Stewart Copeland - The Rhythmatist of The Police
Ranked #784 in Music, #22,457 overall
Stewart Copeland: The Police and Beyond
Most people know Stewart Copeland as the drummer for the rock band The Police. But while his work with Sting and Andy Summers was some of his most popular, Stewart has had a long and interesting career since his years with that band. He has been involved with several other group projects including Animal Logic, Gizmo and Oysterhead. He has composed television and film scores, including for the series "Dead Like Me" and "The Equalizer." He has composed operas and ballet scores, and been a featured part of the Italian La Notte della Taranta festival. Recently Copeland composed the score for the European live event "Ben Hur" and a concerto called "Gamelan D'Drum," which premiered in Dallas Texas in February of 2011.
This page is my tribute to Stewart, who happens to be one of my favorite composers and drummers. I hope you enjoy it and perhaps learn something new about his career and solo work! You can also take a fun trivia quiz and add your own opinions about Stewart's work!
Note: Unless otherwise indicated, all photographs on this page were taken by and/or the property of the author, sockii. Page last updated: February 23, 2012
Are You a Stewart Copeland Fan?
Stewart Copeland - A Brief Biography
About the Rhythmatist
Stewart Copeland was born July 16, 1952 in Alexandria, Virginia, third son of CIA operative Miles Copeland Jr. and Scottish archaeologist Lorraine Adie. Stewart spent most of his early years growing up with siblings Miles III, Ian and sister Lennie in the Middle East, in Egypt and Lebanon where his father was assigned. Ian brought home a drum kit one day as he was trying to get a gig with a local beach band that needed a new drummer; however, it soon became clear that Stewart had more innate skill for the kit and his father arranged for him to take lessons with a local jazz musician performing in Beirut. The family moved to England when Stewart was still a teenager, and he attended Millfield school there from 1967 to 1969. He then attended college at the United States International University and UC Berkeley before returning to England to find work as a road manager.
In 1974, Stewart became road manager for the progressive rock band Curved Air, and then performed with them as drummer on their final two studio albums of the 1970s. But by this time it was clear that progressive rock was dying and the music world was ready for something new. Stewart, ever the opportunist, decided it was time to form a punk rock band. One night after one of Curved Air's last gigs, a journalist friend took him to see a local jazz-fusion band called Last Exit. He didn't think much of the band overall, but the singer/bassist caught his attention immediately. He went by the name of "Sting".
With Sting and guitarist Andy Summers, Stewart and The Police would go on to record five studio albums between 1978 and 1983, reaching the heights of rock super-stardom. The band would part ways - although never officially splitting - soon after as each member pursued a solo career. Stewart became involved in film and television scoring, working on such projects as "Wall Street", "Talk Radio", and TV's The Equalizer. He would also work on numerous classically-oriented projects such as ballet scores and a full opera about the Crusades, "Holy Blood and Crescent Moon".
Stewart wouldn't give up rock music completely, becoming involved in drumming for several acts including Animal Logic, Oysterhead and briefly a line-up of The Doors. In 2007 and 2008, The Police went on a massive Reunion Tour, and since then Stewart has released an autobiography, produced new orchestral and opratic work, and scored a live-action production of Ben Hur.
Stewart has been married twice - previously to Sonja Kristina, lead singer of Curved Air, and currently to Fiona Copeland. He is the father of seven children, one of whom, Jordan, now has his own band where he is singer and guitarist: Hot Head Show.
Stewart Copeland Music and More on Amazon
Books, films and other CD albums
Stewart Copeland Video Interviews on YouTube
The Rhythmatist...in his own words!
More about Stewart Copeland
Essays on and Reviews of Stewart's work, by sockii
- Before They Were The Police: Stewart Copeland, Sting and Andy Summers
- A brief introduction to the early days and previous careers of the members of the Police. Their origins and previous gigs, before they were to become one of the biggest bands of the 1980s.
- 10 Great Stewart Copeland Drum Tracks
- My picks for Stewart Copeland's greatest drumming hits!
- Oysterhead: A Brief Introduction
- Introduction to the supergroup featuring Stewart Copeland, Trey Anastasio and Les Claypool.
- Stewart Copeland's "Everyone Stares: The Police Inside Out"
- My review of Stewart's documentary about being in The Police.
