From spyro to Espionage: A Conversation with stewart Copeland
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A prolific composer, drummer, and storyteller, Stewart Copeland reflects on his diverse career, from crafting iconic video game soundtracks to navigating a childhood steeped in international intrigue. His latest project,a touring in-conversation show titled Have I Said Too Much? The Police,Hollywood,And Other Adventures,offers audiences a glimpse into a life less ordinary,and reveals a surprisingly candid outlook on fame,family,and the creative process.
Copeland’s musical journey is remarkably varied. While widely known as the drummer for The Police, a recent recurring question from audiences centers around his work on the 1998 platformer Spyro The Dragon. “Someone always asks me about Spyro,” he notes. “It’s a hugely successful game; they re-did it 20 years after they released it and it was a hit all over again.” He emphasizes the demanding nature of the project, stating, “I worked like a son of a bitch – I could do a lecture about how having to do a great quantity of music leads to great quality of music.Under the gun, you come up with your best stuff.”
Onstage Chaos and Creative Tension with The Police
The dynamic within The Police, however, wasn’t always harmonious.Copeland recounts a particularly memorable incident during a reunion tour performance in Turin,Italy. “I took the tempo up a little high during Andy’s solo on ‘When The World Is Running Down’,” he explains, referencing guitarist Andy Summers. “That happens frequently – Andy is a fucking great soloist,and he gets me a little excited.” The resulting acceleration threw off Sting’s vocals, leading to a heated exchange in front of an audience of 80,000.”he starts screaming at me in front of the audience and he’s waving his arm to show me where the backbeat goes,” Copeland recalls. “And the thought going thru my head – well, the thought didn’t go through my head until later – was: ‘I must kill you now.'” Despite the tension, Copeland maintains the show was “one of the best we ever played – as we’re screaming at each other in front of 80,000 Italians. It burned down Turin.”
Celebrity Encounters and Unexpected Moments
Copeland’s life has been punctuated by encounters with fellow icons, some more awkward than others. He shares a particularly cringe-worthy story involving a run-in with Paul McCartney at a Foo Fighters after-party in Wembley Stadium. “Somebody says, ‘Oh, I smell marijuana’, and so I wander over in that general direction just as somebody’s handing a joint
Musical Tastes and Underrated Talent
In a departure from popular opinion, Copeland identifies David Bowie’s work as “the most overrated album.” While acknowledging Bowie’s undeniable influence and innovation, he admits, “It didn’t work for me. I never wanted to look like that, I never wanted to sound like that, I didn’t get it.I was into Jimi hendrix.”
Turning to drumming, Copeland champions Simon Kirke, who played with Free and Bad Company, as the most underrated drummer. He praises Kirke’s “simplicity” and innate groove, stating, “He is a great example of the fact that great drummers are born, not made. He didn’t have flash metronics, but he had a groove that you just couldn’t argue with.” He also acknowledges the talents of ringo Starr and charlie Watts, but insists Kirke deserves greater recognition.
Stewart Copeland is currently touring with Have I Said Too Much? The Police, Hollywood, And Other Adventures, offering audiences a captivating and frequently enough irreverent look into a life lived on the edge of music, espionage, and rock and roll legend.
