhilippLenssen]

Sting's softer music needs to mix with Stewart's "just banging" side.

[@miekgenklefin9616]

There's one more album in there.

[@letitbleedadam]

I love the pacing! Very therapeutic

[@Jdeneik]

Very good interview!

[@VRPRocks]

Glad you enjoyed it 👍🤘

[@glendirienzo1365]

It was never personal. Just musical differences.

[@francispower1418]

Nice interview, It says a lot about Stewart Copeland’s remarkable energy levels that he needs to walk in circles around his studio in order to compile his thoughts! When the three of them got together for that reunion tour there was a good joke doing the rounds, we’ll funny story really. Apparently when they opened in (I believe) Vancouver Sting took the microphone and said “ladies and gentlemen I’d like to introduce the band - Stuart this is Andy”. I hope its true! Noyt just great musicians but all three of them are very smart people. As an aside I can think of another power trio that also decided to call it a day whilst at the very top, and also because of artistic differences. Cream.

[@johncalvo1743]

I'll give you another---Rush. Although they disbanded because of Peart's illness, not creative differences.

[@Mizunokami10]

Cream

[@zdrumrguy]

The introducing band bit was done when they did announcement at The Whiskey(?)

[@alir.9894]

Sting is brilliant and great, but Stewart Copeland is the real intellectual.

[@utoobia]

VERY intelligent, articulate and personable. Clearly loves the sound of his own voice too. LOL. But he’s a good guy.

[@Damonm68]

Well explained

[@michaelmirsky492]

I would love to see a Police - Men @ Work tour ❤

[@frankhoward7645]

Next interview, I hope we get to see his left ear.

[@eximusic]

Sting was the source of songwriting talent and the singer for The Police. When he went solo, he was just as popular. The Police was a platform for Sting's music and some really talented bandmates. But not many people remember Stewart's songwriting contributions (I do, and liked his film scores and other band projects).

[@dancarter482]

Sting is incredibly introspective - almost depressive . His lyrics are dark like suicide letters. It was the other two that made it all work with the unique space-jam sound. Sting's solo stuff is _MOROSE_ and can strip the joy out of paradise - without Andy and Stuart it's all too deep and dark.

[@Vergilius78]

@@dancarter482 That is in no way true. Plenty of Sting's solo stuff is beautiful and uplifting. "I was brought to my senses" is one of the loveliest, most optimistic songs there is.

[@kacornish1]

@@dancarter482 NOT true at all… You are only describing a small portion of Sting’s solo music.

[@kingtrance307]

⁠@@kacornish1- It’s his opinion. You’re entitled to yours too.

[@AlmostEthical]

It seems like all the fighting was between Sting and Stewart. I'm a big Andy Summers fan too.

[@ImpartiallySpeaking]

It’s ironic. Sting craved absolute control and in the 40 years since walking away from Stewart and Andy, Sting was never able to score another #1 hit single as a solo artist without the creative conflict which existed within the police

[@MrSitemaster2]

He's had No1 albums and won numerous Grammy awards since, so he's done okay.

[@ImpartiallySpeaking]

@@MrSitemaster2 …and I didn’t say otherwise! But since abandoning Stewart and Andy there’s absolutely no getting away from the fact that Sting’s aspiration for gaining creative independence effectively brought to an end his ability to write and record #1 hit singles which he was only able to achieve through a process of creative conflict within The Police

[@francispower1418]

Sting has had a glorious solo career and Stuart Copeland would give you a clip on the ear with a drum stick for suggesting otherwise!

[@ImpartiallySpeaking]

@@francispower1418 ?? Stewart?? The very same Stewart (Copeland) who recently referred to his former vocalist as a ‘mother f*cker!.’ Safe to say Sting has indeed had a glorious solo career but no where nearly as glorious or as successful as the work he did as one third of The Police and don’t kid yourself on pretending otherwise

[@francispower1418]

@@ImpartiallySpeaking Yes that Stewart Copeland. Lovely guy, great all around musician, good film maker and total fireball of natural energy. I’ve seen it. The energy field.

[@jamesdelaney3797]

They got as big as possible. How to top synchronicity II?

[@frank290862]

I'm getting dizzy!

[@ReturnOfTheJ.D.]

The perfect combination of interviewing with cardio.

[@TheKinoEye]

We've heard this all before, times over. When tf is the new Klark Kent double-live gatefold release?

[@eekk8843]

if only they could have released a stewart version, sting version, and andy version of all their songs...

[@mimoochodom2684]

Stewart. If you look into the camera, I promise I won't hold it against you.

