It's well known that I am one of the biggest Police fans around. Since they reunited last year, I've been to 5 shows. Most of the time I'm sitting next to some guy who insists on telling me how pathetic it is that all the "chicks" turn out to oogle Sting, and we don't realize what a great drummer Stewart Copeland is, how he doesn't get the respect he deserves, and he's one of the best drummers ever.

Dudes! You're SO preaching to the choir with that one.

I've always been a huge fan of Stewart. And all you have to do to see why is to listen to most drummers today. They do a fair to average job of keeping the beat. Stewart does more than that. The Police started out as a faux punk band, but Stewart's sophisticated rhythms and melodies elevated their music far above their initial ambitions. His work on the hi-hat and off-beat accents gave Police songs a reggae/world feel that was unique in the musical landscape of that time. Heck, they still hold up today.

I also happen to know that Stewart is a nice guy. A genuinely nice guy. A good amount of my friends have had encounters with him, and no one has a bad story to tell about the man. He has a lot of respect for his fans and is really enjoying the ride he's on now. A ride, of course, that is coming to an end this Thursday, with their final concert at Madison Square Garden. I'll be there, thanks to winning a concert on Stewart's website.

If I had a couple of grand lying around, I would SO be bidding on this. Alas I'll have to admire it from afar at Thursday's show, for that's as close as I am going to be getting to this most awesome rock collectible. For the winning bidder, I salute and envy you!

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TAGS: stewart copeland, public television rocks, PBS, WLIW, WNET, the police

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