Probably one of the best interviews I’ve ever watched Stewart do. The part where he talks about being an insensitive star and not realizing it was probably one of the most honest admissions I’ve ever heard. I could listen to Stewart all day long. Great job Ben 👍
Incredible interview. Thanks to Stewart for being so very candid. For me, the key statement was about how difficult it was to live in the environment and proximity of Sting who was getting such outsized attention. It appears to be all about acknowledgment for Stewart. Sadly, I don’t think Stewart felt acknowledged or appreciated enough for his musicianship and influence over the success of the Police. Sting is so talented, so handsome, so made for his time and so praised for it that Stewart felt invisible. Stewart just needed Sting to say, “I think you’re amazing, I couldn’t have done it without you”. I’m not sure Sting thinks that so probably won’t ever say it. But I believe that is true. Stewart brought so much to the Police, I can’t imagine another drummer making those songs work as well as they did. Sting has since had any drummer he chooses and nothing has captured what the Police could do with a song. Andy doesn’t seem to care. Stewart walked about two miles in this interview, he was obviously triggered a little by the discussion. The great news is that now he is getting the acknowledgement he deserves, still not by Sting, which hurts, but the world is embracing Stewart for the master that he is. A good man.
It’s so true. Take Roxanne, if it would’ve kept the original arrangement then it probably would’ve never had the same impact. Maybe the band would’ve tried a bit longer then quit. Maybe Sting would’ve lost confidence and returned back to playing jazz in a regional band. So many maybes. But that song represents what the two opposing approaches and personalities of Sting and Stewart could create, a truly unique and timeless song. Stewart gave those songs the push they needed.
One of the best interviews by any member of The Police ever. Stewart still knows where the bodies are buried and has the receipts. Very glad one of them still does.
Thanks for the great interview. It's a real treat for those of us who have been Police fans our whole lives. Stewart Copeland knows how to keep things in perspective.
Ben, this is one of the best interviews with any member of the Police I've ever heard. Some really beautiful and conscientious questions. So great to listen to, mate. Thank you for this!
What a GREAT interview! Stewart is incredibly talented, intelligent and eloquent. Despite the difficulty, these three musicians created MAGIC together!
Stewart is immensely entertaining in every form, behind the kit and as a interviewee. I would love to be in a band with a dude like that, hard to imagine otherwise…more flam!
Great interview. There was a great group of fans that frequented Ian's Backstage Cafe site before the reunion thing started and I remember that review of his causing a lovely stir. They were the best of times.
😅😅 this is absolutely incredible! Sucha great interview.. it's all so simple what was happening between Stewart and Sting. Stewart sucha lovely guy, funny and smart. Instant like and sub! Brilliant chat 😅😅😃👍🏻
Oh my god, that was one of the best interviews iv heard from stewie boi. I front a police tribute called the copolice and am so into the police world since 78, would love to meet him, wonderful loved it!!!😊
Not your usual "rock star" interview. Lots of empathy both ways. I loved the look on Stewart's face when you said you were a therapist. Kinda hit home with him and he knows what it is to be one as he pointed out that's what his daughter does. I am more than half way through Stewart's diaries book and it is very fascinating. As you pointed out ....I think the beginning;s of The Police were much more collaborative. The story of Roxanne how it was created shows that. I think Stewart nailed it when he said Sting was the older sibling and was worried about someone stealing the food off his table!!!. I think you added some points along this line. The irony is the George Martin story. He went through The Beatles breakup and and was smart enough to stay out of The Police business except for his few words were heeded!!!! Yoda!!!!!
This is an exceptional and meaningful interview of SC - thank you so much!❤️🤗 (Re the part at around 6:09 - about how a drum box could’ve been used for ELT… that’s not true! SC’s contributions plus unique drumming made every song - including ELT - so much better.)
I'm amazed Copeland honest impression of Every Breath You Take wasn't platinum til Andy made that guitar parts...both are really the tight players in the realm of different genres esp. with their instruments...just saw R.Beato interview Andy couple days ago in which he said Sting & Stewart were each other throats playing this song...then Andy made the guitar parts which break the tension & made the song a hit.
So this is Stewart talking about being in the studio at AIR Montserrat. The documentary Under the Volcano, about music producer George Martin's 1980s recording studio in Montserrat of albums Ghost in the Machine and then Synchronicity.
Hilarious about the flam comment. I was drawn to the Police and Copeland's drumming because of the FLAM. It was a signal in my opinion to I'm back here on the drums and here I come ! Not to mention, they were good flams lol
Indeed, a really wonderful interview, Ben. I’ve watched many and you managed to inspire Stewart to share a lot of wonderful new stories, and I loved every minute of it. Thank you so much! Can’t wait for your movie.