[@johncopple6479]

Mr. Copeland I love you Banging shit and burning down the house. I don't want you or Andy & Sting to become a good karaoke version of your past glory's. ( thank James Bond I stole your line from a comment 5 months ago.) The Glory of the Police is that they existed at the exact time &place when they were supposed to exist! We can never go back! But we can Remember. Mr. Copeland your good friend Neil Peart always said something like " I get get paid to hit things with sticks! ". Make a Little Noise , my friend.🍻👍🎶

[@druharper]

All very well said, it sounds well-practiced.. therapist? Or just constant banging on about it over and over?

[@patton303]

I think of it like this. Sting couldn’t have sold out Dodger Stadium without Stewart and Andy being there.

[@spagzs]

I wish they would of wrote 1 new song when they reunited.

[@ASparkleross]

Stewart getting his steps in while doing an interview lol.

[@TheKinoEye]

A PARABOLA if I ever seen one!

[@pmafterdark]

Loved the Police since the 80's. So glad I got to see them back in 2007. What's Stewart doing, running laps in his living room lol?

[@VRPRocks]

Getting his steps in for the day 👍👍🏃🏃

[@zdrumrguy]

I think deep down, Stewart and Andy were, and probably still are, deeply hurt when they disbanded. Just look at Andy's new documentary. Everything was Sting's call. The break up. The reunion. I can't Sting for that. He's a total prick for whatever reason but damn does/did he write great music.

[@ImpartiallySpeaking]

The reunion tour was very badly let down by Sting’s vocals performed in a lower key than they were ever intended. Rather than being pedantic towards Stewart trying to teach him how to play the drums Sting would have done better to focus on getting his own act together but sadly it didn’t happen 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@paulwilk69]

I missed the reunion tour because I couldnt afford the tickets but I did see them in 1983 on the syncronicity tour and I'm glad I did . I agree with you after seeing the dvd of the reunion tour it seemed to lack enthusiasm ( energy? ) and maybe like you state ( I didnt realise) in the wrong key ! Some songs I thought were done well ( wrapped, message etc ) but overall disappointing.

[@ImpartiallySpeaking]

@@paulwilk69 Hi Paul. You witnessed history seeing them in 1983! It must have been amazing! Nothing could ever compare and in some respects you avoided disappointment by not making it to the reunion tour where it didn’t gel as it use to and so many of Andy’s guitar parts seemed very disjointed where previously the guitar parts fused seamlessly as when you saw them in 1983. ‘The good old days!’ kzbin.info/www/bejne/b3OtqpuHnNxsg6c

[@robertk2007]

The reunion tour was a cash grab and they grabbed a bunch of cash. Shows were good in my opinion

[@ImpartiallySpeaking]

@@robertk2007 good by contemporary standards - but flat champagne compared to the band they use to be in the 80s!

[@michaelr8032]

@@ImpartiallySpeaking John, I saw them in 83 for synchronicity as well. Three shows and REM opened for them. Michael Stipe of REM literally said "thank you for listening". There were tons of "sting me" tee shirts on girls and people in yellow and black (bee) striped shirts and it was LOUD. They were brilliant, so pumped up. I will never forget anything about that show or the people I went to see (all 3 shows) with. Literally the good ole days. I went to see Sting solo after his second solo record. It was very good but completely different. I never went to see him solo again. just me perhaps...

[@keithian215]

No mention of andy?

[@kpec3]

Stewart. How many different versions does he tell?

[@per-kjell4844]

Love Copeland honest, take on the split of the Police

[@darrellwalker5203]

If there wasn't no stewert Copeland it wouldn't be no police.

[@Random-kq4pz]

I'm getting dizzy with Stewart walking in circles!

[@paulrupp9321]

Very humorous 😂😅😂😅😂😅😂

[@russellgraves7396]

Maybe Sting got tired of Stuart running in circles. I love listening to Stuart play ,But sit down and talk in the camera.

[@VRPRocks]

😂😂

[@SwampEye1]

Stu can t stand still, the matter still gets him aggrevated

[@francispower1418]

No really, he’s just like that. I actually met him before Sting did. He was with Curved Air at the time (yes I’m that old) and he was renting a room in a the London home of my neighbors and friends. We didn’t know anything about him other than he was a long, lanky American e who played drums in some band (it was central London and it was really swinging in 1973, so a lot of musicians in that part of town then). We all thought he was like the best big brother because he would come home from the studio or wherever and spend time exhausting us! Give the younger kids piggy back rides does the corridor (v high ceilings). That kind of thing. Even to us kids his energy levels were both palpable and infectious. Really nice guy in real life. Very generous spirit.

[@darrellwalker5203]

He should be the American president coming up.