- Book Review: "Strange Things Happen: A Life with the Police, Polo and Pygmies" by Stewart Copeland
- My review of Stewart's recently published autobiography. Although most known for his years with the Police, here Stewart shares stories about his life far beyond the arena stage.
- Meeting Stewart Copeland of the Police: One Fan's Story
- My story of first meeting Stewart Copeland when he appeared at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio for an interview and presentation on his career.
- Stewart Copeland's "Gamelan D'Drum" - a Concerto for World Percussion
- More about the collaboration between Copeland and the percussion ensemble D'Drum in 2010.
Psst! It's not Stuart Copeland!
Just a quick note on name spelling - it's not Stuart Copeland, it's Stewart Copeland. Let's get that clear before going any further, okay? As a fan it bugs me to see it spelled wrong so often. Thank you.
Stewart Copeland in the News
The Lastest Headlines and Info on Stewart Copeland
- Three piece icons - The Jimi Hendrix Experience
- Mitchell has often been cited as one of the greatest rock drummers ever, emerging from a jazz background similar to The Police's Stewart Copeland twenty years later. His background allowed him to pull off some phenomenal fills that you hear across ...
- Eight Supergroups with Ridiculous Names
- Members: Trey Anastasio (Phish), Les Claypool (Primus) and Stewart Copeland (The Police). Living creature plus a body part seems to be a reoccurring theme within the supergroup fraternity. I bought The Grand Pecking Order when I went through my jam ...
- Committed Cage insists on doing things his way
- There is no one better than Stewart Copeland when it comes to scoring films. ?Adaptation?: ?It was a workout. I was playing twins and I had to make them completely separate individuals and make it seem like they were talking to each other.
- Nicolas Cage is crazy, and 'Ghost Rider' directors love it
- There is no one better than Stewart Copeland when it comes to scoring films. ? ?Adaptation?: ?It was a workout. I was playing twins and I had to make them completely separate individuals and make it seem like they were talking to each other.
Recent and Upcoming Stewart Copeland Projects
2012 and Future Work by - and featuring - Stewart Copeland
- Stewart to tour Europe this summer with Stanley Clarke! It has recently been announced that former Animal Logic bandmates Stanley Clarke and Stewart Copeland will tour Europe this July. As of yet there appears to be no dates scheduled for elsewhere in the world...but one can hope!
- Stewart launches YouTube Channel! Late in 2011, Stewart began posting a series of cool videos and performances recorded at the Sacred Grove (his home studio). In these clips you can see him jamming with everyone from System of a Down's Serj Tankian to actor Jeremy Piven! Be sure to subscribe to the stewartcopeland.net youtube channel for future videos and updates.
- In January 2012, Stewart Copeland appeared on an episode of A&E's highly popular series, Storage Wars! In it he helped buyer Barry Weiss with a drumkit appraisal - and even found a long-desired piece of equipment for himself. You can see the episode and an additional scene with Stewart at A&E's website.
- Due to be released in February 2012 is German percussion ensemble Ebtonal Percussion's tribute album, "Elbtonal Percussion plays Stewart Copeland." You can watch a preview of this release on YouTube, and it should be a great album for any Stewart Copeland fan!
- Andy Summers autobiography, "One Train Later," is finally set to be turned into a documentary film for future release. The film should include much emphasis on his years with Sting and Copeland in the Police. When exactly the film will see the light of day is unclear, but hopefully some time in the coming year or two.
- An opera adaptation of "Paradise Lost"?! Yes, it does appear that Stewart's next opera will be based on the classic poem by Milton. This project is still in the early stages, according to reports, and will focus on books 5 and 6 of "Paradise Lost" which cover the Archangel Raphael telling Adam and Eve the story of Satan's revolt and the war in heaven.
Download Stewart's Appearance on "Storage Wars" Today!
Season 2, Episode 28: "Don't Bid So Close To Me"
Don't Bid So Close to Me
Amazon Price: $1.99 (as of 02/23/2012)
As per the episode official description: The buyers do battle in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. Dave Hester arrives in a truck big enough to fit his ego AND a massive house hold unit. Darrell and Brandon try to get back on track. Jarrod and Brandi find a vintage mask, hoping to smoke out the competition. And Barry Weiss continues to march to the beat of his own drum, scoring big with a Rock and Roll' legend.
Release Date: 01/11/2012
Stewart's "Sacred Grove" Jams on YouTube
Check out Stewart in action with other musical greats!
