Police drummer says he enjoys a simple life

06/07/2007 10:48 PM, Reuters
Dean Goodman

Stewart Copeland, drummer of reunited rock band the Police, might spend time at fellow band member Sting's country estate in Italy, but he prefers a simpler life.

The Police split over 20 years ago when Sting wanted to pursue a solo career but they are back together this year for a world tour.

During the years apart, Copeland, 54, went on to compose for movies and television while guitarist Andy Summers explored his jazz roots.

Copeland spoke to Reuters about being part of the Police and how their lives have taken different paths:

Q: It's been a long time since the Police first formed. Many changes since then?

A: "We've had as much experience after the Police -- life experience -- as we had before the Police. Sting and I, we were 23 years old when we met, and it's 23 years since the last time we played together. We've grown a lot."

Q: Does Sting's success cause any resentment in the band?

A: "I take great pride in Sting. I don't deserve to because I didn't really create him, but I feel as if I did. I discovered him. I found him up in Newcastle, I brought him down to London. I didn't actually. He was coming down anyway, but I take credit for that. I'm very proud of him. I don't stand for people putting him down. He's a tower of music talent."

Q: So every minute of your life is accounted for in the next year with two North American legs, a European tour, and dates in Latin America, Japan, Australia and New Zealand?

A: "That's right. As a film composer, I'm just one of the cogs in the machine. But as pop star, I am the beans inside the can. I am the can. And if I dent my finger, a lot of people are going to be out of work ... I have a responsibility to a lot of people to keep myself healthy."

Q: Do you hang out together off-stage?

A: "Off and on. We were rehearsing in Italy and we were together for breakfast, all day rehearsing, lunch, all afternoon rehearsing, dinner. After dinner, in the Magic Stingdom in Italy, his palazzo there, his 4,000 acres, we'd go into the stairwell of the palazzo with this incredible acoustics and just play guitars all night."

Q: How do you feel about the 4,000-acre thing?

A: "I have one house (in Los Angeles), I drive a Jeep Cherokee, I live very simply. I discovered in life that I have the same joy in divestment as I once got as a young man in acquisition. I have the perfect house. I'm never leaving this house that I'm in. I might trade my Jeep in for some environment-friendly vehicle of some kind. But I'm not into fancy cars. My watch is a Casio. I live very simply, and I've discovered that half of the so-called luxuries that people strive for do not provide happiness. My happiness comes from my children, my wife, my house that I love that I live in."

Q: Summers was quoted as saying that the obvious thing to do at the end of the tour would be to make another album and tour again. Are you on board with that concept?

A: "No ... really I'm saying that because that's just the mindset. With the Police it's an all-consuming monster. By March, which I think is when we're planning on finishing up, ask me again. But for the moment I am enjoying the prospect of this year because it's just a year."

Reuters/Nielsen