[@marcschaeffer9198]

He calls hin "Stingo" when he taunts him. 😂

[@robertk2007]

Why is Stewart walking?

[@STLT]

Andy Summers is 80years old.

[@WarinTbone]

I can hear Stewart speak for hours

[@tommccarron324]

I'm dizzy

[@thielees]

Funny how Stewart is all about Sting. Andy is just sort of the ottoman in their living room.

[@achenarmyst2156]

10 y older makes him an antique furniture 😄

[@linjicakonikon7666]

Three top bands that broke up while at their peak: The Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, and The Police.🏆🏆🏆

[@brendanayres7920]

and Milli Vanilli

[@markyjam1]

The Jam

[@KRAZEEIZATION]

The Police were the biggest band in the world after Synchronicity dropped 1983. They never announced a split. Sting played Live Aid solo which was a pity but his solo album Blue Turtles was released a few months before that, so there was no point in going on. The Singles in 1986 had a re-recorded version of Don’t Stand but ironically Copeland wasn’t on it as he had an injury and couldn’t play, so a drum machine was used instead.

[@MrSparklespring]

Not true. He played linn drums with one arm for the re-recording of 'Don't stand so...'!

[@grahammccready2647]

he is walking around but you just know he has the coolest house ever. I'm thinking he has a place in vermont, NH or maybe upstate NY? please not florida, he is way too cool for that

[@foodog777]

Los Angeles!

[@RichV20]

If you search KZbin, there is video of Stewart giving a tour of his pool house studio and the various instruments and knick knacks in it.

[@chadglass7705]

Cannot stand Copeland constantly walking in a circle, had to stop watching but then I listened only. Good info here.

[@robertk2007]

They split up because sting wanted it that way

[@peternagy-im4be]

Sting thought he WAS the band and in his mind was heading for SUPERSTARDOM without the two anchors

[@jefflewis5546]

Seems Stewart has some nervous energy to be rid of !! Great guy !!

[@scottsmith1455]

Sting never came close as a solo artist to the brilliant music the three created. Sting seemed like a nightmare to work with

[@Horizon344]

Interesting that Copeland likes to walk around whilst talking, I'm not alone in doing this then 🤔 Great shame that Sumner couldn't work creatively inclusively with others as his own talent came into fruition as it wrecked a great band before its time was up

[@letitbleedadam]

They are a trinity of destructive creation.

[@achenarmyst2156]

The destructive part were really the two of them. Andy was the nicest guy you can imagine.

[@garysullivan5481]

Sting is great but Stewart and Andy brought the magic factor to everything... As a solo artist, his band sound professional but generic and soulless... Stings at his best with the 3 of them.... Same as Morrissey from the Smiths...

[@theatremusician]

The fact is Sting only wants to use hired guns who will always be subservient to him. I say that as a big Sting fan.

[@cibonthesaint8903]

Why is this dude walking in a circle?

[@freedommasters3236]

All three were astronomically good,however, I feel that Andy and Stewart could not manage Sting´s creative song writing..unfortunately... Just imagine where they would be if they had stuck to it... Miss them..

[@ktreier]

I get the impression from all these post Police interviews is that Sting & Stewart still deal with this better than Andy?

[@FF-bs6hy]

I'm not quite sure this is not Dr. Emmett Brown...

[@VRPRocks]

Great Scott, you could be right!

[@achenarmyst2156]

...after being hit by the lightning.

[@fabriziocamisani5477]

Give it a rest Stewart and gtr over it, it's been over 40 years, thank whatever god you believe in, Sting crossed your path, no matter how important your contribution and it was, it was his song, his lyrics, his voice, and his looks that made that band legendary, without him you would just be a great drummer, lots of those live in anonymity and oblivion..

[@lichtmaler]

What gives you the thought he isn´t over it? He certainly seems at peace.

[@peternagy-im4be]

Sting's favourite person was and remains Sting. Colossal giant sized ego.

[@svgitana2499]

Great interview

[@Baneumann66]

Sting is great. Stewart and Andy made him better. Simple math.

[@lariberaaltamalc]

Sorry! Going giddy watching.

[@xaviermartorivilardebo9089]

Why he has to walk round and round??? Have a rest man!!!

[@mikebon8352]

3 geniuses in 1 room trying to be creative more than the other... And trying to get the others to understand why his work is better, mutliplied by 3... is bound to go off into a screaming competition... at whos is best, has best.. wil be best... Thats why Opperheimer had his own office at manhattan project.. LOL.

[@michaelr8032]

is Stewart counting steps or something? it's so him..

[@petertornabeni602]

You were one of the BEST BANDS - complacency is what killed you bud.