The Police broke up at the heigth of
their succes. That's what we all want to do, no? Fact was
that the members were fed up with the hassle of being
rockstars, touring and most important couldn't stand each
other anymore. So what to do with a lot of money and time
on your hands. Leave for the exotic isle? No way,
in Strange Things Happen drummer
Stewart Copeland takes us on his journey
trough music and life.
Divided into short sections, not in chronological order,
Copeland travels back to Lebanon where he spends much of
his youth as the son of a CIA spy. His father also
happened to be a trumpet player in the Glen Miller band.
Copeland started to play drums early on and knew from the
start that they would be part of his life from then on.
Throughout the book we get first hand insights in the
countless projects and travels he has been involved in.
What about a journey to Africa to jam with Pygmies and
Masai? Next there's his career in film scoring leaving his
kit behind only to pick them up teaming with bass players
Stanley Clarke or Les Claypool. Masters in their own
right. He gets invited to Italy for different projects and
finally catch up with Sumner and Summers to play with his
band of bands. Tensions are running high again.
Strange Things Happen is a fun read by
one of the most influential players on the drums of the
last 50 years. My copy looked liked it was an old book
from the seventies: no great design or fancy paper. But
don't let that scare you. Content rules.
