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Stewart Copeland — a celebrated drummer most known for his time with legendary rock band, The Police — will be kicking off his first spoken-word tour in the U.S. with his first stop at the Bankhead Theater in Livermore.
According to the Bankhead’s website, Copeland’s “Have I Said Too Much: The Police, Hollywood and Other Adventures” will feature the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer talking about his rise to fame with The Police, making movie soundtracks and much more of his other endeavors throughout his prolific career.
“In this special ‘Evening With’ event, Stewart will share stories from his extraordinary life, offering insights into his journey as a performer, musician, entertainer and writer,” according to the Livermore Valley Arts website.
The March 5 event is part of the venue’s Rae Dorough Speaker Series — with Copeland added to the schedule after punk music legend John Lydon (aka Johnny Rotten) canceled his North American tour last year.
Copeland first recruited renowned bassist and singer Sting, along with guitarist Andy Summers, into The Police in 1977. What followed was a celebrated career with four consecutive No. 1 studio albums, several Grammy and BRIT awards and more than 60 million records sold worldwide.
“It’s been quite a ride,” Copeland said in a syndicated interview provided exclusively to the Pleasanton Weekly by LVA.
With timeless classics such as “Message In A Bottle”, “Don’t Stand So Close To Me” and “Every Breath You Take,” The Police became a household name and one of the most influential bands in the world before the trio broke up in 1986.
“It was everything we ever dreamed of and more, yet there was a strange sense of disquiet. There was a strange sense of vertigo,” Copeland said in the syndicated interview. “That’s the best word I can think of to describe the fact that we were just flying high over humanity, and it was really wonderful to be the centre of that attention. But there’s a point where there’s such a thing as too much love, too much adoration, and that becomes oppressive.”
The three musicians did periodically get back together for one-off concerts and a reunion tour in 2007, but it really wasn’t until after The Police’s disbandment that Copeland said he felt creatively free again.
“The recordings with The Police had become hell, so I went off to record a film score for Francis Coppola. I was struck by the relief, the sheer joy, of that music,” Copeland said in the syndicated interview. “The lack of carping and judgment and tension was incredible. To just be making music my goddam self was such a pleasure … It was sheer heaven to learn that there was a world outside of The Police. It was very enticing.”
After The Police broke up, Copeland continued to compose movie soundtracks and additionally began writing books and composed music for operas and ballets, according to LVA.
Last year, Copeland embarked on a trial run of his “Have I Said Too Much” tour in the United Kingdom where he spoke about his life as a performer, musician, entertainer and writer — now he is ready to return to the U.S. to officially kick off his spoken-word tour starting in Livermore.
The show will be set for March 5 starting at 7:30 p.m.. According to LVA’s website, tickets are running out quickly — for more ticket information and to purchase seats, visit livermorearts.org.
