Stewart Copeland

Most people are going to know Steward Copeland as the man with the sticks in the Police, but he has done a lot more than sit on the sidelines, waiting for Sting to go broke. Part of the reason the Police were never truly acknowledged as a proper Punk or New Wave act is Copeland's technically proficient drumming. A truly amazing percussionist, Copeland spent time with the Progressive Rock outfit Curved Air before forming the Police with Andy Summers. His approach has always seemed to walk the line between cerebral and jungle groove. Drum tech guys melt watching him play, but he's not so technical as to alienate the lonesome Joe who just likes to dance. His natural progression towards Film Scores began as the Police disintegrated in the early '80s and by the end of that decade, he had formed another group, Animal Logic, with bass wizard Stanley Clarke. Although that group has since disbanded, Copeland continues scoring and recording -- even writing for Opera and Ballet.