Stewart Copeland recently spoke to Rock History Music and shared insights into his relationship with Sting. While talking about the singer’s charisma, Copeland described him as ‘The Lion King from birth.’
The origins of The Police trace back to Copeland’s vision of forming a three-piece band, for which he required a bass player or guitarist with vocal abilities. Looking back on those days, Copeland recounted his first interaction with Sting.
Implying his immediate realization of the singer’s potential, he revealed why he wanted him in The Police:
“I needed a guitarist or bass player who could sing. I wanted a three-piece band, so either the guitarist or the bass player needed to sing. So, one night off, up in Newcastle, I saw this jazz band had this bass player, and he could sing. I could see he’s got a rather handsome amp, he’s okay, he’s got an amp. He can play bass and sing.
But I guess the decisive feature was the golden shaft of light, celestial light, upon him, lighting up his magnificent ‘brow.’ It was the charisma. That guy, you know, it can be said that success and fame did not swell his head. He was The Lion King from birth.”
Sting’s Addition To The Police
However, securing Sting for The Police wasn’t that easy. Copeland said he had to maintain a constant stream of activities and opportunities to keep Sting engaged as his talent was in high demand:
“The first thing I said to him was, ‘Hi, I’m in London. I’ve got it all going on here. I’m forming a band, it’s looking great; we’re gonna conquer the world! But here’s the thing, I’m just interested in you, not your band.’ He said, ‘Keep talking.’ Okay, I got a free roving agent here. That’s good, but it also defined the next two years of our relationship.
I had to keep talking: ‘We got rehearsals coming up! We got a photo session! We got an interview with Melody Maker! I’m booking dates!’ and, you know, I had to keep talking, keep it going because as soon as Sting got down to London, everybody was after [him]. I mean, it was obvious.”
Copeland on His Relationship With Sting
In another interview on October 27, Copeland revealed that The Police’s final days were fraught with internal strife, particularly during the production of their fifth album, ‘Synchronicity.’ He detailed the mounting tension, attributing it to the difference in their creative visions:
“Sting was looking for a beautiful place and to create something serene and moving and, dare I say, intellectual. For me, it’s about burning down the house — it’s a party.”
He also said that Sting drove him to the edge that he even thought of ‘choking the life out of him.’ You can read more about the story here.
In the band’s formative years, Copeland admitted he shouldered the songwriting responsibilities as part of his efforts to persuade Sting to join The Police. According to him, the turning point for The Police came with Summers’ inclusion, which encouraged Sting to assume the role of the band’s primary songwriter.
Recent Projects From Copeland and Sting
While Copeland is preparing for the November 17 release of the deluxe edition of his work ‘Klark Kent,‘ along with a new book, ‘Stewart Copeland’s Police Diaries,‘ Sting is actively touring. His ‘The My Songs Tour‘ supports his thirteenth solo studio album and includes dates in November and December, with additional shows slated for 2024. Besides, Sting has recently collaborated with artists Marshmello and P!NK on the song ‘Dreaming.‘
The rest of Copeland’s interview is below.