Stewart Copeland vs. Neil Peart
Who's the better rock drummer?
It's an eternal debate among all the drum geeks out there: who's the better stickman? Weigh in with your opinion here!
Stewart Copeland or Neil Peart: Who Rules the Kit?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byStewart Copeland
poddys says:
I hate to show my ignorance, but who is Neil Peart? My favourite drummers are Phil Collins (Genesis) and Pierre Ven Der Linden (Focus).
Posted April 29, 2011
fantasticallyfictional says:
Copeland all the way. He keeps his chops real but still very refined and intricate too.
Posted April 19, 2011
sockii says:
Unsurprisingly I gotta go for Stewart. While I appreciate Peart's mad skills, I often find him *too* technically precise and almost "cold" as a drummer. I love the emotion, fun and character of Stewart's playing the best.
Posted February 20, 2011
Neil Peart
JoshK47 says:
I have to go with Peart on this one, not to put down Stewart, of course.
Posted March 05, 2011
Stewart Copeland and Gamelan D'Drum
A video sample of one of Copeland's recent works
Stewart and The Police
The Police - Music Videos
Stewart Copeland in action with The Police
The Police Albums on CD
Some of Stewart Copeland's most famous drum tracks
Stewart Copeland Photos from the 2007-2008 Police Reunion Tour
A few of my favorite photos of Stewart, taken during the tour
Philadelphia, July 2008
Stewart Copeland Drum Tracks: Vote for The Best
Cast Your Vote for Stewart Copeland's Most Impressive Drumming
Stewart's talents as a drummer are legendary. He's repeatedly named in many "Top 10" lists of drummers and cited as an influence and inspiration by many of today's top stickmen (and women). What makes Stewart's playing so unique, beyond his unquestionable technical skills, is his playful touch with the high-hat and complicated polyrhythms. Indeed, in many Police tracks his drumming seems to almost become a lead instrument - perhaps sometimes to the chagrin of bandmember Sting! Stewart's early years growing up in the Middle East certainly have an influence in the rhythms he plays, perhaps more so than the reggae beats of the Caribbean often associated with The Police's music.
Stewart Copeland Soundtracks
Composer for Television, Film and Video Game
Rumble Fish: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Amazon Price: $57.37 (as of 02/23/2012)
Stewart Copeland's first movie soundtrack, for the film "Rumble Fish," was a revelation to me when I first heard it in the 1980s. Unlike any movie soundtrack before - or since - Stewart's percussive approach to the music sets a tense, mystical atmosphere and can be listened to time and time again. It also features the great track "Don't Box Me In," co-written and performed with Stan Ridgway. I honestly resisted actually seeing the movie itself for two decades because I didn't want the film imagery to interfere with the imagery the music had created in my brain for all of those years.
More Stewart Copeland Soundtracks on Amazon
Get These Other Great Scores Today!
Young Stewart Copeland and Curved Air Photos
Unusued publicity shots of the band
Several years ago on eBay, I won the original negatives to a set of unusual publicity photos of Stewart Copeland and Curved Air. These were sold by the original photographer. I'm sharing them here for a rare and unique look at Stewart in his pre-Police days.
Stewart Copeland and Curved Air
Some of Stewart's earliest recorded drumming on record
Stewart Copeland Trivia Quiz!
How well do you know your Copeland trivia?
Are you a big Stewart Copeland fan? Think you know a lot about Stewart? Then test out your knowledge by seeing how well you do on this quiz - and no cheating by looking up the answers!
Stewart Copeland Posters for Sale
Get a Great Vintage Poster on eBay!
Stewart Copeland on Twitter
What Are People Tweeting about Stewart Copeland
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- gahdengremlins
- @colea77 michael mcdonald and stewart copeland... a match made in heaven
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- edyondanker
- http://t.co/2KHsyjFw Stanley Clarke-Flea-Billy Sheehan-Stu Hamm-Marcus Miller-Stewart Copeland-Jam
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- josmengal
- @albertomenacho Stewart Copeland (baterista de POLICE) y el eximio bajista de jazz Stanley Clarke alistan gira: http://t.co/ordhBbkU
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- 909one
- @dylino_ryno maybe just you and stewart copeland!
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- neehui95
- Stewart Copeland Got Style !!!
