Wow that 's not a good day. Rest easy Pioneer to Police and I.R.S. founder


Wed., May. 24, 2006 08:06:57 AM MST
LOS ANGELES (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) -- Ian Copeland, legendary music agent, brother of Police drummer Stewart and International Records Syndicate founder Miles, and owner of the Backstage Café bar in Beverly Hills, passed away May 23rd after a battle with melanoma. He was 57.

Copeland was instrumental in the ‘70s and ‘80s music scene, being the first agent to promote independent UK bands in the US at the time, helping England’s exploding punk scene spread around the world.

As the founder of Frontier Booking International, Ian helped several major groups along their way to success, including Adrian Belew, the Buzzcocks, the Cure, Gang of Four, Iggy Pop, Morrissey, R.E.M., Nine Inch Nails, and of course, the Police.

Copeland was born in Virginia, but grew up with the family in the strife-torn Middle East with their busy CIA father. Ian soon turned out to be a problem child, hanging out with the wrong crowds and dodging Lebanese police, and soon left the country. He later joined the U.S. Army, and spent one year in Vietnam.

Ian’s older brother Miles gave him his first break in the music business, as a road manager for an up-and-coming British hard rock act called Wishbone Ash. Traveling between Great Britain and America over the next few years, Ian learned the ropes of the biz, and soon found himself dealing with higher up executives and learning the qualities of persistence and determination.

Copeland gave a backstage account of all of his unusual and fascinating experiences working with marquee performers in his book Wild Thing, which discussed his life, his love of the music, his struggles, and his true rock n’ roll spirit. The book discusses the world of rock from an inside angle, and all of the colorful performers, roadies, groupies, managers, and agents Ian met along the way.

In recent years, Ian could most often be seen behind the bar at his Backstage Café in Beverly Hills, happily cavorting with his often noteworthy regulars, and offering up some of the best rock and roll to be seen in a 100-capacity bar.

Information regarding memorial services are expected to be announced over the next few days.
[Edited 5/24/06 13:16pm]

The article is referring to Ian, the younger brother of Miles & Stewart, not Miles.Anyways, RIP..
[Edited 5/24/06 13:17pm]

PhilG said:

Why did I say Miles..... God, I hate when I do that
Freaking Brothers... at least I didnt say Aaron Copeland

Trickology said:

No biggie, I didn't even know there was a third brother.