Out of all the pop stars I've come across, Copeland is by far the most amenable, fun, self-deprecating, entertaining etc etc.... always a pleasure to listen to him banter on any subject!
And it's just like him to spend most of the interview wandering around in circles in his mancave.... that just so happens to have the most amazing views possible!
Talking about Wrapped Around Your Finger - spoken like a true jazz muso but in the sense of improviser rather than as a stylist. Too much rock of the eighties was contrived and sounded contrived because that element of surprise and instinct and impulse and just playing ye little heart out was gone. Some of the most enduring ensemble music of that decade was from these three guys. Stewart -a unique drummer and percussionist, deeply musical and eloquent and wise too! A joy to listen to.
Fantastic piece by an interviewer who really knows his subject. I missed the streaming of your documentary, Ben and desperately want to see the whole thing. Will it be available to buy one day?
mhhh so where is that synchronicity 40th anniversary album? 2023 is soon gone and nothin sight. and lets be honest, thats sounds too good to be true anyway and i wont believe that until its in front of me on the table! and: thanks for sharing that great interview, love it.
As you can imagine, I get asked about this regularly so I've had to resort to a cut and paste response: If you want to know if there are any updates, any news, any developments - please check my FB page. Link in video description. If nothing is posted, then there's no news that I can share. If there are developments I can talk about, I'll post an update...
When Stew says the Police reunion tour happened and the stylist was aghast at his "schlubby" Gap or Dad style, and had to get him some "snakeskin pants", I get that he's exaggerating for fun, but what did the stylist actually change about his appearance? He looked the same as he always did on the reunion tour except for the white hair. I didn't notice anything about his clothing style that had changed.
@@parsazadeh3201 I understand and appreciate the curiosity - but one reason I took all of my public posts about this down is because I am asked endless questions that I just can't answer yet. Sorry! If and when anything emerges that I can be concrete about, I shall call it from the rooftops.
If you watch the backstage-at-Shea portion of Outlandos to Synchronicities, you can see how playful Stewart & Sting's tussle was (and hear what could've been a rib cracking)!
Whens the synchronicity 40th release? correct if I'm wrong but they've missed the actual date?....which leads me to believe its not gonna happen. someone in the mix seems to drag their heels on all this....2 years ago Andy said there was a live album from 1978 coming....nothing....then he said there was a reggatta release with demos coming....nothing. I'm guessing all these albums are sat somewhere for a final sign off.....They even mixed a live album back in 82.....which never got released.....so thats also sat in a vault somewhere.
Stewart Copeland has always been hard wired and it shows in his drumming. There probably wouldn't have been The Police without ALL 3 band members and his brother Miles Copeland. Loved Stewart as a musician yet his personality is too draining. It's a personality thing yet he KNOWS his shit.
Hmm, Stuart is usually pretty honest but I find it a little strange that he thinks Police disbanding was a 'mutual decision'? It's pretty well established that it was Sting's decision. All the interviews I saw of Andy and Stuart showed them as being hopeful it wasn't a permanent split etc.
I agree that Sting initiated the decision. He observed they had reached their peak, and the only thing left for them was to repeat their success. Andy and Stewart may well have agreed with him. They'd have continued if Sting had wanted to, I'm sure, but they probably agreed. Who knows, about that part. Management at the time had a lot to do with how the end of The Police was handled. Miles didn't want to jeopardise the power-base and financial viability of the brand. Andy's talked pretty frankly about how he hated having to pretend the band hadn't really split.
@@BendeHoedt Sting was in his most fertile and creative phase and wanted to explore other opportunities and see how successful he could be out of the police. I know at the time he said that was a big risk, but it was nothing of the sort. He made a lot of money/fame by then and if his solo stuff went pear shaped he could just go back to the police. Where’s the risk? The real risk was leaving his ‘teacher job with a pension’, but even there he could always go back to teaching. I’m glad he made the decisions he did, but he overstates the risk element : ). Anyway can’t wait to get my copy of police diaries - I noticed my name is printed in the book from a recent Facebook clip Stuart posted : ). Also in February I saw Sting in Queensland vineyards front row - not cheap but worth it - he’s still got the chops, unlike McCartney who really is past it now at 81. I was going to see him live next month but his singing is really bad so will give it a miss, decent seats are about 1k. I’ll save my money for Sting’s next appearance : )
Andy said he was he was surprised they were able to finish synchronicity, the band dynamic was so toxic at that point that it just felt like the last album without anyone saying anything.
I don’t know, I feel like if the Police recorded an “ok” record by their standards it would still sonically surpass a Sting solo album significantly. The contribution is truly 1/3 each member.
As much as I love the band, hearing these stories is just infuriating and exasperating. Is Copeland exaggerating and overstating the schism between them? How can it really be that bad recording and playing together? You've got the best job in the world and you just throw it all away?