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- JG_delHaya
- Hay quien marque mejor los ritmos que Stewart Copeland? Cuesta encontrar alguien con las ideas tan claras y frescas a la batería. #ThePolice
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- pmnphxaz
- Neil Peart, Stewart Copeland, Les Claypool, Danny Carey jam session: http://t.co/JmKD9OS9 via @youtube
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- nukketdesigner
- RT @Jazzrockman: Stewart Copeland, uno de los mejores bateristas del mundo fotografiado por Fernando Aceves http://t.co/zJ0DAxBE
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- gudinniphoto
- RT @Jazzrockman: Stewart Copeland, uno de los mejores bateristas del mundo fotografiado por Fernando Aceves http://t.co/zJ0DAxBE
Stewart Copeland Signature Merchandise
Stewart Copeland Signature Merchandise on eBay
Get a Great Deal on Stewart Copeland Cymbals, Snare Drums and More!
Stewart Copeland Websites and Links
The Best Online Resources for Stewart Copeland Fans
- Stewart Copeland: The Official Website
- Stewart's official site. Get the latest news on his projects, exclusive media, and hang out on the biggest forum for Stewart's fans on-line.
- Stewart Copeland - IMDB
- Stewart's page at the Internet Movie Database, where you can see a full list of his film and television credits and scores.
- The PoliceWiki
- One of the biggest, fan-compiled resources for Police fans on-line. Categories devoted to each member of the band: their discographies, a timeline of concerts and appearances, exclusive rare photographs, biographies and much more. Browse and add your own information!
- Stewart Copeland - Wikipedia
- Wikipedia page about Stewart.
- The Police - Official Website
- Official discography, messageboard and news content.
- Stewart Copeland - Tama Drums
- Official artist page at Tama with information on, videos and photos of Stewart's kit.
- Stewart Copeland - Music - iTunes
- Download Stewart Copeland music on iTunes here!
- Stewart Copeland - Drummerworld
- Profile page with photographs, information and music samples.
- Too Kool To Kalypso
- A large archive of Stewart Copeland article transcripts, info and essays. The photo archive is currently down due to software issues but hopes to return at some point in the future.
- Stewart Copeland - Getty Images Photos
- Search results for Stewart Copeland on Getty Images
- Stewart Copeland on Flickr
- Search results for Stewart Copeland photos
- Stewart Copeland - WireImage Photos
- Another listing of photos of Stewart Copeland
Stewart Copeland Collectibles on eBay
Great Deals on Copeland Merchandise!
Stewart Copeland - The Rhythmatist Photo Credits
All photos of Stewart Copeland used in this lens were taken personally by me, sockii unless otherwise indicated. Please do not use elsewhere without asking my permission first. If you enjoyed these pictures, you might enjoy my flickr photosets of The Police in action at:Sockii's Other Pages About The Police
Check out my other Police and Stewart Copeland lenses on Squidoo!
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Painting a Portrait - Of Stewart Copeland!
My step-by-step oil painting tutorial
What Do You Think of Stewart Copeland?
Thanks for reading through my tribute page for Stewart Copeland. I hope you've enjoyed it, and perhaps discovered a few things about Stewart's work you didn't know before. Got anything to say before you go? Leave a guestbook comment here!
Photo: The author, sockii, with Stewart Copeland in May 2005 at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
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Rebeljohn
Feb 7, 2012 @ 5:42 pm | delete
- Really great lens thanks for posting it
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tembrooke
Feb 4, 2012 @ 1:45 pm | delete
- I adored the Police. Seeing the old photos of them brought back great memories! I'm glad to see that Stewart Copeland is still maintaining a successful career.
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AnzE02
Jan 17, 2012 @ 4:06 am | delete
- I really had a great time reading your post. thank you for sharing it to us.
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sousababy
Dec 9, 2011 @ 6:25 am | delete
- Came back to google +1 this gem.
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sousababy
Dec 9, 2011 @ 6:23 am | delete
- Great page, love it - Stewart Copeland is a treasure in the music industry!
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About the Author
by sockii
I've been a fan of Stewart Copeland's work for over 25 years, following him both in The Police and his solo career. I run several websites dedicated to... more »
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The Police in Photographs
A wonderful collection of rock photography
The Police: 1978-1983
Amazon Price: $4.69 (as of 02/23/2012)
Every Police - and Stewart Copeland - fan should own this great collection of photographs from Lynn Goldsmith, who traveled extensively with the band during the 1980s.
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